Things to do in Geraldine, New Zealand

Don't be fooled by the small size and rural feel of Geraldine - the town is packed with things to do. If you have time, it's well worth staying a night or two. The Vicarage Geraldine is the perfect base for exploring the compact town centre, while the surrounding region is also well worth discovering. 

These are the top 10 things to do in Geraldine, New Zealand, whether you have a single day to look around or a long weekend to explore. 

The Top 10 Things to Do in Geraldine, NZ

1. Walk in Peel Forest
2. Taste locally produced artisan food & drinks
3. Visit our local museums
4. Browse our local galleries and boutique shops
5. Stroll our local walking trails
6. Sample our excellent range of cafes and restaurants
7. Explore our backcountry with thrilling adventure sports
8. Tour one of our nearby farms
9. Play a round of golf
10. Explore the region with day trips from Geraldine

Keep reading for more details about the activities on offer here in Geraldine. 

Things to do in Geraldine, New Zealand 

1. Walk in Peel Forest 

20 minutes inland of Geraldine, this ancient native forest is the South Island's best-kept secret. Filled with towering ancient tōtara trees, native birds, and waterfalls, Peel Forest Scenic Reserve offers an extensive network of well-maintained walking trails. From the 15-minute wheelchair- and stroller-accessible Big Tree Walk to the 5-hour return hike up Little Mount Peel, there is something for everyone here, no matter your schedule or fitness level. 

Popular hikes include: 

• Big Tree Walk (15 minutes)
• Acland Falls Track (30 minutes)
• Fern Walk (1.5 hours)
• Little Mt Peel (4-7 hours)

2. Taste locally produced artisan food & drinks

Taste your way through Geraldine with our array of standout local food producers. From small artisan companies to the flagship Barker's of Geraldine foodstore, Geraldine is a haven for foodies. 

Barker's Foodstore & Eatery - one of the top things to do in Geraldine 

This striking new store combines a cafe with a shop, both showcasing the remarkable range of products from local company Barker's of Geraldine. 

Sample sauces and preserves, taste the signature fruit cordials, and relax with a coffee overlooking the rhododendron dell just behind the cafe. 

Barker's Foodstore & Eatery is located just behind The Vicarage, sharing the same car park, and guests at The Vicarage receive a voucher for a free Barker's product. 

Humdinger Gin Distillery 

Situated in a prominent location downtown, Humdinger Gin is a local distillery that specialises in small batch artisan gins using local ingredients. Drop in for a free tasting and a look at the copper stills. 

Geraldine Cheese Company

The local Geraldine Cheese Company is a prominent artisan cheese producer, working hands-on with small batches to produce award-winning flavours. Visit their shop in Four Peaks Plaza to taste a wide range of varieties, from deer milk cheese to blue cheese. 

House of Hop 

Located 8km south of Geraldine, House of Hop is a microbrewery and restaurant situated in picturesque rural surrounds. Taste the range of in-house craft brews and stay for a delightful meal - but be sure to reserve your table in advance, as the brewery is very popular and only opens on certain days. 

3. Visit our local museums - the perfect thing to do in Geraldine on a rainy day

No matter what subject interests you, you're likely to find a museum that appeals in Geraldine. And if you make a day trip over to Timaru, you'll find two more excellent museums on offer there. 

Here in town, we have five museums to choose from: 

Geraldine Military Museum 

Recently opened on the main street of Geraldine, the Geraldine Military Museum boasts an excellent collection of artifacts and displays covering everything from WWI to the Afghanistan War. This is one of the top military museums in New Zealand and well worth a visit, with display items like a fully-restored German field kitchen, rare vehicles, and a WWI trench that children can play in. 

Geraldine Historical Museum 

The Geraldine Historical Museum showcases the history of the region, including developments of national significance. Interactive displays highlight the pioneers and later residents who made history in the area. 

Three vintage machinery museums 

Geraldine is home to not one but three vintage car and machinery museums. Stop in and marvel at the displays at the Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum, Roger Mahan Heritage Centre, and Route 79 Museum. 

Timaru museums 

Just 45 minutes from Geraldine, Timaru boasts two excellent museums perfect for visiting on a day trip from Geraldine. 

