Timaru is a small coastal city in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in the Canterbury region and is the largest city in the South Canterbury district. The city is situated in the foothills of the Southern Alps and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Rangitata River, and the Waitaki River.
Timaru has a population of approximately 31,000 people, making it the third largest city in the South Island. The city has a rich history and was first settled by Māori in the early 1800s. The city was officially established in 1853 by Captain C.J. Daniell, who named the city after the Māori word for “place of shelter”.
The city is home to a number of historic sites, including the historic Timaru Harbour and the South Canterbury Museum. The harbour is the oldest port in New Zealand and is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The South Canterbury Museum is home to a variety of artifacts and displays that highlight the history of the region.
Timaru is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the University of Canterbury, which is located in the city. The city is also home to a number of parks, including Caroline Bay and the botanical gardens.
Timaru is a popular tourist destination, offering a range of activities such as fishing, sailing, and surfing. The city is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the South Canterbury A&P Show and the Timaru Jazz Festival.
Overall, Timaru is a vibrant city with a rich history and a range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Experience Timaru with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Timaru. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Timaru, New Zealand has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In spring (September-November), temperatures range from cool to mild, with occasional rain showers. Summer (December-February) is usually warm and dry, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s Celsius. Autumn (March-May) is mild and wet, with temperatures ranging from cool to mild. Winter (June-August) is cold and wet, with temperatures often reaching below 0 Celsius. Overall, Timaru has a mild climate with plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Our weather forecast for Timaru helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr. 3rd 2025 Apr. 3rd 2025 | max: 19.0 °C min: 13 °C |
31.7 m/s 47.5 m/s |
67.0 % 23.4 m |
89.2 % 1,009 hPa |
07:54:17 19:21:42 |
|
Apr. 4th 2025 Apr. 4th 2025 | max: 23.8 °C min: 14.7 °C |
34.9 m/s 54.4 m/s |
19.4 % 24.1 m |
64.2 % 997 hPa |
07:55:30 19:19:54 |
|
Apr. 5th 2025 Apr. 5th 2025 | max: 14.9 °C min: 12.8 °C |
25.2 m/s 28.4 m/s |
84.5 % 23.5 m |
83.9 % 1,002 hPa |
07:56:44 19:18:07 |
|
Apr. 6th 2025 Apr. 6th 2025 | max: 15.4 °C min: 9.5 °C |
18.0 m/s 23.4 m/s |
62.2 % 24.1 m |
73.7 % 1,001 hPa |
06:57:57 18:16:20 |
|
Apr. 7th 2025 Apr. 7th 2025 | max: 16.4 °C min: 10 °C |
21.2 m/s 23.0 m/s |
25.1 % 24.1 m |
78.1 % 1,006 hPa |
06:59:10 18:14:33 |
|
Apr. 8th 2025 Apr. 8th 2025 | max: 16.0 °C min: 11.2 °C |
12.2 m/s 16.2 m/s |
57.8 % 24.1 m |
80.2 % 1,010 hPa |
07:00:23 18:12:47 |
|
Apr. 9th 2025 Apr. 9th 2025 | max: 16.6 °C min: 12.9 °C |
12.6 m/s 13.3 m/s |
67.7 % 24.1 m |
83.7 % 1,012 hPa |
07:01:36 18:11:01 |
|
Apr. 10th 2025 Apr. 10th 2025 | max: 16.6 °C min: 12.2 °C |
13.7 m/s 10.4 m/s |
40.1 % 24.1 m |
83.9 % 1,010 hPa |
07:02:50 18:09:16 |
|
Apr. 11th 2025 Apr. 11th 2025 | max: 16.9 °C min: 12.8 °C |
15.1 m/s 20.9 m/s |
52.5 % 24.1 m |
82.5 % 1,011 hPa |
07:04:03 18:07:32 |
|
Apr. 12th 2025 Apr. 12th 2025 | max: 14.3 °C min: 9.1 °C |
37.1 m/s 37.4 m/s |
50.0 % 19.9 m |
76.3 % 1,011 hPa |
07:05:16 18:05:48 |
|
Apr. 13th 2025 Apr. 13th 2025 | max: 12.5 °C min: 7.1 °C |
16.6 m/s 27.7 m/s |
6.8 % 24.1 m |
64.2 % 1,025 hPa |
07:06:29 18:04:05 |
|
Apr. 14th 2025 Apr. 14th 2025 | max: 13.1 °C min: 7.4 °C |
13.7 m/s 15.1 m/s |
37.4 % 24.1 m |
71.4 % 1,025 hPa |
07:07:41 18:02:22 |
|
Apr. 15th 2025 Apr. 15th 2025 | max: 14.9 °C min: 8 °C |
16.2 m/s 22.0 m/s |
41.7 % 24.1 m |
78.0 % 1,023 hPa |
07:08:54 18:00:40 |
|
Apr. 16th 2025 Apr. 16th 2025 | max: 13.5 °C min: 9.8 °C |
11.9 m/s 15.1 m/s |
100.0 % 22.3 m |
87.7 % 1,015 hPa |
07:10:07 17:58:59 |
Would you like to travel to Timaru on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Timaru.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nov. 28th 2025 Friday, 28th of Nov. 2025 | MS Noordam | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Jan. 8th 2026 Thursday, 8th of Jan. 2026 | Norwegian Spirit | 10:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Jan. 9th 2026 Friday, 9th of Jan. 2026 | Seven Seas Explorer | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jan. 26th 2026 Monday, 26th of Jan. 2026 | Silver Nova | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Feb. 2nd 2026 Monday, 2nd of Feb. 2026 | Norwegian Spirit | 09:30 am | 06:30 pm | |
Feb. 5th 2026 Thursday, 5th of Feb. 2026 | MS Noordam | 11:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Feb. 24th 2026 Tuesday, 24th of Feb. 2026 | MS Noordam | 07:00 am | 03:00 pm | |
Mar. 12th 2026 Thursday, 12th of Mar. 2026 | MS Zaandam | 07:00 am | 03:00 pm |
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