Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language
English, Te Reo Māori
Time Zone
NZDT (UTC+13)
Best Time to Visit
Dec–Mar
Typical Duration
14-37 nights
Price Range
From $1,690 pp
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
Yes
Gateway to New Zealand's South Island, offering access to stunning alpine scenery, adventure activities, and the scenic Mackenzie Basin region.
Cruises that visit Timaru
- cruises to Timaru
- Timaru sailings
- Timaru cruises
- 14-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 14-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 14-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 14-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 14-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 15-night Silversea cruise
- 21-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 27-night Seabourn cruise
- 28-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 43-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 90-night Holland America Line cruise
- 96-night Oceania Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Timaru
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Caroline Bay Association
Lots of fun activities for families, a fun day out
Closed
The Bay Hill Bar Restaurant
Impeccable service and broad great value food.
Open · Closes 11 PM
Timaru TOP 10 Holiday Park
I've stayed in campgrounds all over NZ, and Timaru Top10 is second to none.
Bullock Restaurant & Bar
Excellent service, amazing food,best restaurant in timaru.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Speight's Ale House Timaru
Delicious food, friendly service and a table by the fireplace.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
The Warehouse Timaru
Great range and good prices, clean and tidy store
Opens soon · 8 AM
Timaru - Little blue penguins
You can see blue penguins for free in Timaru, New Zealand's South Island!
Open
The Oxford
Best place in Timaru for great well cooked cuisine and great service.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre
There are fun slides and a diving area that keep the kids entertained.
Open
Benny's Again Restaurant
amazingly consistent level of great service and food.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Sopheze
Lovely staff, always friendly and good food for great price.
Open · Closes 4:30 PM
Caroline Bay
Lovely beach and activities for all at the park.
Timaru Botanic Gardens
Take a break in Timaru and enjoy the beachside attractions of Caroline Bay.
Closed
Koji Teppanyaki & Grill Timaru
Well worth it, great value for money and the food was delicious.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Patiti Point
Lovely lookout point as a stop for a walk around Timaru
Open
Street Food Kitchen
Wonderful yummy food, exceptionally fast service.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Pier 64 Restaurant & Bar Timaru
Great friendly service, our favourite meal in all of New Zealand!!
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Saikou
Top restaurant top food top service.
Closed · Opens 12 PM
South Canterbury Museum
Experience timaru culture, good for kids all viewing is free.
Closed
Highfield Village Mall
The largest product selection I have seen in any NW
Armadillo's Timaru
Great service, always great food, lovely atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Ballantynes Timaru
Nice department store, staff were great & easy parking out the back.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
Open
Harlau House Cafe (formerly The Stables)
Friendly, quick service and yummy food at a beautiful location.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Burger Boys
Good portions, good taste, and overall great value.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Aigantighe Art Gallery
Great pottery exhibition
Closed
Timaru Lighthouse - Blackett's Lighthouse
Timaru Lighthouse - Blackett's Lighthouse is a nice Lighthouse.
Open
Curbside Deli
Tasty treats, brilliant service and second to none on site food options.
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Caroline Bay Aviary
What a fun experience to be surrounded by colorful birds.
Closed
Café at The Complex
Fair prices and great selection of tasty, unique items.
Open · Closes 3:30 PM
Canjoy Cantonese Cuisine
The proportions were very generous and the food was very reasonably priced.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM Thu
Sacred Heart Basilica
Well worth the visit if you're in Timaru.
Centennial Park
It's a great park for many activities.
What the Cup
Good sized portion for a very reasonable price and super friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre
Great little centre with some kid’s activities inside.
Closed
Evie's Bar & Grill
Amazing service, delicious food and fabulous place!
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Dashing Rocks
Open
Ceylon 85
Absolutely delicious food with lots of flavour and reasonably priced.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Preen
Excellent info for sizing, fast delivery , easy returns and fun videos
Closed · Opens 9 AM
CHILLIS & MORE
Great service and great clothes
Closed · Opens 9 AM
District Bar & Kitchen
The salmon on the dinner menu is to die for.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Cave Kitchen
Had pizza and tacos here, they were amazing!
Closed · Opens 4 PM
The Sea Breeze
Perfect base for Timaru exploring and work.
Estate Food
The food is always delicious, I especially love the chips and chicken.
Open · Closes 4 PM
Miss Timaru
Beautiful clothes and fantastic service
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Somtum Thai Timaru
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Timaru Booksellers
Excellent selection, friendly and welcoming.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Hello Cyril. Boutique
Very friendly staff, not too pushy like some shops!
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Caroline Eve Timaru
Lovely shop, pleasant helpful staff.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Soul and Co.
Great prices for quality clothing!
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Illuminate Light and Sound Experience (Timaru)
Awesome experience, fun for both old and young
Timaru Night Sky Tours
Closed
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Timaru
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Timaru
Timaru serves as a charming port of call on New Zealand's South Island, welcoming passengers from five major cruise lines including Oceania Cruises, Seabourn, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Silversea. With 19 upcoming cruises and a strong presence during the Southern Hemisphere summer months of December through March, this port is a popular stop on extended 14-night itineraries that explore the best of Australia and New Zealand, connecting travelers to iconic destinations like Sydney, Auckland, and Wellington.
Stepping ashore in Timaru, cruise passengers discover a quintessentially New Zealand experience with easy access to the town's working harbor, historic Victorian architecture, and the stunning natural landscapes of the Canterbury region. Whether you're interested in exploring local galleries and museums, sampling fresh regional produce, or venturing into nearby alpine scenery, Timaru offers the perfect blend of cultural immersion and outdoor adventure during your port day.
Stepping ashore in Timaru, cruise passengers discover a quintessentially New Zealand experience with easy access to the town's working harbor, historic Victorian architecture, and the stunning natural landscapes of the Canterbury region. Whether you're interested in exploring local galleries and museums, sampling fresh regional produce, or venturing into nearby alpine scenery, Timaru offers the perfect blend of cultural immersion and outdoor adventure during your port day.
Cruise Lines at Timaru
- Oceania Cruises (8 cruises)
- Seabourn (5 cruises)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (3 cruises)
- Holland America Line (2 cruises)
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (2 cruises)
- Silversea (2 cruises)
Cruises Departing From Timaru
Cruises Visiting Timaru
Ship Schedule at Timaru
Timaru Location
Other Cruise Ports in New Zealand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Timaru Port known for?
Timaru Port is a sheltered harbour between Christchurch and Dunedin, with coastal scenery and access to beaches.
Where is Timaru located?
Timaru is on New Zealand's South Island, at approximately 44.3833 S, 171.25 E.
What are popular sights in Timaru?
Caroline Bay beach, Victorian precincts, and nearby coastal walks.
When is the best time to visit Timaru?
Autumn to spring offer mild weather and vibrant scenery; penguin sightings are possible along the coast.