Caroline Bay Walk

“The ‘jewel in the crown’ for Timaru is definitely Caroline Bay and it’s easy to see why.

It’s a great open space with the beach, parkland, boardwalks, picnic spots, skatepark, a Christmas carnival in summer, an aviary and plenty of events throughout the year, a playground and a great place to walk.

The Caroline Bay Walk is one such walk that is an easy 30 minute walk and for those with moderate fitness there is the Benvenue Cliffs that adds an extra 15 minutes to the walk.

A feature of this walk is the panoramic views of Caroline Bay, Dashing Rocks and mountains from Piazza.

The walk starts at the bottom of the Piazza steps. The Trevor Griffiths Rose garden is opposite and is well worth a visit. Follow the Willow walk to the right. Cross over the road and follow the Memorial walkway back towards the Caroline Bay Community Lounge.

The Memorial Wall was built in the 1920s to commemorate the land and sea battles in which New Zealanders fought in the Great Wars. When this wall was built it marked the line where land and sea met.

Turn right onto the diagonal path and left at the fountain. Continue towards the Community Lounge.

The Palliser Fountain is on the corner of the lawn on the left side towards the end of the wall. In summer this area is busy with the carnival rides. Turn right at the end of the wall, pass the back of the Community Lounge, and left to continue across the car park or grassed area alongside. Follow the road up to the railway bridge.

Take the cliff path up to the Benvenue Cliffs and enjoy the view of Caroline Bay, Beckett’s Lighthouse is to the north of the bridge. Cross the footbridge over the rail-way line to Benvenue Avenue.

On your left you pass the ASB Tennis Centre and the CBAY Trust Aoraki Centre. Walk back down Virtue Avenue and follow the track to the right behind the Bay tennis courts to the Aviary. Take the right diagonal path and turn left at the Bay Tea Rooms. Continue walking on this path through the Sound Shell until you reach the Piazza.

To end the walk there are a number of cafes close by and you might be lucky as sometimes there are concerts in the Sound Shell.

Please note that as of the 3/11/2021 a section of track beginning at the intersection where the Benvenue Track meets Vitrue Avenue will be closed till further notice.

Wheelchair access on Bay only, but not on Benvenue Cliffs. Dogs are allowed on the beach but in winter only.