The South Canterbury Museum has an extensive collection focusing on the history and natural heritage of the region. 

Meanwhile, the Te Ana Māori Rock Centre profiles the history and culture of Ngāi Tahu, with one of the most significant collections of ancient Māori rock art in the country. 

4. Browse our local galleries and boutique shops 

Downtown Geraldine is packed with local shops and galleries, offering the quintessential small-town experience. If you enjoy strolling and browsing, there are enough things to do in downtown Geraldine to fill a whole day. 

These are a few of the many local shops and galleries you'll find downtown: 

5. Stroll our local walking trails 

Walking trails loop all through Geraldine - following the Waihi River, meandering through the beautiful native Talbot Forest, climbing the hill that backs the town, and cutting through the Geraldine Domain. Some are short and wheelchair-accessible, while others can be linked up into longer hikes. 

Work currently progressing on the Geraldine Sculpture Trail brings together several of these trails into one set of loops centred around downtown Geraldine. 

Geraldine Sculpture Trail 

The Geraldine Sculpture Trail is a great sampler of all the walking trails around Geraldine. From The Vicarage, you will find a trail entrance with a map just on the opposite side of St Mary's Church. This is the starting point for several loops, which interlock and include the Rhododendron Dell, several of our Waihi River walkways, the Geraldine Domain, and Talbot Forest. 

As of early 2025, work on the sculpture trail is still in progress, with sculptures currently present on the Wahi River Trail loop. 

Waihi River trails 

Trails on both banks of the Waihi River offer a peaceful stroll right through downtown Geraldine. 

Just behind The Vicarage lies the Rhododendron Dell (accessed through the outdoor seating area of Barker's Foodstore & Eatery). This hosts a rhododendron display of national significance, with an abundance of varieties that fill the woods with vibrant colour in spring. 

Continuing past here, the sculpture trail loops around the river, joined up by a pedestrian bridge downtown and a traffic bridge on the opposite end. 

Across the road past this traffic bridge, one final stretch of trail follows the Waihi River into the rural surrounds just beyond Geraldine, with tall trees lining the walkway. 

Talbot Forest trails 

Nowhere else in New Zealand will you find a native forest like this, with a network of well-maintained trails located directly beside the town centre, including many access points from which to explore. 

From flat 10-minute strolls to longer walks up steep hillsides, Talbot Forest feels like a slice of undisturbed wilderness right in the heart of Geraldine. Exploring Talbot Forest is one of the most rewarding yet underrated things to do in Geraldine. 

Riddells Reserve & Pekapeka Gully 

Several of the loops through Talbot Forest can be easily linked with trails through Riddells Reserve, which then connect through to Pekapeka Gully, making for rewarding longer walks. Once covered in exotic pine plantations, these areas have recently been logged and will now be re-established as native bush. In the meantime, views open up toward the town and Talbot Forest. 

Explore these trails and others in the area

Timaru District Council has recently released an excellent guide to all the trails in the region. If you enjoy hiking, this is well worth a read. In addition to Geraldine and Peel Forest trails, the brochure also highlights several excellent hikes within a 15-minute drive of Geraldine. 

6. Sample our excellent range of cafes and restaurants 

Geraldine punches well above its weight with an abundance of cafe and restaurant options. During your stay, treat yourself to a coffee or meal at one of these excellent establishments: 

Geraldine Cafes: 

• Barker's Foodstore & Eatery
• Cafe Verde
• The Running Duck
• Mundell’s Cafe
• Geraldine Farm Shop & Cafe
• Geraldine Berry Barn Bakery & Cafe
• Woodbury Store Cafe
• The Parasol Peel Forest
• Cafe Mes Amis at Orari

Evening Restaurants in Geraldine: 

• The Village Inn (open 7 days)
• Royal India Restaurant (closed Mondays)
• House of Hop (Thurs, Fri, Sat evenings)
• Austin92 in Temuka (closed Mondays)

Takeaway Food: 

• Kebab World
• Re Burger Geraldine
• Be Foodie (Indian & much more)
• Geraldine Fish Supply
• Jack's Chinese takeaway
• The Crispy Chicken (sushi)
• Subway

7. Explore our backcountry with thrilling adventure sports

Tucked close to the mountains, Geraldine is the launching-off point for both canyoning and rafting trips in the nearby rivers. In winter, Geraldine is a convenient base for skiing several nearby resorts. 

