Timaru is the main urban centre for the Central South Island, gateway to the Southern Alps, the high country lakes and the beautiful McKenzie Country. Blue Dolphin Motel is ideally located as a stopover accommodation or a holiday base: 163kms to Christchurch, 199kms to Dunedin, 203kms to Aoraki-Mt Cook and 104kms to Lake Tekapo.

The central shopping area, restaurants, cafes and bars are all in walking distance as are the RSA, the Aigantighe Art Gallery and the South Canterbury Museum. A city of sweeping views, from the Pacific to the Southern Alps Timaru’s range of attractions include wonderful Edwardian architecture, vibrant plantings of flowers and trees, most especially roses for which the district is famous.

The new comprehensive Aquatic Centre is only a block away a 50m heated outdoor pool, is across the road from the Blue Dolphin Motel and Caroline Bay, location of the Rose Festival and Summer Carnival, is a two-minute walk away. A tennis complex, golf and race course are all in proximity. Perfectly located for the keen angler with notable Canterbury rivers in easy reach, your hosts Geoff and Dianne will be happy to advise on fishing opportunities in the area. The fishing season starts on the 1st October and runs through to 30th April — local rivers are renowned for Rainbow and Brown trout.