Historic Timaru

Timaru, an important port for New Zealand for several centuries, has managed to retain much of the historic architecture from its pioneer days—especially the Victorian and Edwardian buildings on Stafford Street. Pick up a walking-tour map from the i-Site tourism office at the Landing Services Building (a landmark structure itself, built in 1870 from local volcanic bluestone). Just down the street, the imposing Theatre Royal was erected a few years later and a colorful stained-glass coat of arms was installed during the theater's 1993 restoration. The Anglican church of St. Mary's also features beautiful stained-glass windows (and, in an unrelated side note, it also is home to the world's longest grand piano).