14th March 2025

This is your Friday morning cruise. Park up on Caroline Bay from 9am on Friday March 14th, (Yes there will be 2 coffee vans available) where the cruise will leave for Geraldine at 11am. For those of you travelling from the north feel free to join everyone at Geraldine.

The friendly folk of Geraldine are thrilled to welcome once again the Rock and Hop participants in 2025 to their beautiful part of the world for the Friday Cruise. Geraldine, nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps, enjoys a warm micro climate and has been billed by the Lonely Planet Guide as the “loveliest town in New Zealand” so make sure you get there to soak up everything the town has to offer.

Following your scenic countryside drive you will arrive in town to a dedicated parking area close to the centre of the town, where you can picnic beside your vehicle or enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the many delicious cafes.

Then take a wander along the tree-lined streets to browse the boutiques specialising in everything from giftware to crafts, fashion and quality homewares. The town is renowned for its art scene and boasts a number of galleries or you can choose to visit an artist in their studio.

There will be music on the Village Green, Geraldine Auto Restorations will open their doors so you can catch a sneak peek of recent restorations and their hall of fame. The highly acclaimed Vintage Car and Machinery Museum is a must-visit attraction while you are in town. Highway 79's private museum collection will be open on Craigs Road just off the Geraldine-Fairlie Highway.

A riverside walk or a stroll through Talbot Forest is a great way to round off your time in this gem of a town.

Feel free to cruise back to Timaru anytime you like but the official cruise will leave Geraldine at 2pm, giving you plenty of time to check out what's happening downtown in Timaru before you park up for the Main Street Cruise.

14th March 2025

The Friday evening Main Street Cruise takes your breath away, with hundreds and hundreds of amazing cars cruising in front of thousands of people who line the streets bringing out their deck chairs, nibbles and drinks to watch the cars cruise by.

The cruise leaves from Caroline Bay at exactly 5.30pm and takes in the main streets of Timaru, Pleasant Point and Temuka. This is an extremely popular cruise being the highlight of the weekend for some, so please leave plenty of time to line up. You will leave in the order you arrive. In 2024 the last lines of cars left the Bay at 6.30pm to begin the cruise.

The streets are lined with people all the way around so please take the time to toot your horns and wave to the crowds.  There is a street party organised in Temuka, where you can choose to drive through the Main Street and head back to Timaru or you can drive through and park up and walk back to the main street to enjoy the party atmosphere. Alternatively for those of you who have tickets to our Friday night "It's in the Bag" we will see you in the Caroline Bay Hall when your cruise has finished. 

16th March 2025

10am - 2pm

Bushtown Waimate Heritage Park are graciously opening their 7 Hectare site depicting the Early Settler and Bushman era, especially for the Caroline Bay Rock and Hop Sunday Cruise.

See the Bill O'Donnell Sawmill in operation.

Sawmilling by steam, traditional sawmill driven by steam traction engine.

Stroll around the Edwardian Main Street, Edwardian Cottages, Old fashioned laundry and General Store.

Miniature Rail train, walk the forest tracks amongst the native bush and totara trees. Pioneer Women Art, Giant big log display.

Parking available on site to registered participants of the Caroline Bay Rock and Hop.

Stalls, sausage sizzle and refreshments on site.

Want to learn more? Visit Bushtown Website by clicking here