Timaru's town centre is compact and walkable. The main attractions — Caroline Bay, the South Canterbury Museum, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Sacred Heart Basilica, and the port — are all within comfortable walking distance of each other and of the main shopping street. Most visitors arriving by car will find the town centre easy to navigate, with free parking available on several central streets.
There is no local bus service worth using as a visitor. Taxis and rideshares are available but the town is small enough that walking is almost always the better option within the centre. To reach Queen's Park (the botanical gardens) or the outer suburbs, a car or taxi is useful.
For regional travel, a car is essentially required. State Highway 1 runs straight through town, and the surrounding Canterbury countryside — Geraldine to the northwest, the Mackenzie Basin further inland — is best explored by driving. Car hire is available locally. The InterCity bus depot is central and the train station is a short walk from the waterfront.