Blue Mountains (New Zealand) facts for kids
The Blue Mountains are a range of rugged hills in West Otago, located in the southern part of New Zealand. They act like a natural wall, separating the valleys of the Clutha River and the Pomahaka River. These mountains are found between the towns of Tapanui and Lawrence, and their highest point reaches 1,019 metres (about 3,280 feet) above sea level.
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Wildlife in the Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a special home for one of the largest groups of wild fallow deer in New Zealand's South Island. People are allowed to hunt these deer on land managed by the Department of Conservation. This helps to manage the deer population.
How the Mountains Got Their Name
The Blue Mountains have had a few different names over time.
Early Māori Name
The original name for this mountain range, given by the Māori people, was Te Papanui. Over time, this name was changed slightly to become the name of the nearby town, Tapanui.
Surveyors' Name
Later, when early surveyors were mapping the area, they named one part of the range Mount Valpy. This was to honor William Henry Valpy, who was an important early settler in Dunedin.
Gold Rush Name
The name Blue Mountains was given by gold miners during the Otago Gold Rush in the early 1860s. They named them after the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, which might have looked similar to them.
