Geraldine is located 36 kilometres north west of Timaru and has a population of 2232. Geraldine has a country village atmosphere and is well endowed with superb native forests. This is a town that has built its reputation as a centre of arts, crafts and plants. Each spring a festival of arts and plants is held where people come from far and wide to sample the local delights and admire the initiative of some clever artists.

Geraldine was discovered in the 1840 but it wasn't until 1854 that Samuel Hewlings built the first bark hut in what is now Talbot Street. The totara tree which is planted to mark the birth of his daughter, the first child of European stock born in the area, still stands on the site. Sheep runs were the money makers, and pit sawmilling the second main industry. When the bush was exhausted, huge wheat crops sprawled over the plains.

Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve on the outskirts of Geraldine is one of the best remnants of lowland native forest in Canterbury; it overlooks the village and has lovely walks, native birds and picnic areas.