
Discover the best place to eat, drink, shop and explore in Geraldine, Lake Tekapo and Timaru with our guide.
Read more12 Hours in Timaru

The Yellow Door Café

One of the latest additions to Timaru’s café scene, The Yellow Door at the high end of Stafford Street is hard to miss.
The Running Duck

Stepping inside the Running Duck café in the heart of Geraldine is like stepping inside a proper kiwi bach, albeit with great coffee on tap.
Saikou

If you find yourself craving a night of teppanyaki and whisky while in Timaru, point your nose to Saikou.
Hector Black's

If a unique, cosy atmosphere, regular live music and a great selection of beverages sound like your kind of bar, then Hector Black’s is a must-visit.
Bay Hill Books

There is something quite special about stumbling across small, independent booksellers. Bay Hill Books, in the heart of Timaru, is most definitely one of those petite treasure troves for literature lovers.
Dead2b

A must-visit for anyone wanting to create a calm and considered home.
Hydro Café & Twizel Bookshop

Hydro Café has been keeping the good people of Twizel well hydrated for nearly a decade.
Arthur Street Kitchen

Renowned for its delicious breakfast and lunch menu, plus house-made baking and hearty salads, Arthur Street Kitchen takes pride in producing as much as possible on their premises.
Astro Café

Quite possibly the most scenic spot for a flat white in Aotearoa, Astro Café is a coffee shop experience not to be missed when visiting the Mackenzie region.
Barker's Foodstore & Eatery

Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery sits in a stunning setting on the banks of the Waihi River in the heart of Geraldine.
Humdinger Gin Distillery

There’s a sense of discovery when walking down the alleyway off the main street in Geraldine to a former garage workshop, which has been refurbished to house the...
Farm Barn Café

If there was ever a perfect stop to make when on the road with the family, Farm Barn Café on top of Mount Michael in the heart of Mackenzie District is it.
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Carnegie's Restaurant & Bar

Set in a stunning, historical building that was originally built as a Carnegie library in the early 1900s, Carnegie's Restaurant & Bar is a true Mackenzie destination in...
Ministry of Works

Ministry of Works is the social go-to for both Twizel residents and visitors alike.
Mint Folk & Co

Perhaps the most visually appealing cafe in the Mackenzie region, Mint Folk & Co is all about great food, great aesthetic and great service.
Ship Hop Brewing

Timaru’s only microbrewery, Ship Hop Brewing, is a gem awaiting discovery.
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York St Gallery of Fine Art

Creatives of Canterbury rejoice—York Street Gallery of Fine Art in Timaru is here to satisfy your art cravings.
Fairlie Bakehouse

What began as a tiny family business with a team of four thirteen years ago, has grown to be one of the best known and most awarded pie-shops in the country – Fairlie Bakehouse.
The Greedy Cow Café

This sunny corner store café in the heart of Lake Tekapo is a must stop whether you are just passing through or in town for longer.
The Little Red Fox

The Little Red Fox is a contemporary fashion store located in the Mackenzie country town of Fairlie. Housed in a high ceilinged, stone-clad building in the centre of town, natural tones and raw wood beams set the scene for a pleasurable browsing experience.
The Oxford

Ask a Timaru local where to eat in town and chances are they will point you in the direction of The Oxford.
Geraldine Cheese Company

Geraldine Cheese Co. handcrafts small-batch cheese varieties in its petite factory in the heart of Geraldine town centre.
77 Art + Living

Fairlie might not be the first town that comes to mind when thinking of wonderful independent galleries across the motu, but 77 Art + Living is here to change that.
Petronella's Gallery and Bookstore

Lake Tekapo’s only independent bookstore, Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore, offers a sanctuary for both book and art lovers.
Café Verde

Café Verde in Geraldine is known for its luscious garden setting and outstanding food. Located in an old phone-exchange building, this is the local café-goers meeting spot where generations of friends and family come together over a cuppa.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre

Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience and learn about the ancient Māori practice of rock art.
Black & Co

Black & Co is located in the south end of Timaru’s CBD and focuses on quality fashion pieces for men and women, luxurious homewares and unique jewellery, the store is a must-visit.
Dark Sky Diner

Lakefront location, intimate interiors and compelling cuisine make Dark Sky Diner the ultimate Lake Tekapo dining destination.
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Matilda & The Metalman

Matilda & The Metalman sits neatly in a large corner shop space on Fairlie’s main street.
Silverstream Hotel

The Silverstream Hotel, a historical country pub in Kimbell, is an iconic Mackenzie region destination.
Three Creeks

Part museum, part second hand and vintage store, part coffee cart and real fruit ice cream trailer – there is so much to explore at Three Creeks.
Blue Lake Eatery & Bar

Blue Lake Eatery & Bar boasts a menu that’s heavily influenced by the seasons and local produce - and with a French twist on Kiwi classics - think beef cheeks marinated in red wine or hot goat cheese salad with local Mackenzie honey.
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Susan Badcock Gallery & The Mailroom

Explore this unconventional gallery space where contemporary artworks by Susan Badcock and the wider creative Badcock family are showcased alongside other New Zealand artists.
Get to Know the Town of ... Fairlie

Get to Know the Town of ... Geraldine

Get to Know the Town of ... Timaru

Get to Know the Town of ... Twizel

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