British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1959, who declared Caroline Bay as one of the most beautiful views he had seen in the world.

BELOW is a GENERAL timeline - See Caroline Bay timeline (HPE #332190) for a full timeline
*** (T/L) - information copied from Caroline Bay Time Line put together from Timaru Herald extracts (or as stated) by Mark Denne.

1891 - Bathing sheds on bay. (T\L)
1892 - Sands of Caroline Bay extending. (T\L)
1897 - Top soil taken from railway cutting to be spread for grassed area on bay. (T\L)
1898 - Removal of clay bank between railway and Caroline Bay. (T\L)
1904 - Plants and Flax surviving on bay. (T\L)
1904, 23 Dec - Band Rotunda opened. (T\L)
1905, Nov - Tea Rooms opened. (T\L)
1905 - Bathing sheds on North Mole (mens) and on sands north of the tearooms.
1905 - 1000 shrubs planted on bay. (T\L)
1906 - Good progress on post and rail fence along esplanade donated by John Jackson (which replaces a barbed wire fence) (T\L)
1906 - Rustic fence erected on uppermost terrace bordering western end of bay, (T\L)
1910 - Ladies facilities north of the tearooms and caretakers cottage and west of where the pavillion is to be built.
1910, Oct - Lawn between road and invert to be used as car park with charge 1/- per car.
1911 - Caroline Bay Association formed.
1911, 14 Dec - Tender accepted for Piazza, (T\L)
1912, 15 Feb - First "Grand Carnival" held at Caroline Bay in conjunction with opening of Marine Parade.
1912, Feb - Piazza being built on the future site of the Sound Shell seating. (T\L); Swings and Seesaws on Bay now (T\L)
1912 - Big Merry-go-round on bay dismantled. (T\L)
1912 - Flag pole on bay on seaward side of band rotunda. (T\L)
1912 - Marine Parade opened (also known as North Mole) (T\L)
1912, Oct - Tennis Courts nearing completion. (T\L)
1913 - Bathing Sheds built, Bay Hill improved and the Tennis Courts built.
1913 - Pavillion built - handed over to public October 1913.
1914 - Excursion trains brought large numbers of visitors to the Bay. By 1928-29, over 25,000 passengers arrived annually, with special platforms built for passengers to disembark directly at the Bay.
1915 - Clock on Band Rotunda. (T\L) - funded by public subscriptions and organized by local figures such as Major A.W. Wright and Dr. Thomas. The Palliser family also contributed to the Bay with a drinking fountain.
1915 - Childrens playground built.
1918 - Mobile bathings sheds sold off.
1918 - Caretaker instructed to plant Willow trees along main promenade.
1920, Jul - Hot saltwater baths nearing completion. (T/L)
1928 - Roads and Pathways sealed.
1929 - Memorial Wall erected and the lawn areas extended.
1930 - Memorial and Sundial added.
1931 - Tearooms constructed
1936 - Soundshell built.
1937 - Soundshell built replacing the old Band Rotunda.
1939 - The Aviary built.
1939 - Near the childrens play area south end of bay, trees and shrubs have been planted in a plot protected by broom shelters. Also a broom shelter built for sunbathers near bathing sheds.
1939 - Area on the seaward side of the Memorial Wall planted in lawn at the south end.
1941, May - NZD$500,000 given to the Patriotic Fund and the War Effort.
1941 - Bluestone 10 foot diameter "moon" seat recess being built south side of viaduct. 1955 - Bay Hall Extended.
1956 - Wishing well built above bay. (Bay Hill)
1957, Jan - Piazza being demolished for stadium seating.
1958 - Soundshell stadium seating built on the site of the original Piazza.
1962, Aug - Work starts on new paddling pool.
1963 - Skating Rink built.
1964 - Bathing sheds replaced; Paddling pool, water fountain and rock garden built.
1969 - Community Centre built.
1972 - Skating Rink shifted.
1981 - Old Aviary demolished and new one built.
1986 - Mini Golf course built.
1990 - Barbeque built
1992 - Entertainment Center built.
2000 - Purchased Copenhagen Cones and relocated to near the Mini Golf course, and built Petanque Courts next to Buzz Boats.

In Timaru's early days, before sewer pipes were laid in the growing town, night soil was dumped opposite where Sarah Street commenced. There were no railway lines and Caroline Bay hadn't 
been formed. To disguise the area a small grove of macrocarpa trees were planted. When Mr A.E. Stan Hanan was Mayor in 1948 it was decided to remove the trees to improve the view and as the need for the trees had passed.

- Doug Shears, Tales of South Canterbury. Vol. 1 : Caroline Bay . Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 04/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/8179