Timaru’s stunning Caroline Bay Playground

By: Auckland for Kids
Published: June 5, 2024
Topics: Canterbury, Destination playground, New Zealand Travel, South Island Playgrounds

Discover New Zealand’s largest playground in Timaru at Caroline Bay. This colourful large heritage-themed playground is know by the locals as CPlay in South Canterbury. Inspired by the area’s rich local Māori and European maritime histories, the Caroline Bay Playground is more than just a play space, it also serves as a learning hub for history and heritage. With more than 40 pieces of play equipment there is something to keep kids of all ages entertained.

At the centre of the playground is the 10 metre tall Lighthouse Tower inspired by Timaru’s Blackett’s Lighthouse which has a long tube slides, a rock-climbing wall, scramble net and even a rope climbing chimney.

The Shipwreck with the sloping deck is inspired by the wreck of Ben Venue and is perfect for kids imaginative and role playing games.

The canoe shaped seesaw is 4 metres long Mōkihi and great for a group of children to play on.

A highlight is the 50m sea-rescue themed Double Flying Fox which commemorates the live saving Rocket Brigade.

There is lot’s of inclusive play equipment including a double cyclops snake swing, double embankment slide, nature rocker, Wheelchair Trampoline, Inclusive Carousels, Inclusive Spinning buckets and Interactive Musical Bridge.

For the little kids there is an under 5’s space and a whare playhouse.

For the older kids there is a “Floor is Lava” obstacle course with a 2.6 metre Up and Over, 3 metre Ninja Climbing Wall, Rock Wall, Horizontal Totem Poles and Fitness Stations.

Where is Caroline Bay Playground in Timaru?

You can find Caroline Bay Playground in Mere Road Reserve on Virtue Ave in Timaru. Timaru is located in South Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand and is a 2 hour drive from Christchurch.

Are there more fun things to do with kids in Timaru near Caroline Bay Playground?

More family-friendly places to discover in Timaru for a fun day out with the kids include:

Visit the Fairy Light House at Timaru Port on go fishing on the PimePort Children’s Fishing Poonton
Check out the Little Blue Penguin nature reserve on Caroline Bay at dusk to watch the little blue penguins coming ashore at night from October through to March.
Visit the Caroline Bay Aviary
Head to Timaru Library to get some books and play in their vibrant outdoor playspace for kids.
Head to the heated swimming pools at Caroline Bay CBay Timaru Aquatic Centre. With three indoor heated pools, two hydro-slides, a children’s water play area, rapid river, bombing tower and 50 metre outdoor heated pool (open in Summer) there is plenty of fun for the whole family.
Discover the local history and natural heritage at the South Canterbury Museum on Perth Street in Timaru
Go swimming at the family-friendly Caroline Bay Beach in summer.
Roam Timaru’s town centre to discover all the unique Street Art
Play Disc Golf at Caroline Bay, West End Park or Temuka Domain.
Go mountain biking in Centennial Park Reserve which used to be a quarry.
Climb on the large climbing frame at Aorangi Park Playground and then play on the netball courts and sports fields.
Visit the Timaru Botanic Gardens located on 19 hectares was established in 1864. With a children’s playground, tennis trees, giant trees, duck ponds, Conservatory & Fernery, Species Rose Garden, Heritage Rose Garden and Anderson Rose Garden there is plenty to explore on your roam through the Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Gardens are recognised as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.
Smell the roses at the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden in Caroline Bay which was established in 2001 and has a representative plant from the main rose families in the world. The best time to see them flowering is from November until July each year.
Check out Aigantighe Art Gallery and it’s sculpture garden.
Watch a movie at Movie Max Digital cinema in Timaru.