Geraldine

Travel Guide

Geraldine showing a garden, a house and wildflowers
Geraldine showing flowers
Geraldine featuring signage
Geraldine which includes signage
Geraldine showing wildflowers and a garden
Walk through an ancient forest, enjoy the buzz of whitewater rafting, admire fine art and visit a mini observatory in this town at the foot of the Southern Alps.

Explore Geraldine, a pleasant little country town that is known for its vibrant arts scene. Do the Gotham Challenge, gaze at the stars, admire vintage vehicles, float over foaming rivers and find ancient trees.

Geraldine is just a short detour from the highway from Christchurch to Timaru, about halfway down the east coast of the South Island. Set in the Canterbury Region, at the foot of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Geraldine is surrounded by farmland, mountains, forests and rivers.

Get your blood pumping by going whitewater rafting on the Rangitata River. Originating in the Southern Alps, this mighty river pushes through the Rangitata Gorge, which forms the perfect setting for a thrilling ride. Kayaking and exploring waterfalls along the nearby Waihi and Orari rivers are gentler options.

Transport yourself back in time at the Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum to see its eclectic mix of cars and machinery. Keep the transport theme going by driving out to the smaller but also interesting Aviation Museum at Rangitata Airport.

For an out-of-this-world experience, gaze up at the night sky from the Geraldine Observatory. The domed building is regarded as one of the best private observatories in the country, also thanks to the in-depth knowledge of its enthusiastic host.

The next morning, disappear into the depths of the surrounding forests. Nearby Peel Forest is very popular for its ancient podocarp trees and abundant birdlife. Enjoy a short walk or camp overnight to enjoy some of the longer walks. Guided horse rides are great for checking out the scenery at a relaxed pace.

If you are feeling ravenous after all these activities, head to Geraldine’s Central Café and do the Gotham Challenge. The Gotham is a 4.4-pound (2-kilogram) burger that is free of charge, but only if you manage to eat all of it within 30 minutes. If this doesn’t leave you satisfied, nothing will.

Finally, check out the local arts and crafts scene with a visit to one of the many galleries and shops in the area. Browse high-quality local art and get locally made merino wool clothing before heading to cool climate of the nearby mountains.

Geraldine Motels
Geraldine Motels
3 out of 5
97 Talbot Street, Geraldine
The price is P5,090 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
P5,090
P5,853 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 19 - Mar 20
Stay at this 3-star motel in Geraldine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (308 reviews)
"Loved having laundry on the premises. Excellent water pressure from shower. Had extra blankets which we appreciated on a cold rainy night"

Reviewed on Mar 4, 2025

Geraldine Motels
ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge
ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge
4 out of 5
28 Waihi Tce, Geraldine
The price is P4,521 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
P4,521
P5,199 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 4-star motel in Geraldine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve and Geraldine ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (284 reviews)
"Great location to stay but not many options for restaurants for dinner."

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2025

ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge
Four Peaks Motel
Four Peaks Motel
2.5 out of 5
28 McKenzie Street, Geraldine
The price is P4,550 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P4,550
P5,232 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this motel in Geraldine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve and Geraldine Historical ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (146 reviews)
"Lovely place. Really nice owners who are obviously proud of the place. Clean, comfortable and great value. Very convenient for amenities in town..nice town. Would have liked to stay longer."

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2025

Four Peaks Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Phoenix Motel
Phoenix Motel
4 out of 5
215 King Street, Temuka
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Temuka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge).
9/10 Wonderful! (105 reviews)
"Good stop"

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2025

Phoenix Motel
Blue Dolphin Motel
Blue Dolphin Motel
3.5 out of 5
40 Evans Street, Timaru
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Timaru. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
7.8/10 Good! (143 reviews)
"We were near the beach and able to walk to the botanical gardens. We stopped to eat on the way back. Room was spotlessly clean. Bed was very comfortable. Good facilities."

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025

Blue Dolphin Motel
Coldstream Estate - The Whare
Coldstream Estate - The Whare
4 out of 5
1400 Ealing Rd, Coldstream, Canterbury
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly vacation home in Coldstream. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking.
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"So quiet and peaceful. The rooms are very spacious. Lovely views across the farm and it was beautiful sitting on bean bags out on the lawn with a drink. Great magazines plus a huge selection of books for reading and we were provided with an amazing gift basket of goodies. We have stayed at a lot ..."

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2025

Coldstream Estate - The Whare
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do