The Dashing Rocks Track is a 5 km coastal loop that begins and ends at the northern end of Caroline Bay. From the car park, it climbs over the Benvenue Cliffs and follows the clifftop above Waimataitai Beach before looping back through the streets to the bay. The track passes the site of two nineteenth-century shipwrecks, reaches a point where ancient lava flows from Mt Horrible met the sea, and offers chances of spotting seals and penguins in the bay. It’s one of Timaru’s more characterful walks — compact at around an hour, but with genuine historical and geological interest.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | 5 km loop |
| Duration | ~1 hour |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate — cliff climb at start |
| Surface | Paved road and gravel track |
| Cycling | Partly suitable |
| Cost | Free |
| Start point | Northern end of the Caroline Bay car park |
The Route
Starting from the northern end of the Caroline Bay car park, the track climbs the walking path over the Benvenue Cliffs. This is the only significant ascent on the loop, and it rewards immediately with views back across the bay. From the clifftop, the route follows the edge of the coast above Waimataitai Beach toward Richmond Street, then turns right into Climie Terrace, crosses the footbridge to Moore Street, and follows the trees along the clifftop to the headland.
This headland is where ancient lava flows from Mt Horrible — an inland volcanic peak — once met the sea, creating the distinctive rocky shoreline visible below. From here the track follows the bay edge and turns inland across a paddock to Pacific Street, then back via Westcott Street and Richmond Street to the car park.
The Shipwrecks
The name of the track’s starting point — Benvenue Cliffs — references the 1882 wreck of the sailing ship Benvenue, which was driven ashore during a violent storm. The City of Perth went down in the same storm. Both ships were lost in the bay now bearing the Benvenue‘s name. The cliffs and the bay serve as the historical marker for the disaster.
Wildlife
The rocky coastline below the clifftop section of the track is used by New Zealand fur seals, and little blue penguins are occasionally seen in the bay. The elevated position of the track means you can observe the shoreline without descending to beach level — on calm days, seals often rest on the exposed rocks below the cliffs.
Timaru District Council — Dashing Rocks — official track description and route map.
Venture Timaru Tourism — Dashing Rocks Coastal Track — visitor overview with seasonal notes.
FreeWalks NZ — Dashing Rocks Walk — independent track description with tips and photos.
Exploring My Own Backyard — Caroline Bay to Dashing Rocks — first-person blog with photos from the full coastal walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Dashing Rocks Track start?
At the northern end of the Caroline Bay car park in Timaru. The track starts with the climb up the Benvenue Cliffs walking path.
How long is the Dashing Rocks Track?
5 km as a loop, taking about one hour at a comfortable walking pace.
Can I cycle the Dashing Rocks Track?
The clifftop sections are accessible by bike, though the loop includes road sections and is best suited to walking rather than cycling.
What are the Benvenue Cliffs?
The cliffs are named after the sailing ship Benvenue, which wrecked in the bay below during a storm in 1882, along with the City of Perth. They form the first section of the Dashing Rocks loop.
Can I see seals and penguins on this walk?
Both fur seals and little blue penguins are occasionally seen from the clifftop section of the track. The rocky shore below the cliffs is used as a rest area by seals.
Dashing Rocks Track is part of Timaru’s walking tracks network. It begins at Caroline Bay, making a natural combination with the Caroline Bay Walk.
