Bombay Hills facts for kids
The Bombay Hills are a group of hills located south of Auckland, New Zealand. Even though they are not very big, they are important because they mark the southern border of the Auckland region. They act like a natural boundary between Auckland and the Waikato region. A small town called Bombay is also found here, along the old main road known as the Great South Road.
People in New Zealand often have a fun, joking relationship about the Bombay Hills. Aucklanders sometimes see the areas "south of the Bombay Hills" as more rural. On the other hand, people from the rest of the country might see Aucklanders as a bit too confident. Because of these friendly jokes, the Bombay Hills are a well-known symbol of the difference between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand. You might hear people say, "New Zealand stops at the Bombay Hills!" A reggae band from the 1990s even named themselves Southside of Bombay.
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Where are the Bombay Hills?
The hills are about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Auckland. They are quite close to the town of Pukekohe. State Highway 1, a major road, goes over these hills. This is the highest point on the highway between Auckland and Tīrau, which is 134 kilometres (83 mi) further southeast. The town of Bombay is the closest settlement to the southern edge of Auckland city.
How the Bombay Hills Got Their Name
The town of Bombay and the Bombay Hills are named after a ship. This ship was called the Bombay. It arrived in Auckland in 1863 and brought settlers to the area. Before that, the area was known as Williamson's Clearing. The ship itself was named after the city of Bombay (now called Mumbai) in India.
What are the Bombay Hills Made Of?
The Bombay Hills are actually what's left of an ancient volcano. This volcano was part of the South Auckland volcanic field. It erupted a very long time ago, about 600,000 years ago! The hills are covered with a type of volcanic ash called Hamilton Ash. Over time, this ash has turned into some of the best soil in New Zealand for growing vegetables.
The Bombay Hills also play a role in how the Waikato River flows. The hills act as a barrier, stopping the river from flowing north. Instead, they make the river turn west towards the coast. The Waikato River then flows into the Tasman Sea near Port Waikato.
Who Lives in the Bombay Hills?
The Bombay Hills area covers about 30.16 km2 (11.64 sq mi). As of 2023, it has an estimated population of 2,090 people.
In 2018, there were 1,974 people living here. The population has grown quite a bit over the years. The median age of people living here was 45.0 years. Most people living in the Bombay Hills are of European descent. There are also people of Māori, Pacific peoples, and Asian backgrounds. About 1 in 5 people living here were born outside New Zealand.
Famous Residents
Many well-known athletes have lived in the Bombay Hills. These include Eric Murray, an Olympic rower, and Katherine Prumm, a World Champion motorcyclist. Andy Dalton, a former captain of the All Blacks rugby team, also lives here. Bombay is also home to Tyburn Monastery, which is a monastery for Benedictine nuns.
Walking Trails
There are some great places to walk in the Bombay Hills.
- The Te Araroa long-distance walkway now follows Pinnacle Hill Road for 6.5 km (4.0 mi) through the hills. This change happened in 2018.
- The Mount William Walkway is 4.5 km (2.8 mi) long. It runs next to the Te Araroa trail. This walkway connects Puketutu (376 m (1,234 ft)) and Mount William (369 m (1,211 ft)). You can walk through beautiful bush with kauri trees, hard beech, and king ferns. From the walkway, you can see amazing views of Waikato, the west coast, and the Firth of Thames.
Important Buildings
- St Peter in the Forest Church (Anglican)
