DESTINATION

It’s hard to beat a seaside summer holiday; that feeling of the sun on your face, sand between your toes, running from the waves or jumping straight in. Long hot days spent at the beach, carnival rides, picnics, ice creams, sandcastles, and cool coastal walks. In the little seaside city of Timaru, you can cross the road from the beach to wine, dine, and shop. Then head back to the beach at dusk to watch the little penguins return from a day’s fishing.

One favourite walk among locals starts and finishes at Caroline Bay. Experience the beauty of Timaru’s coastline, enjoying panoramic views over Caroline Bay, wandering over ancient lava flows, and examining the rocky cliffs that proved treacherous to early shipping. Start with brunch, or finish with sunset drinks at the fabulous row of eateries at the Bay Hill.

Download the free Timaru Trails App while you’re there. There are cool self-guided tours of street art, Caroline Bay, and the stories behind some of the earliest burials at the Timaru Cemetery. You can also use the app to navigate coastal walks and Centennial Park, Timaru’s inner-city biking and walking track reserve. Bring your bike or hire one while you’re there.

There is a resident rookery of kororā/little penguins that nest at the southern end of Caroline Bay over the summer. You can watch them noisily come ashore at dusk after a day’s fishing for free. Also calling the area home is a pod of Hector’s dolphins that you can spot in and around Caroline Bay if you time it right. Celebrate all things good about seaside summers with Timaru’s new Seaside Festival. Planning is underway for a series of fun events to be held over a two-week period in early February. Think incredible sandcastles, amazing kites, merpeople gathering, and heaps more. Stay tuned as more information is announced for the family friendly Seaside Festival.

It’s easy to spend a day at Caroline Bay. If you’ve had enough of sand and saltwater, there’s a playground, a skatepark, a bike skills park, disc golf, mini-golf, a beach volleyball court, and a rose garden of National Significance. Let’s not forget The Caroline Bay Carnival! It runs from Boxing Day until 9 January with fairground rides and live entertainment every day.

There are plenty of cool places to take a day trip to, from your base in Timaru. Check out Temuka’s vintage stores, and carry on to Geraldine for outstanding food, boutique shops, and fabulous art galleries. Head to Pleasant Point, check out the vintage railway and grab a real fruit ice cream. Plus, all the adventure of the legendary Mackenzie is an easy excursion too.

The Waitaki is a rich study of both landmarks and geology, where culture, heritage, wildlife, and topnotch food offerings can be discovered. The words ‘It’s Famous Because It’s Good’ have been written in the fabric of its heritage.

Start with lazy days at the beach at Kākānui or Moeraki, with an opportunity to build sandcastles or hit the surf. Then picnic with the family, enjoying a cheeky chilled glass or two of locally crafted wine or beer, and of course, don’t forget the local tomatoes and cheese.

See the Waitaki in every detail as you bike the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail from the foot of Aoraki Mt Cook or Lake Tekapo, weaving through high-country vistas to undulating green hills and farmland through to the edge of the Pacific Ocean at historic Ōamaru.

If camping is your summer highlight, venture to the Waitaki Lakes. Take the tent, the boat, the biscuit, and the kids for an allout lakeside adventure.

It’s been said that Waitaki rocks for scientists and explorers, young and old. Discover the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, Macrae’s Gold Mine, or visit the Vanished World Centre to view the fossils uncovered from sites nearby.

Stroll through Ōamaru’s historic precinct of Harbour and Tyne Streets, filled with art galleries, museums, cafés, and assorted retail, and home to Steampunk HQ. It’s a special place to enjoy the authentic Victorian streetscape that’s been so carefully protected.

The long summer evenings allow for a relaxed dining experience at any of the district’s well-known restaurants such as Riverstone Kitchen, Cucina, Fleurs Place, or enjoy tapas at Casa Nova House.

For your last stop, there is the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony, where you can check out the cutest little locals coming home at dusk.

End your day in style by spending your night in one of the many re-vamped historic accommodation houses, or a motel-hotel, or stay in luxury.

Take your time to explore every corner. There’s a little something for everyone to indulge in over the summer.

waitakinz.com

Summerset is excited to announce a brand new retirement village, Summerset Prebbleton, opening in 2022. As our fourth village located in Canterbury, it will o er nearly 300 homes to choose from once complete, including villas, cottages and serviced apartments. Enjoy the freedom that a Summerset village o ers, with no worries about maintenance or upkeep. We take care of the little things so you can continue to live the life you choose. Summerset Prebbleton is conveniently located for easy access to Christchurch CBD, a supermarket and the soon to be completed community hub, Prebbleton Village.

Many Summerset residents I speak with enjoy that their housing is secured, fi nances sorted with no surprises, and care is on hand at any level should you need it in the future. There’s a certain freedom in knowing the big (and not so big) things are taken care of, so you can just get on with living life.

Jude Dobson, Summerset brand ambassador