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Timaru is a dynamic, industrial port town with a population of 29,000. It is renowned for its Edwardian history and architecture, as well as for its sporting and leisure activities. Visitors can discover Maori rock art sites, surf, mountain bike or snowboard in a single day. Caroline Bay beach, with its golden sands and safe swimming, has been a family vacation spot for over 100 years. The Timaru Botanical Gardens, established in 1874, offer 19 hectares of mature gardens, open daily from 8am to dusk. The town also boasts a rich cultural life, with art galleries and museums. Timaru's lively town center, with its boutiques, cafés and Victorian and Edwardian architecture, is a must for shoppers. Finally, the town is well served in terms of education, health and infrastructure, with an airport offering regular flights to Wellington.