Explore Timaru and enjoy superb mountain and sea views as you sample the cuisine from the cafes and wine bars overlooking Caroline Bay. Climb the winding stone steps of St Mary's Church tower for magnificent views of Timaru and the mountains, or browse through our fine Art Gallery or museum..

From December until April you can enjoy a cruise from the Port of Timaru around the South Canterbury coastline to see the Hector's dolphins in their natural environment and with also some of the best views of the Southern Alps to be seen from the Pacific Ocean.

If you are interested in horse riding there is a riding school a kilometre away, or maybe a game of golf at one of the 5 golf courses in and around Timaru.

Closeby there are conservation and beach walks if you are a keen walker, or maybe a stroll in the Botanic Gardens or if you just want to sit out on the balcony of your cottage and relax surrounded by the fragrance of the lavenders and enjoy country life only a few minutes from town.

You can comfortably take a day trip to Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook and for winter recreation we have 3 ski fields within 2 hours away. There is also fishing, boating and tramping in close proximity. If you are a railways and train enthusiast, a 10 minute car trip will take you to a working railway station and steam trains of a bygone era.

Area activities include:

• beaches
• horse riding
• golf/fishing
• walking/tramping
• snow skiing