Bay History. Can you learn... about the bay by reading the signs at the Piazza with history and images? Can you see what has changed at the Bay, and what has remained the same? There is also a sign celebrating Timaruvians over the years. Can you find John Hardcastle 1847-1927? He made a significant contribution to world geology through his discovery of loess stratigraphy. Can you see the curving horizontal lines in the cliffs? He found that these indicate changes in climate going back many hundreds of thousands of years.
North. Can you navigate... to the Chatham Islands, London, Toyko, Greymouth and Vancouver? Stand at the top of the Loop Rd to get your bearings with the distance dial Toposcope. Look to the west, can you see Timaru’s tallest tree, the 34m high Wellingtonia Gigantica? The tree has a lovely connection to Timaru’s past. George and Elizabeth Rhodes were one of Timaru’s early European settlers. When George died, Elizabeth remarried Arthur Perry and moved to Beverley Estate. This tree was shifted there in 1873 by wheel barrow, and a case of Champagne was bet over its survival. Rumour has it Edmund Hillary climbed it as a young man when he stayed with neighbours.
Roses. Can you smell... one of the largest collection of heritage roses in the Southern Hemisphere? End of November to the beginning of December is when the garden is at its peak. Do the tea rose smell like tea? Can you find the woman in an arm rest? How many instruments can you find the peony garden? Who is the garden named after?
Play. Can you paddle... in a shallow sandy bay with a pontoon and slide, or dip your toes in the paddling pool at the playground? The first slides, sea-saws, cradle swings, and flying fox were set up around 1904.
Carnival. Can you see... the century old Merry-go-round, the only one of it's kind in New Zealand that used to run by steam? (If you are visiting outside of carnival season, spy it in a large photo instead). Christmas carnivals have been held at Caroline Bay since 1911 years by volunteers from the Caroline Bay Association. The carnival starts on Boxing Day each year until January 12.
Wrecked. Can you stand... on a cliff named after tragedy? From 1865-1890, before harbor works were completed, the Port was the graveyard of 28 ships. 14 May 1882 the Ben Venue and City of Perth wrecked on the cliffs. Hundreds gathered in sunshine and witnessed, despite the gallant effort of volunteers, the loss of nine lives in the sea below. This included Captain Mills who later died of exposure. Can you find the memorial on Perth St in the Timaru CBD close to the South Canterbury Museum?
Rail. Can you wave... to a train when it chuggs along the cliff? In 1871 the first sod for the Timaru-Temuka railway was turned by the late Mayor Captain Cain’s wife, Mrs Cain. Can you stand on some of the quarried rock used to protect the cliffs and extend the Port?