Benmore Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Benmore Peak Observatory |
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| Organization | Benmore Peak Observatory |
| Location | Benmore Range, South Island, New Zealand |
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Coordinates
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44°25′02″S 170°05′38″E / 44.4172°S 170.0940°E
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| Altitude | 1,932 metres (6,338 ft) |
| Established | 1996 |
| Website [1] |
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Benmore Peak is the tallest mountain in the Benmore Range. This mountain range is located in the southern part of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand. It's a really high peak, reaching 1,932 meters (about 6,338 feet) into the sky!
Contents
About the Benmore Range
The Benmore Range is a long mountain chain. It stretches for about 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) from north to south. It is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) wide.
Where is it Located?
The range sits between two small places. To the north, you'll find the town of Twizel. To the southwest, there's the village of Omarama. The range is also next to Lake Benmore on its south side. The Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore is to its east.
How Many Peaks?
This mountain range has many peaks. More than thirty of them are over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high. At least twelve of these are even taller, reaching over 1,500 meters (4,920 feet). However, only five of these peaks have official names.
Main Peaks of the Range
Benmore Peak itself is 1,932 meters (6,338 feet) tall. It is found near the middle of the range. Other important peaks include:
- Sutherlands Peak (1,846 meters / 6,054 feet) to the north.
- The Cairn (1,464 meters / 4,801 feet) also to the north.
- Totara Peak (1,822 meters / 5,977 feet) to the south.
- The Buscot (1,245 meters / 4,084 feet) is a smaller peak attached to the western side.
Nature on Benmore Peak
The mountains here are mostly made of a type of rock called greywacke. You can also find some schist rock.
Plants You Might See
The plants on the range are quite special. You'll find different kinds of tussock grass. These include slim snow tussock and narrow-leaved snow tussock. There are also many alpine herbs that grow high up in the mountains.
Animals Living Here
Many interesting animals call the Benmore Range home. You might spot birds like the New Zealand falcon or the sky lark. Other birds include the chukar and the California quail. The New Zealand pipit also lives here. If you look closely, you might see small reptiles like the common skink and the common gecko.
Land and Ownership
Most of the Benmore Range is Crown land in New Zealand. This means it's owned by the government. It is also a protected area called an Outstanding Landscape Area. This helps keep its natural beauty safe.
Farm Stations
Even though it's mostly protected land, several large farm stations have used the Benmore Range for over a hundred years. They legally run their farm animals there. Some of these stations include Ben Omar, Benmore, Buscot, Glenbrook, Glencairn, Peak Valley, and Totara Peak.
Conservation Area
The NZ Department of Conservation has bought a large piece of land. This area is about 12 square kilometers (1,200 hectares or 2,965 acres). It is located between The Cairn and Sutherlands Peak. This land is now a public Conservation Area. It includes both wet areas, like wetlands, and very dry, high-up areas. There's even a public walking track you can use to explore this beautiful place.
Benmore Peak Observatory
The Benmore Peak Observatory (BPO) is located on private land right at the top of Benmore Peak. This special facility has many instruments. They are used for studying astronomy (stars and space) and meteorology (weather). These instruments are at the very peak and also down to 1,830 meters (6,002 feet).
A Unique Observatory
This observatory is very important. It is the highest observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. The only ones higher are in Antarctica and the Andes mountains of South America. This makes it a great place to study the sky and weather from a high vantage point.
