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Lower Canterbury Sights
Sergio Del Rosso
Timaru, Waimate, Geraldine
Temuka, Pleasant Point, Fairlie, Tekapo
BLACKETTS LIGHTHOUSE - Timaru
Blacketts lighthouse is situated on the edge of Caroline Bay after being moved twice from its original position in 1980 and then again in 2010. Built in 1878, Blackett's Lighthouse is distinguished by being made of timber, this was done solely for financial purposes. It is a survivor from the major programme of lighthouse construction around New Zealand's shores during the 1860s, 1870s and early 1880s.
The designer John Blackett was responsible for 14 timber lighthouses.
Location: Benvenue Avenue, Timaru.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of Dave Margetts, Historic Places Trust.
TIMARU MILLING CO BUILDING - Timaru
James Bruce built a wooden mill on this site in 1878, but this was burned down in 1881. He began rebuilding immediately, and in September 1882 opened the new mill, which was the first in New Zealand to be equipped with a roller milling plant.
Said to be the largest mill in New Zealand about the turn of the century, it is important as a fine working example of Timaru's milling industry, the largest in New Zealand during the wheat boom of the 1880s. Internal features include a considerable amount of early machinery still in use, the polished wooden floors, and the spiral sack slide which connects all the floors. The integrity of this structure and its significance as the mill that revolutionised the flour milling industry in New Zealand makes it an outstanding industrial structure.
​Location: 1 Mill Street, Timaru.
Price: free​
Hours: 24 from outside.
Web:
Photo courtesy of Francis Vallance- vallance.photography@xtra.co.nz.
THEATRE ROYAL - Timaru.
Built in 1877, the Theatre Royal which is considered a Victorian Theatre, serves as the venue for much of Timaru's drama and performing arts. Upon entering you'll notice the entrance foyer is a light filled space which features two grand marble staircases, while the auditorium designed by Henry White, which is not considered to be as grand as the examples of his work in the main centres is still considered a fine piece.
Location: 118-122 Stafford Street, Timaru.
Price: free - Shows will charge.
Hours: Standard business hours - Show times vary, visit the website.
Web: http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/timaru-theatre-royal
Photo courtesy of eventfinder.
ST MARY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH - Timaru
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St Mary's Anglican Church was designed by W.B. Armson and the foundation stone laid in 1880 and took 28 years to build. The church was the vision of Archdeacon Henry William Harper, M.A, who came to New Zealand in Dec 1855 on the "Egmont" from Oxford with his father Bishop Henry John Chitty Harper, the first Primate of the South Island. The church is considered an historic place.
Location: Corner, Church Street and Sophia Street, Timaru.
Price: free, donations accepted.
Hours: 10am till 4pm.
Photo courtesy of rootsweb.ancestry.com
TIMARU FARMERS MARKET - Timaru
The Timaru Farmers Market has a wealth of stalls selling fresh seasonal fruit, veges, cheese, organic goodies such as honey and eggs, meat, value added product, baking and treats, hot food and drinks. There are also a range of gluten free products. You'll also find local farmers & growers with whom you can talk to and find out everything you need to know about what you are buying.
The market is a fantastic environment filled with happy community spirit that showcases local buskers, and a great place to catch up with friends.
​Location: 27 Strathallan Street, Timaru.
Price: free​.
Hours: Every Saturday 9am till 12.30pm.
Photo courtesy of Aoraki Development Business & Tourism
TE ANA MAORI ROCK ART CENTRE - Timaru
The South Island tribe Ngai Tahu have put on display, in an interactive exhibition, a collection of Maori rock art removed from rock art sites in the Aoraki region in the early 1900s. In addition tours are available to places where rock art is still in place. The Te Ana exhibition is in the Timaru Information Centre building. Exhibition design was by Story Inc.
Location: 2 George Street, Timaru.
Hours: 10am till 2pm - Centre tour | 2pm - live site tour.
Price: Centre Tours: $20 Adults, $10 Child | Live Site Tours: $125
Photo courtesy of Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre
PATITI POINT - Timaru

Patiti Point is a popular surf break which offers a left reef break for surfing and bodyboarding. This is a good place for a surf, bodyboard or just a nice walk whilst enjoying the scenery.
Location: Patiti Point, Timaru
Hours: 24.
Price: free.
Web:
Photo courtesy of surf-forecast.com
ATLAS FLOUR MILL - Timaru
Built in 1881 by Dunedin architect, James Hislop for William Evans in 1881. "Atlas" was the brand name for the flour.
The flour mill was built by Evans because he believed that rather than shipping wheat overseas at a loss it would be better to first mill it into flour.
The mill is a category II Historic Place.
​Location: George Street, Timaru.
Price: free​
Hours: 24.
Web:
Photo courtesy of rootsweb.ancestry.com
Photo courtesy of nzmuseums.co.nz
SOUTH CANTERBURY MUSEUM - Timaru
The South Canterbury Museum covers South Canterbury's natural and human history with particular emphasis on Timaru history. Inside you'll find a replica of a Richard Pearse aircraft as well as a display on Caroline Bay and its role as a beachside resort in the early 20 century before car ownership was widespread.
​Location: Perth Street, Timaru.
Price: free​ - Donations accepted.
Hours: Tue - Fri 10am till 4.30pm | Sat - Sun & Public Holidays 1pm till 4pm.
FORMER CUSTOMS HOUSE - Timaru
Now a steak restaurant and regarded as a grand classic revival building, the Former Customs House building cost about £2000 to build in 1902.
Custom duties have been collected in Timaru since 1861.
The design was by Forrester and Lemon from Oamaru.
Location: Cnr Cains Terrace & Strathallan St, Timaru.
Hours: 24 hrs from outside, you'll need to make a reservation to view inside.
Price: free - Dinner charge will apply
Web:
Photo courtesy of rootsweb.ancestry.com
WAIMATE GRAIN SILOS - Waimate
The Waimate silos were the first silos to be built in New Zealand and were registered under the Historic Places Act in 1980. "These reinforced steel silos were built for wheat storage in 1920. They were used for storage during 1920-21, but were thought to be a failure when the wheat did not keep well, possibly because the silos were used too soon after construction. Wheat was stored in them again in the 1960s, this time with success." "The silos were built by Robert Nichol, who migrated to New Zealand from Scotland, and who became a highly regarded Waimate citizen, serving as Mayor."

Location: 166-190 Lower Queen St, Waimate.
Hours: 24
Price: free.
Web:
Photo courtesy of odt.co.nz