Timaru and Geraldine Drive

Begin your tour with an orientation drive through Timaru. First take in the Botanic Gardens, which may surprise you with the excellent collections as diverse as Australian plants, conifers and rose species. A border containing the native plants of the Canterbury region is of special note. Endangered plants from around the world can be seen in part of the conservatory complex. Continue to your next stop, Geraldine, in the heart of a prosperous farming area which is especially renowned for its artists and as a haven for retired Kiwis. There are also excellent food outlets, including Barkers Fruit Processors where you can sample the wonderful fruit juices, jams, condiments and toppings. Next to Barkers, you can sample some fresh local cheeses at the Talbot Forest Cheese shop. Your last stop will be Caroline Bay, home to the annual Caroline Bay Carnival during the summer which attracts visitors from all over New Zealand. Possibly the best triumph the Caroline Bay Park achieves is the timber boardwalk on the beach, winding around the artificial sand dunes implanted with native grasses and wetland. You have the option of walking approx. 10-15 minutes back to the ship or continuing by coach.

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Refreshments