Why go
- City in Canterbury, New Zealand.
- Served by Timaru Airport (TIU).
History
Timaru is a port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand, 157 km (98 mi) southwest of Christchurch and about 196 km (122 mi) northeast of Dunedin, on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. The urban area's population of 29,300 people is the largest in South Canterbury, and the third-largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch and Rolleston. The town is the seat of the Timaru District, which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka, which combined have a total population of 49,500.
Where to stay
95/99 King Street, Kensington, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · ashleymotorlodge.co.nz
6 Wai-Iti Road, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · bayviaduct.co.nz
154A Selwyn Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · timaruholidaypark.co.nz
51 King Street, Parkside, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · aspenonking.co.nz
52 The Bay Hill, Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · panorama.net.nz
7 Evans Street, Maori Park, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · baywatchtimaru.co.nz
7/9 Princes Street, Parkside, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · fitzgeraldonking.co.nz
39 Elizabeth Street, Seaview, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · staytimaru.co.nz
65-67 Evans Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · parklandstimaru.co.nz
30 Beaconsfield Road, Timaru 7972, New Zealand · glenmarkholidaypark.nz
66 Stafford Street, Timaru Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · theforttimaru.com
26 Cains Terrace, Timaru Central, Timaru 7940, New Zealand · thegrosvenor.co.nz
5 Campbell Street, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · thesanctuarynz.com
31 Craigie Avenue, Parkside, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · avenuemotorlodge.com
93 Beverley Road, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · themagnoliavillanz.com
44 Beverley Road, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · oceanbreezenz.com
16/22 Evans Street, SH1, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · choicehotels.com
14 Grasmere Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · thewhisperingsands.co.nz
5 Craighead Street, Highfield, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
94B Gleniti Road, Gleniti, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
12 Nelson Terrace, Seaview, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
16 Selwyn Street, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
2 Moore Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
112 Evans Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
4 Latter Street, Timaru Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · thehib.co.nz
10 Sarah Street, Timaru Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
5B The Terrace, Timaru Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
8a Washdyke Flat Road, Washdyke, Timaru 7410, New Zealand · northparkmotel.co.nz
36 King Street, Kensington, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · cedarlodgetimaru.nz
10 Evans Street, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · baycitymotorlodge.co.nz
131 Evans Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · ashburyparkmotel.co.nz
42 Evans Street, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · anchormotel.co.nz
27 Evans Street, Maori Hill, Timaru 7910, New Zealand · aaron-court-motel.southislandnz.net
12 White Street, Waimataitai, Timaru 7910, New Zealand
Restaurants & places to go
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 16:30-21:00; Tu-Su 11:30-21:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 3/9 Elizabeth Street · hellpizza.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-We 10:00-22:00; Th-Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · kfc.co.nz
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 15:50-20:30; Tu-Th 11:15-20:30; Fr-Sa 11:15-21:00; Su 11:15-20:30 Features: takeaway · 111 Evans Street, Timaru · reburger.co.nz
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00, Tu-Sa 09:00-23:00, Su,Mo 09:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 62 Theodosia Street, Timaru
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: air conditioning · 44 Stafford Street, Timaru, 7910 · punjabindiantandoor.nz
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Th-Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 12:00-20:00; Mo-We 11:30-20:00 · 16 Royal Arcade, 7910 · sals.co.nz
Sushi, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00 · 233 Evans Street, 7910 · stpierres.co.nz
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-14:00,16:30-20:30 Features: takeaway · 88 Evans Street · sushiand.co.nz
Chicken, Local, Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-20:30 · 291a Stafford Street, 7910 · facebook.com
Restaurant · restaurant · armadillosrestaurantsnz.com
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: takeaway · Stafford Street
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, delivery · 1 & 2 88 Evans Street, Timaru, 7910
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · Evans Street, Timaru
Pita, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Pizza, Restaurant · Features: takeaway
Sandwich, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · King Street
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-17:00; Sa-Su 08:00-16:00 · 233 Evans Street, 7910 · blackandwhitecoffee.co.nz
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: We-Fr 12:00-13:30; Tu-Su 16:30-20:00
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-16:00 · 209 Stafford Street, 7910 · mrsmscafe.nz
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-23:59 · speightsalehousetimaru.co.nz
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 92 Le Cren Street
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant · 84 Evans Street, Timaru, 7910
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · 4A Elizabeth Place, Timaru
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-17:00; Sa-Su 09:00-17:00
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-17:00 · 145 Wai-Iti Road
Sandwich, Restaurant · Sandwich restaurant
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 4A Sefton Street, Timaru
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant · 169 King Street, Timaru, 7910
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · piquenique.co.nz
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Ice Cream · ice cream · 328 Stafford Street
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Airports
Timaru Airport (TIU) 11 km to the centre
CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air New Zealand) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Wellington (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
- Air New Zealand NZ (BEH) · 1 route: Wellington*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Oamaru Airport (OAM) 65 km to the centre
OTA, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Rangitata Island Airport 37 km to the centre
Rangitata Island, CAN, NZ
Waimate Airport 45 km to the centre
Waimate, CAN, NZ
Cattle Creek Airstrip 47 km to the centre
CAN, NZ
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Timaru Airport (TIU); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: TIU has direct flights to 1 destination on 1 airline (incl. Wellington).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Timaru, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing