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Get to Know the Town of ... Timaru

An old building in Timaru on a sunny day.

The Riviera of the South, Timaru, is a South Canterbury east coast town well worth getting to know. The second largest city of the region, Timaru has so much to offer visitors that it’s pure madness not to have the town on your must-visit-list. From a small selection of great restaurants to wonderful galleries and shopping opportunities galore to interesting after dark activities, make sure you stop in Timaru for more than a flying visit.


Timaru town center is easily walkable and boasts plenty of retail therapy options from fashion outlets to independent bookstores, giftware and beyond. Dotted with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars, you won’t have a chance to get hungry or thirsty while in town either.


With a unique harbour town atmosphere, Timaru is a mix of Southern class and seaside ruggedness. Make sure to take in the plentiful styles of architecture around town, taste a cold one by the town’s only microbrewery and enjoy some unpretentious, yet sophisticated dinnertime service.


To top things off, the landmark of this gem of a town is the stunning Caroline Bay with its picture perfect sandy beach. This is a popular summertime destination for locals, who enjoy walking along the dunes, playing a game of touch on the vast town green, or spotting the resident penguins hiding away in the rocks along the shoreline.


Bring the family, bring your best friend or that special someone and make it a holiday well spent in Timaru.

Towns

Get to Know the Town of ... Fairlie

A sculpture of a man and his dog.
7 Places South Canterbury

Perhaps the cutest little town in the Mackenzie District, Fairlie is that perfect stop-over spot on your journey through South Canterbury, as well as a destination in its own right. Surrounded by rolling hills and snow-capped mountains, there’s a fairy tale sense in the air of Fairlie.

Get to Know the Town of ... Twizel

The Twizel shops on an overcast day.
3 Places South Canterbury

Purpose built in the 1960s to house workers involved in the Upper Waitaki Power Scheme, these days Twizel is a hub for all things outdoors. Located oh-so-close to Aoraki / Mt Cook National park and the Mackenzie basin, this hydro-town is the perfect base for a variety of experiences.

Introducing Geraldine

A streetscape in Geraldine.
6 Places South Canterbury
World-renowned as the hometown of Barker’s, makers of jam, preserves, chutneys, sauces and more, Geraldine is a name familiar to many. A picture-perfect country town, sitting prettily in the heart of South Canterbury on the banks of the trickling Waihi River. Huge, exotic trees line the surrounding town area, as do the lush, green foothills of the Southern Alps. There’s a strong creative scene in this wee town, with a wonderful gallery filled with artworks by local artists, and plenty of uncommon giftware, crafts and produce waiting to be sourced. The compact town centre makes it easy to leave your car behind and explore on foot. A wonderful playground will keep the little ones in your family happy, and plenty of great cafés make refuelling in town an easy task.  The wonderland of giant trees at Peel Forest is just a stone’s throw away, and plenty of activities from horseback riding to rafting, fishing, walking and biking are accessible right from the town’s doorstep. And whether you’re into camping or glamping, there are a number of accommodation options in town, so it’s well worth making Geraldine your destination rather than a mere stop-along-the-way elsewhere.