Gardens
Stroll through the Timaru Botanic Gardens, a 210ha reserve bordering Caroline Bay with gardens, duck ponds and an aviary. The garden is noted for its work with rare and endangered species and its rose collections. Timaru district also has beautiful private gardens open for tours during summer.
Landing Services Building
The last remaining building of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, it was built in 1870 from solidified lava (bluestone) and contains relics of Timaru’s maritime heritage.
Aigantighe Art Gallery
The home of art in South Canterbury. With frequently changing exhibitions, they also have a great collection of works by local, national, and international artists. There is also a garden surrounding the Gallery which showcases a wide variety of permanent sculptures and is always open to the public. Timaru’s art gallery contains more than 900 works, including the garden of sculptures.
South Canterbury Museum
The excellent museum explores the area’s whaling history, with some good examples of scrimshaw (whale bone etchings). There are also local Maori artefacts and a replica of the first aeroplane designed and flown by local farmer and inventor, Richard Pearse. Pearse was believed to have flown his craft a year before the Wright brothers made their historic flight at Kittyhawk in 1904.
Ski Areas
The town is a convenient base for winter skiers, and there are several ski areas within two hours’ drive including Mt Dobson, Fox Peak, Mt Hutt, Ohau and Tekapo.
Golf Courses
The local golf courses include Timaru Golf Club, Gleniti Golf Club and Highfield Golf Club.
