NZ’s last affordable beach town? Buyers ditching their mortgage in ‘Riviera of the South’

April 30, 2026

Timaru has it all, including manageable house prices, say agents.

Phar Lap is arguably the biggest celebrity to have emerged from the southern district of Timaru, which tends to fly under the radar compared to its quirky cousin, Oamaru.

But the town of Timaru – a couple of hours between Dunedin and Christchurch – has a rich history outside horse-racing, boasting penguins, shipwrecks, a sandy beach once dubbed the “Riviera of the South,” a port, visiting cruise ships, and a spectacular, award-winning playground with its own website.

It also has affordable housing and a diverse mix of properties on the market. Ricky McLeod, a PGG Wrightson agent, was born and bred in Timaru and, while admitting he can be a touch biased, is a big fan of his hometown and the smaller towns nearby.

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