Driving SH1 from Temuka to Timaru | Canterbury | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Canterbury Region

Tags: canterbury, driving, new zealand, temuka, timaru

Added: 2 years ago

Driving SH1 from Temuka to Timaru, in the Canterbury region on the East Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

Temuka is a busy little town located in the heart of a rich sheep and dairy farming region, about 15 kilometres north of Timaru. Steeped in history, the small town was once home to Richard Pearse - the man who raced the Wright Brothers to become the first man to fly. In 1902 Pearse flew his home-built machine for a short distance before landing ungracefully on a gorse hedge. While in Temuka you can visit the Richard Pearse memorial.

Popular local attractions include the pottery shop (Temuka is a centre for stoneware production) and a fruit winery. Fishing is big here. The main target is Quinnat Salmon, also known as King salmon or Chinook salmon (November to April). A favourite fishing spot is where the Rangitata and Opihi Rivers meet the ocean.

Timaru is the largest city in South Canterbury and is a seaside city and major port town. The rolling green hills on which Timaru is built were formed from the lava flows of the extinct volcano of Mt Horrible. Timaru's attractions include the Timaru Botanic Gardens, Caroline Bay (with a safe beach for swimming), the South Canterbury Museum and Aigantighe Art Gallery - one of New Zealand's largest art museums.