---
title: "Timaru Cruise Port"
url: https://cruisello.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand/timaru
description: "New Zealand's coastal gateway to the Mackenzie Country"
---

# Timaru

🇳🇿 · New Zealand · Australia & New Zealand

> "New Zealand's coastal gateway to the Mackenzie Country"

## At a Glance

- **Avg. Ships/Day:** 1
- **Avg. Time in Port:** 8.6h
- **Visiting Sailings:** 15
- **Cruise Lines:** 3

## Peak Season

Busiest months: Mar (6 sailings), Feb (4 sailings), Apr (3 sailings)

## About Timaru

Timaru is a small port city on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, between Christchurch and Dunedin. The town sits on volcanic rock, and many of the older buildings use the local bluestone, which gives the commercial district a different look from most New Zealand towns. Caroline Bay, a sheltered beach near the port, has a boardwalk, a playground, and a stretch of sand that is popular with families.

The Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre displays charcoal and red ochre drawings made by early Māori in limestone shelters across the region, some dating back hundreds of years. The Aigantighe Art Gallery occupies a Victorian house and has a mix of New Zealand and European works. The Timaru Botanic Gardens are small but well kept, with a conservatory of subtropical plants. From Timaru, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the turquoise glacial lakes of the Mackenzie Country are about two hours' drive inland. Fish and chips is the default takeaway. The currency is the New Zealand dollar.

## Quick Facts

- **Currency:** NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
- **Language:** English, Māori
- **Timezone:** Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13)
- **Tipping:** Not expected; 10% for exceptional service

## Location

Coordinates: -44.3886, 171.2592

- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/cruise+terminal+Timaru/@-44.38864,171.25917,13z)
- [Open in Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/?q=cruise%20terminal%20Timaru&ll=-44.38864,171.25917&z=13)

## Nearby Ports

- [Lyttelton (Christchurch)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand/lyttelton-christchurch.md): 79 nm
- [Dunedin](https://cruisello.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand/dunedin.md): 95 nm
- [Fiordland National Park](https://cruisello.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand/fiordland-national-park.md): 189 nm

## Cruise Lines Serving This Port

- [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md)
- [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line.md)
- [Princess Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/princess-cruises.md)

## Cheapest Available Sailing

**[View this cruise →](https://cruisello.com/cruises/tasman-roar-melbourne-to-auckland~NCL-SPIRIT-20270401-11.md)**

- **Price:** €1,281 per person (€2,563 total for 2 guests)
- **Cruise Line:** [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line.md)
- **Ship:** [Norwegian Spirit](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-spirit.md)
- **Duration:** 11 nights
- **Departure:** 2027-04-01
- **Itinerary:** Tasman Roar – Melbourne to Auckland

## Featured Cruises from Timaru

Prices are per person, two sharing, in the fare's own currency.

| Cruise | Ship | Line | Departure | Nights | Price |
|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| [Southern Latitude Drift – Auckland, Timaru & Fiordland](https://cruisello.com/cruises/southern-latitude-drift-auckland-timaru-fiordland~PCL-AP-20270201-14.md) | Grand Princess | Princess Cruises | 2027-02-01 | 14 | €1,480 |
| [Tasman Wake – Hobart & Fiordland](https://cruisello.com/cruises/tasman-wake-hobart-fiordland~HAL-NOORDAM-20270228-14.md) | Noordam | Holland America Line | 2027-02-28 | 14 | €2,109 |
| [Southern Tempest – Melbourne & Fiordland](https://cruisello.com/cruises/southern-tempest-melbourne-fiordland~NCL-SPIRIT-20261223-14.md) | Norwegian Spirit | Norwegian Cruise Line | 2026-12-23 | 14 | €2,261 |

## Browse Cruises

- [All cruises visiting Timaru](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md?stopoverPorts=timaru) (15 sailings)

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