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The 3 places worth the trip
Places near Timaru by type
All 276 places by distance →One day from Timaru
5 stops, one loop, back by 4:33 pm
52 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.
- Leave Timaru
- Waitarakao / Washdyke Lagoonlake · 45 min
- Rosewill Recreation Reservenature spot · 2 hrs
- Woolshed Gullyviewpoint · 1 hrs
- Claremont Scenic Reservenature spot · 2 hrs
- Tuhawaiki Point Lighthousebeach · 1.5 hrs
- Back in Timaru
Questions people ask
What are the best places to visit near Timaru?
St Mary's Church (church, about 1 km), South Canterbury Museum (museum, about 1 km), Sacred Heart Basilica (church, about 1 km), Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse (beach, about 6 km), Landing Service Building (heritage site, about 1 km), Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre (museum, about 1 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Timaru?
65 places on Spotwander: 16 hill stations & viewpoints, 25 wildlife, forests & gardens, 3 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 3 churches, 5 beaches & coast.
Which is the nearest viewpoint to Timaru?
Benvenue Cliffs, about 2 km by road; Woolshed Gully (12 km) is next.
Which is the nearest sanctuary to Timaru?
Timaru Botanic Gardens, about 2 km by road; Caledonian Sports Ground (3 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Timaru?
Start in Timaru, visit Waitarakao / Washdyke Lagoon, then Rosewill Recreation Reserve, then Woolshed Gully, then Claremont Scenic Reserve, then Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse, and drive back — about 52 km by road in all.

















