Caroline was born in Victoria, Melbourne. She went to Geelong Grammar School and then later to Melbourne Girls Grammar School (alongside Blue Heelers (1994) co-star Jane Allsop). She says she was always destined to have a career in the arts as she was surrounded by music from an early age. Her parents, noticing her interest, enrolled her at St. Martin's Youth Arts Centre for kids at the age of 10 and Caroline loved it! Graduating with her VCE in 1992 she had to decide whether to enrol for law or acting. Not surprisingly her parents encouraged her to enrol in the law degree. Wanting to keep her options open she applied for Law in Tasmania and for an Arts degree at Melbourne University. However, during her two day orientation for Law students, Caroline realised that Law was not for her and so she left. After a brief spell living in London, Caroline returned to Australia and took up her place on the Arts degree. She got involved with the drama department and formed an all girl band called Vinyl Discharge, which played gigs around Melbourne. She was the lead singer. However, having been bitten by the acting bug, and inspired by her idols, Cate Blanchett, Jacqueline McKenzie and Toni Collette, she sacrificed her musical career and was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. Whilst studying acting, Caroline played a part in the Silverchair music video 'Miss You Love' from the album Neon Ballroom. She played the female French actress on the cinema screen. After graduating from NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts) in 1999, Caroline got herself an agent and shortly after an audition for Blue Heelers (1994). After two further auditions, she secured the role and began filming on 28th February 2000 and her first episode, 'On The Road' was screened on Wednesday 24th May.