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New Zealand
> Canterbury > Timaru
Timaru is
a sea side city in South Canterbury
with a population about 30,000 people and is near to the centre of the South
Island and is 2 - 3 hours driving time or 160 kilometres south of
Christchurch and 200 kilometres north of
Dunedin.
It is an excellent location to stop and
relax from ones travels, or as a base from which to
explore the South Canterbury region
including the nearby towns. One claim to fame is the Racehorse Phar Lap who
was born just to the north of of Timaru. Phar Lap was a New Zealand
thoroughbred horse considered to be one of the world's greatest
racehorses and the Timaru race track is known as the Phar Lap Raceway.
The main street and shopping precinct has been
transformed with plantings of flowers and trees and the historic buildings
restored. Caroline Bay is a
focal point for the town and is overlooked by some of the trendy
cafes. This sheltered beach adjacent to the port is ideal to stroll,
relax and swim, and provides great views of the Alps. At different
times of the year there are concerts, fairs, circuses and entertainment in
the Caroline bay park and sound shell with an annual carnival over two weeks
from boxing day.
Attractions include:
 Exploring the Victorian and Edwardian
architecture of the central city and the historic
churches. There are scenic walks, theaters, factory
tours, bird watching (there is a cormorant colony on the seaward
side of the harbour) and fishing.
Aigantighe
Art Gallery at 49 Wai-iti
Road with it's historic house and garden, home to the
South Island's third largest public art collection.
Local and touring exhibitions also feature. The
sculptures in the gardens were a gift to the nation
after an International Stone Carving Symposium held
near Timaru in 1990.
Open Tues. to Fri. 10.00am-4.00pm, Sat, Sun, Holidays 12
noon-4.O0pm, Closed Mondays. The sculpture gardens are always open. Admission free.
Ph 64 3 688-4424.
South Canterbury
Museum in Perth Street which houses a variety of
fascinating permanent displays looking at the
region's rich natural and cultural history temporary
exhibitions change frequently making repeat visits
enjoyable. An archives reading area is available for
those wanting to trace family history or historical
facts.
The Botanic
gardens off Queen Street feature conservatory, herb
garden, rose gardens (including species gardens),
fernery, local native plants, displays of threatened
species and many specialised collections, bird
aviary, duck ponds and playground. An interesting
Education Centre in the old tea kiosk is open on
Wednesdays and Sundays from 2.00-4.00pm. Park gates
open 8.00am-dusk. Conservatory open 10.30am-4.00pm
weekdays, 12 noon-4.00pm weekends.
Timaru
Festival of Roses
Is a festival held in the last weekend of
November celebrating Timaru's affiliation with
roses. Activities include
workshops/seminars, rose show, floral art display,
embroidery display, opening of a newly designed rose
garden in the Botanic Gardens, garden walks, a teddy
bears' picnic and concerts. The festival
concludes on Sunday the 1st of December with a family
festival day on Caroline Bay with a variety of stalls
and some wonderful entertainment plus wonderful
activities for children. For further information
contact timarufestivalofroses@yahoo.com
Temuka, just a 10 minute drive north of Timaru is home to
Temuka pottery, one of New Zealand's most popular brands and where you can
see the monument to the pioneer aviator Richard Pearse and some relics
of early aviation that were designed and manufactured by Richard Pearse, are
displayed in the Pleasant Point Railway Museum.
Fishing - the region has many rivers well stocked
with trout and salmon.
There is a good range
of restaurants, hotels and
accommodation.
History:
 Timaru to the
Maori was called Te Maru, "place of
shelter", and was a shelter for travellers along
the otherwise exposed coastline. European occupation
began with The Sydney-based Weller Brothers whaling
station around 1838, and what is now the city centre
was a sheep farm run by George and Robert Rhodes,
brothers from Yorkshire, England. Two townships began
with the arrival of the English ship, Strathallan and
it's 120 passengers and Timaru was Incorporated as a
borough in 1868. In 1876, the railway opened and the
development of an artificial harbour began in 1877,
although ships continued to be wrecked in the bay. As
moles were extended into the ocean from the landing
area, sand covered the rocky beach to the north,
forming the popular beach and recreation area of
Caroline Bay.
The Timaru Visitor Centre is centrally located in
the Landing Service Building.
George Street Timaru
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