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Venue HistoryCaroline bay has a wealth of history. The first settlers and whalers in 1893 came to the bay. A break water was later developed which saw the first ships moore in the beginings of Timaru harbor. The breakwater caused sediments to build up and in 1902 the harbour board leased the area to the council who began developing the Caroline Bay as a destination..
Early European history
WhalersTacking off the South Canterbury coast in February 1770, James Cook saw and described the Hunters Hills, but did not land. When whaling began in New Zealand waters, the reefs at Caroline Bay were used (as the Māori had used them before) for shelter on an otherwise inhospitable coast.
In March 1839, the Sydney-based Weller brothers, already established at Ōtākou, set up a shore whaling station on the boulder beach below Timaru’s clay cliffs. However, the Wellers’ bankruptcy ended shore whaling there in 1841. | back to top
Early explorersThe first Europeans to enter South Canterbury overland found whalers’ huts and gear at Caroline Bay and Mutumutu Point.
Caroline Bay DevelopmentCaroline Bay was once described as a ‘dreary and uninviting line of rock under a cliff over which was dumped night soil and rubbish. After the construction of Timaru’s artificial harbour, currents created a sandy beach under the cliffs, inviting bathers and visitors. The borough council leased the new foreshore from the harbour board in 1902 and decided to turn the bay into a European-style beach resort. Tea rooms, a hot-water swimming pool and a band rotunda were built.
The tearooms opened in 1905:
By the 1920s, Caroline Bay had a wide reputation as an attractive summer holiday destination. The growing beach area and facilities attracted growing numbers of tourists to the region.
By the late 1930s, facilities such as tearooms, a hall, saltwater baths and a modern sound shell were in place. More Additions were made in 1931 - to the front of the building. Summer carnivals were held and got into full swing in the 1950s as an annual event running over a number of days.
Throughout the Twentieth Century, the sea’s action continued to deposit sand on the beach. By the 1990s, about a century after the beach began to form, the sea was several hundred metres east of its original level.
The sea’s gift continues to grow. A large area of land has been reclaimed and turned into a range of recreational areas. A ‘sound shell’ (for concerts) replaced the rotunda in 1937. Later, a piazza was built to improve access to the bay from the top of Bay Hill.
Christmas is the time of year that Caroline Bay comes to life. The sparkling ocean offers a safe swimming and water sports haven for family's. People travel from all over to to take part in the Caroline Bay Sarnivals that have been held at Caroline Bay since 1911, attracting thousands. | back to top
Development of Caroline BayThe Council is now developing Caroline Bay even further creating the Piazza access from the Bay hill down to the Trevor Grifiths Rose Garden. New water features, paved areas, courtyards, new car park, scate park and renovations of the Caroline Bay Hall.
Caretakers HouseThe old caretakers house was demolished to make way for the new formal garden associated with the existing Tearooms building. This building and garden operate as a private function facility available for you to hire for wedding ceremonies, functions, etc...
LANDSCAPE AREAS - Parkland LandscapeThe open parkland character of Caroline Bay is being maintained and enhanced all the time. Future plans are in the pipeline for the this grass area behind the dunes to be raised. Existing trees will be retained where possible. Additional tree planting in clusters, avenues and as single feature specimens will occur. for more information on the councils plans to develop the Caroline Bay and Caroline Bay Park please click here
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