Awarau River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Awarau River |
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Awarau River railway bridge
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Victoria Range 1,639 m (5,377 ft) 44°28′26″S 168°27′28″E / 44.4739241°S 168.457911°E |
| River mouth | Inangahua River 105 m (344 ft) |
| Length | 27 km (17 mi) |
The Awarau River is a river in the South Island of New Zealand. It is also often called Larry's Creek. The river is about 27 kilometres (17 mi) long.
It starts high up in the Victoria Range. From there, it flows northwest. The Awarau River then joins the Inangahua River. This meeting point is north of a town called Reefton. The river also collects water from part of the Brunner Range.
Contents
Gold Mining History
The area around the Awarau River has a history of gold mining. A 6 km (3.7 mi) forestry road runs north from State Highway 69. This road leads to Larrys Creek Track. The track goes another 2.4 km (1.5 mi) to the old Caledonian Gold Mine.
Caledonian Gold Mine
The Caledonian Gold Mine was active from 1874 to 1910. Its deepest shafts went down about 285 ft (87 m). This mine was the most northern one in the Reefton goldfield.
At the mine site today, you can still see parts of old mining equipment. These include a stamping battery and a Robey portable steam engine. These machines were used to crush rocks and help get the gold out.
Colinton Township
In 1874, a small town called Colinton was built for the miners. It was near the Caledonian Gold Mine. Sometimes, the Awarau River was even called the Colin River because of this town. By 1878, Colinton had 44 people living there. However, the town was gone by 1901. Just upstream from where Colinton used to be, there is a deep, rocky gorge.
Bridges Over the River
Only two bridges cross the Awarau River. One is for the Stillwater–Ngākawau railway. The other is for State Highway 69.
The railway bridge, known as Bridge 74, was built in 1905. It was 325 ft (99 m) long and had seven sections. This bridge was special because it was a road-rail bridge. This means both trains and cars could use it.
Nature and Wildlife
The area around the Awarau River is home to beautiful forests and wildlife.
Forests
You can find red beech trees (also called tawhai raunui) growing up to about 350 m (1,150 ft) high. Higher up, closer to the tree line at about 1,300 m (4,300 ft), you'll see silver beech trees (also known as tawhai or tahina).
Birds
Many native New Zealand birds live in these forests. These include the colourful Tūī, the singing bellbird (korimako), the small tomtit (ngirungiru), and the friendly South Island robin (Kakaruwai).
