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timaru
 Canterbury’s
second largest city is surrounded by gently sloping hills, which
enfold the beautiful crescent of Caroline Bay.
Timaru lies halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin, marking the
southern limit of the broad gravel plains that produce the bulk
of New Zealand’s cereal and grain crops. The name Timaru
means ‘The Place of Shelter’ in Maori, as it was one of
the few havens for sea going canoes on this coast. A whaling
station was set up in 1839 and the bay was called
‘Caroline’ after the ship that picked up the whale oil.
 Caroline Bay is Timaru’s main
attraction, drawing many visitors to its safe swimming beach and
popular annual carnival, which provides non-stop entertainment
each Christmas. The Bay has many diversions including a maze,
mini golf, gardens, aviary, landscaped Piazza and wonderful
walks. The Bay Hill and Piazza offer stunning views of the
distant Southern Alps and Caroline Bay. An interesting walk heads
north past the Benvenue Cliffs to the Dashing Rocks. A bright,
vibrant social scene is provided by the restaurants and cafés
that link the beach to the main shopping area. Centennial Park
and the Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit. Take a stroll
along The Shakespeare Walk through the gardens and view the
Griffith Rose Garden, which is the largest in the Southern
Hemisphere.
 The city buildings will be of interest to
architectural enthusiasts. Grand examples of Victorian buildings
constructed in local volcanic bluestone, include the Landing
Service Building, which was used to store cargo in the days
before the port was built. Other impressive buildings are the
Basilica and the Theatre Royal, which was once renowned as the
most ornate building in New Zealand. The Aigantighe Art Gallery
has over 900 works of art including famous New Zealand artists
such as McCahon, Hodgkins and Goldie. The excellent Museum houses
moa-hunter artefacts and examples of scrimshaw (etchings on
whalebone) and other whaling relics. There is also a
reconstruction of the 1903 aircraft used by aviation pioneer
Richard Pearse in his first attempt at powered flight.
This popular seaside resort and city, has much of interest to
offer the visitor.
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