Caroline Bay, Timaru Botanic Gardens & Cetennial Park Walks

Three walks, one with views, one with gardens and one that offers some wilderness close to town.

Where is it?

Central Timaru is the starting point for the Caroline Bay and Botanic Gardens trails and Claremont Rd for the Centennial Park walks.

DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE BEACH IN WINTER ONLY

TIME & DISTANCE: From 30min to 1.5hr

FITNESS: Easy to average fitness required

TERRAIN: Easy tramping track. Paved paths and steps for the urban walks; unpaved but well-constructed paths in Centennial Park.

Track Overview

This walk starts at the piazza steps and 30-45 minutes later – having meandered along the coast, up the cliff path for a view of the coast, past rose gardens, fountains, an aviary and tearooms – returns there. While in the area, Timaru Botanic Gardens trail is another delightful half-hour option.

Start at the Queen St entrance, walk up past the conservatory and fernery to the rose gardens, past the hospital and duck pond to the Queen Victoria Sunken Garden, then downhill to the aviary. For a longer walk, head to the Centennial Park where, from Otipua Rd bridge, you can follow a track for about an hour and a half past a lake, through bush.

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels

Main Image: Explore Waimate, waimate.org.nz