Raft the Rangitata River

Tackle Grade 4/5 rapids in the Rangitata Gorge on an epic rafting trip with Hidden Valleys Rafting. Beginning in the stunning Mesopotamia Valley, just past Peel Forest, follow the mighty Rangitata River as it plunges into a long, narrow gorge. Fed by glacial melt, the Rangitata River is considered one of New Zealand's top rafting destinations. 

Explore the Kaumira Canyon on an epic canyoning tour 

This little-known canyon packs a punch, with more jumps, ziplines, slides, and abseils than any other canyon in New Zealand. 

The tour begins with a 4WD all-terrain vehicle ride high up the slopes of a backcountry station, offering stunning views along the way. From there, the trip is all downhill, with lots of splashy, adrenaline-fueled fun as you test your limits on the canyoning adventure. 

Hit the slopes at one of our nearby ski fields 

There are 4 ski fields within a 1.5-hour drive of Geraldine, making this the perfect base for a winter getaway. 

These include: 

• Mt Dobson Ski Area (1 hour)
• Fox Peak Ski Area (1 hour)
• Mt Hutt (1.25 hours)
• Roundhill Ski Area (1.5 hours)

8. Tour one of our nearby farms and learn about the region's farming history 

Farm tours around the quaint wee town of Geraldine are the perfect way to move beyond tourist hotspots and experience a slice of authentic New Zealand.

Self-drive farm tours 

Here at The Vicarage, we organise both half-day and full-day farm tours where a guide joins you in your vehicle. Learn about the history, farming practices, and people who created this vibrant rural community. The tour includes visits to a historic church and farm buildings, a tasting of deer milk cheese, and morning tea (and lunch, for the full-day tour). 

Mesopotamia Station tour with Alps2Ocean

Explore a stunning backcountry sheep station on a tour with Alps2Ocean up the Rangitata Gorge into Mesopotamia. Along the way, learn about the area's rich history and farming practices. 

Travelling by 4WD vehicle, venture high on station tracks to the deer park, where you might also glimpse Himalayan Thar. Views open out to the braided river valley and stunning mountains all around. 

9. Play a round of golf

Geraldine boasts two local golf courses: Geraldine District Golf Club and Grande Vue Golf Club. One of them - Geraldine District Golf Club (also known as Denfield) was even named Golf Club of the Year in 2022! 

If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can even visit Mundell's Multi Hub in Geraldine and practice your swing with the state-of-the-art virtual golf simulators. 

10. Explore the region with day trips from Geraldine 

As an attractive town in a highly convenient central location, Geraldine is a popular base for day trips. These are some of the best day trips from Geraldine. 

Peel Forest and Rangitata Gorge into Mesopotamia 

Start the day with a drive up to Peel Forest, where you can enjoy a short walk or longer hike through the ancient native forest. If you want, you can stop for lunch at Parasol Cafe in the nearby township of Peel Forest or enjoy a picnic at the end of the Big Tree Walk. 

From there, continue up the gorge, enjoying sweeping views of the braided river valley and the dramatic mountains rising above Mesopotamia Station. 

Fairlie and Lake Tekapo 

Located just an hour's drive from Geraldine, Lake Tekapo is an easy and rewarding day trip. Stop in Fairlie to sample the famous Fairlie Bakehouse pies before continuing into the mountains. 

While in Lake Tekapo, you can visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, take in views from the top of Mt John, soak in Tekapo Springs, and enjoy an indoor guided astronomy experience at the Dark Sky Project Base. 

Methven and the Rakaia Gorge 

Just past Methven, take in stunning views of the Rakaia Gorge, with the option to do the 3-hour Rakaia Gorge Walkway. 

Afterwards, unwind with a relaxing soak in the Methven Hot Pools, with boasts an adult-only pool featuring a swim-up bar. 

Posted by Michael Barker on January 20, 2025