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South Canterbury Shopping & Markets
Timaru and the smaller towns within South Canterbury NZ - Geraldine, Temuka, Pleasant Point and Waimate - have a range of shops, boutiques, stores, supermarkets and markets to satisfy all needs.
Whether you’re looking for the major New Zealand chain or department stores, friendly local owner operated shops or farmers and craft markets, you'll enjoy shopping without traffic jams and the hustle and bustle of big cities. Sales staff offer personal, friendly service and advice, all major credit cards are accepted and changing overseas currency or travellers’ cheques is easy at local trading banks (Mon-Fri 9:30 am to 4:30 pm).
Shopping hours vary from store to store, but generally most shops are open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Thursday, with some opening a little later on Friday. Many shops open on Saturday and Sunday, particularly Saturday mornings. Supermarkets are open longer hours, seven days a week. Limited grocery items can be purchased from dairies (local corner stores) and larger petrol stations.
Many of Timaru’s stores are located on Stafford Street, from popular chain stores to smaller, more unique retailers. There are petite shopping centres scattered around Timaru, such as the Highfield Shopping Centre and Northtown Mall. The friendly staff at the Timaru i-SITE Visitor Centre, just a steps few minutes walk from the Stafford St shopping area in George St, can provide you with a free central city map to help you find your way around. Downtown Timaru is ideal for retail therapy on foot - you can walk from one end of Stafford St to the other in about 15 minutes. When you're done with shopping, see the Timaru section for highlights of Timaru activities and attractions.
Geraldine is home to several boutique stores and shops selling high quality locally produced giftware, quality New Zealand souvenirs, hand crafted goods and high quality merino wear. Four Peaks Plaza, located next to the Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centre, has long been a popular stopping point for visitors from all corners of the globe. There are many other interesting shops and cafés in central Geraldine to browse within a few minutes walk and when you have finished shopping, a wide araray of Geraldine activities and attractions wait for you and the family to enjoy.
Waimate sports all sorts of treats for the shopper too, such as the sought-after locally made Waimate Knitwear shop, boutique and antique stores and the recently restored Quinns Arcade, built in 1906 by William Quinn, a successful local businessman. Quinn bricks have been used in many notable buildings in Waimate and Timaru and are know to be of very high quality - Quinns Arcade is currently registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a category II building. For activities and attractions in and around Waimate you can enjoy after you have checked out the shops, see Waimate highlights.
For more information about South Island shopping browse our business listings for more information on retail outlets around South Canterbury, and don’t forget that the Timaru and Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centres offer a great range of New Zealand merchandise at reasonable prices.
To browse South Canterbury accommodation options for your New Zealand holiday, click here
Check out Central South Island regional highlights here
South Canterbury Markets
Markets are growing increasingly popular with several centres in South Canterbury NZ holding regular weekend farmers and craft markets.
At Caroline Bay in Timaru, the farmers market every Sunday morning offers fresh local produce, organic and artisan food. Beside the Railway Station, Station Street Market also has a range of produce and crafts.
On the third Sunday of every month, the Phar Lap Raceway (entry off Pleasant Point Highway) is home to a popular local market, drawing local stall holders offering everything from plants to jewellery and second hand goods.
Geraldine and Waimate both have markets – the Geraldines art and craft market is held Saturday and Sunday (weather dependant) with a farmers market over the summer months on a Saturday morning. In Waimate, the market is held every Saturday morning.
Timaru Retail Association
Consisting of over 70 local retail and associated outlets, the Timaru Retail Association works alongside Aoraki Development Business and Tourism to promote retail activity and associated linkages to economic development, tourism initiatives and events for the benefit of South Canterbury business.
For more South Canterbury shopping and markets information, click here to visit ww.timaruretail.co.nz.
For Central South Island accommodation options, click here.
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