Welcome to Geraldine

Recently the AA Traveller Facebook page conducted a poll on the most popular beaches in NZ. Caroline Bay was rated 4th overall and easily the most popular in the South Island.

The beach is sheltered by the harbour breakwater and is the only sandy beach between Oamaru and Banks Peninsula. March 2014 saw Caroline Bay beach being voted the most popular beach in the South Island.

Allied with the popular swimming beach is the annual summer carnival run by the voluntary Caroline Bay Association. The carnival has been operating for over a hundred years and draws people from around much of New Zealand to attend or assist with its operation. The carnival is a traditional family affair with free concerts, rides and sideshow style games.

Caroline Bay itself is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Timaru Central Business District, being separated from the main shopping area by the South Island Main Trunk Railway lines. The Piazza straddles the railway line and provides access for pedestrians via a grand staircase or via a lift which is unique for a public park in this country. Caroline Bay covers an area of 34 hectares excluding the beach.

• Caroline Bay Beach, Virtue Avenue, Timaru

The Penguins live around the Timaru Port and rock areas. At 40cm they are the smallest penguins in the world. Marine Parade is 1st left at the bottom of the Loop road and is lit by the Port security lights, travel along the road past the skating rink and camper van park and look for a “penguin crossing” road sign. We have a sign board beside the footpath telling you all about the Penguins. They nest amongst the rocks and come ashore after sunset, so dress warmly and wait quietly on the footpath.

• Marine parade, Timaru

The majority of the rock art sites in New Zealand are found in Te Waipounamu, or the South Island. They are widely spread from Fiordland in the southeast to Karamea in the northwest. However, the major concentrations of sites are located in the limestone rich areas of the Aoraki district covering North Otago and South Canterbury. There are two main types of rock art. The art can be scratched or carved into stone, or it can be painted or drawn onto the stone’s surface. In New Zealand it is recorded that the rock art paint was made from animal or bird fat mixed with vegetable gum and soot or kokowai (red ochre) to make black or red paint.

• Landing Services Building 2 George Street, Timaru
• 0800 46 83 262

Kia ora and welcome to the Aigantighe Art Gallery, the home of art in South Canterbury.

The Aigantighe Art Gallery was founded in 1956 and is renowned today for its rich public art collection, innovative exhibitions, and inspiring education programmes. The Aigantighe prides itself on being a friendly and thought-provoking art museum for everyone.

Admission is free.

Aigantighe is Scottish Gaelic for 'at home' and is pronounced 'egg-an-tie'.

• 49 Wai-Iti Rd, Timaru
• 03-688 4424

The South Canterbury Museum has a focus on the natural heritage and history of the South Canterbury region of New Zealand - land, life and people. We collect specimens, artifacts, images, documents and information that can be used to explore the region's heritage.

Extensive collections are housed in a purpose-built wing where they are catalogued and stored. These collections provide the raw materials for our exhibitions, education programmes, research and other activities.

• 16 Perth Street, Timaru
• (03) 687 7212

Opened in December 2001, the garden was established to preserve and honour the collection of old roses gathered over a lifetime by the celebrated rosarian Trevor Griffiths. Designed by the Christchurch architect Sir Miles Warren, the garden comprises a series of geometric beds radiating from the central pergola - clearly seen from the piazza above. The design has strong lines created by the use of steel structures - gazebos and central pergola while arbours link the whole. A small fountain pool and classical bronze figure forms the centerpiece. A planting plan identifies 1150 roses. Besides the old roses English roses are planted in twos and threes to provide continuous flowering with a gradual progression of colour from one end of the garden to the other. December, when the ramblers and noisettes are in flower, is spectacular. The garden is owned by the community and maintained by the Timaru District Council and volunteers.

• Timaru Port, Timaru
• 03 6877200

The Timaru Botanic Gardens are located on 19 hectares of land in south Timaru. This land has been used for gardens and recreation since 1864, when the site was first gazetted as a public reserve.

In 2014 the Timaru Botanic Gardens was recognised as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

The main entrance is in Queen Street near the corner of King Street. To enter you pass through the ornate Gloucester Gates which were opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 1935.

In 1938 land for the Timaru Hospital was subdivided from the Botanic Gardens providing patients and visitors with a lovely environment for rest, recuperation and reflection.

• Corner of King & Queens St, Timaru

Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre is an indoor heated aquatic centre in Timaru featuring:

Main Pool, 25m x 25m - 1.4m to 3.4m deep, 27.8°C (10 lanes) Programme Pool, 17m x 12m - 1.2m x 1.8m deep, 32°C. Variable depth pool. Includes wheelchair access and hydrotherapy area. Programme Pool, 17m x 12m - 1.2m x 1.8m deep, 32°C. Variable depth pool. Includes wheelchair access and hydrotherapy area. Leisure Pool with Splash Deck and Beach Access, 32°C. Toddlers Pool, 33°C. Outdoor 50m Pool (8 lanes). Seasonal pool, closed in winter. Chillax Area - Steam, Sauna and Spa, 38°C. Children’s Water Playground with slides, water jets and buckets. Rapid River Bubble Pit Bombing Tower (3m high) - subject to pool space availability Springboard (1m high) - subject to pool space availability Hoist and ramp access to some pools Spacious private family change rooms Disabled change facilities Large modern change rooms Lift access to gym

• 11 Te Weka St, Timaru
• 03 684 2229

From coastal to sub-alpine, short walks to multi-day hikes, South Canterbury offers a rich variety of tracks and trails to explore on foot or by bike. Enjoy tracks along riverways or the South Pacific Coast, through native forest and wetlands, through parks and reserves, rolling farmland or historic high country stations.

http://www.southcanterbury.org.nz/bikeandwalk

https://www.timaru.govt.nz/community/recreation/walking-and-cycling

• Quarry Road, Timaru

The Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum is the finest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. On display are vintage cars, tractors, farm machinery and plenty of other interesting and unique things that won't be found anywhere else in the world.

• 178 Talbot Street , Geraldine
• 03-693 8756

• The Old Post Office, Geraldine
• +643 693 9070
• louknzclothing@xtra.co.nz

• 7 Talbot Street, Geraldine
• 03-693 8877
• royalindiageraldine13@gmail.com

Get ready for a wicked adventure!

• 2 Arowhenua Street, Geraldine
• 0800 BIG ROCK
• info@bigrockcanyons.co.nz

• 38 Waihi Terrace, Geraldine
• +64 3 693 1101
• geraldine@kiwicountry.co.nz

Great collection of free family friendly activities, treasure hunts, short drives and history.

• Timaru 7910,

From the Geraldine TOP 10 Holiday Park, it is only a 10-minute stroll to the Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve which offers four easy, shady walks through a rare remnant of lowland podocarp and hardwood native forest. Take along a picnic lunch to enjoy!

• Talbot Street ,

The Barkers Foodstore & Eatery is the perfect place to grab a bite and support one of New Zealand's most iconic food companies. The proud Geraldine eatery features a comprehensive menu and cabinet food catering for all tastes, from breakfast to sweet treats! A range of dietary options are available.

• 71 Talbot Street, Geraldine

Sourced by nature for a quiet enjoyment.

• 3a Talbot Street, Geraldine

Take a ride on horseback through some of New Zealand’s most pristine wilderness and natural landscapes

• 121 Townsend Road, Geraldine