Last updated June 2026
The Centennial Park Pump Track is an asphalt pump track built by Velosolutions in Timaru’s Centennial Park. The smooth 800 m² circuit offers continuous flow riding through rollers and berms, suiting riders of all ages and abilities from young children to experienced cyclists. It is free to use and open year-round during daylight hours.
Practical Information
| Location | Centennial Park, Timaru (within the mountain bike area) |
| Surface | Smooth asphalt |
| Track area | 800 m² |
| Suitable for | Bikes, scooters, skateboards — all skill levels |
| Cost | Free |
| Hours | Open daylight hours year-round |
| Facilities | Toilets, BBQs, playground and lake nearby in Centennial Park |
| Access | Via Centennial Park Road on the southwestern edge of Timaru |
About Centennial Park Pump Track
The pump track sits at one end of Centennial Park, a 65-hectare scenic reserve on the edge of Timaru. It forms part of a broader network that includes a separate BMX track and mountain bike skills area at the opposite end of the park. The track was constructed in 2024 with funding support from the Timaru District Council and the South Canterbury Mountain Bike Club.
Pump tracks generate speed through body movement rather than pedalling. Riders pump through rollers and banked berms to maintain momentum around the loop. The asphalt surface provides a consistent, low-maintenance ride suitable for beginners building confidence and more advanced riders refining technique.
The South Canterbury Mountain Bike Club maintains the track in partnership with the council. It complements the park’s shared walking and cycling paths, which are wheelchair accessible in many sections.
The Track and How It Works
The design follows standard Velosolutions asphalt pump track principles, creating a flowing circuit that rewards smooth technique. Riders can complete multiple laps without pedalling once momentum is established. Helmets are recommended for all users, especially children.
The track integrates with the wider Centennial Park mountain bike trails, allowing riders to combine pump track sessions with longer rides through the valley.
Nearby Facilities and Activities
Centennial Park features a recreational lake used for kayaking, fishing and swimming. Free gas BBQs, picnic areas, a children’s playground and toilets are all within easy walking distance of the pump track. A suspension bridge crosses Otipua Creek near the BMX area. The park connects to the Otipua Creek Walkway and coastal wetlands network for extended outings.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors praise the smooth flow and family-friendly design, noting it is excellent for children learning bike skills and for adults practising technique. Many appreciate the combination with the park’s lake and picnic areas for a full day out.
Riders highlight the track’s accessibility for all levels and its convenient location within a larger recreational reserve that offers additional trails and facilities.
Where to Learn More
Timaru District Council — Centennial Park: official park information including trail details and facilities.
South Canterbury MTB Club — Pump Track: club page with track updates and contact information.
Stuff — New Centennial Park bike track: news coverage of the track’s construction and opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the pump track in Timaru?
Inside Centennial Park, within the mountain bike reserve area. Access via Centennial Park Road on the southwestern edge of Timaru.
Who built the Timaru pump track?
It was built by Velosolutions, a Swiss company known for asphalt pump track design, in partnership with the South Canterbury Mountain Bike Club and Timaru District Council.
Is the pump track suitable for children?
Yes — the smooth asphalt surface and flowing design make it suitable for children on bikes or scooters. Younger children should wear helmets.
Can I use a skateboard or scooter on the pump track?
Yes — the track suits bikes, scooters and any wheeled equipment that can flow through berms and rollers.
Is there parking at Centennial Park?
Yes — the lake area car park is the main parking area for the park, a short walk from the pump track.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted in Centennial Park on a leash in most areas.
Is the track wheelchair accessible?
The surrounding park paths are wheelchair accessible in many sections, though the pump track itself is designed for wheeled sports.
When was the pump track opened?
The track was completed and opened in 2024.
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