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Cecil Peak facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Cecil Peak is a tall mountain in the Wakatipu Basin of New Zealand. It stands at an impressive height of 1,978 metres (about 6,490 feet). You can find it on the south side of Lake Wakatipu, a bit southwest of Queenstown. The mountain is very easy to see from many places around the lake and town.

Cecil-Peak-and-Walter-Peak-with-snow
View from Fernhill of Cecil Peak (with Walter Peak on the right). The Māori name for both mountains is Kā Kamu-a-Hakitekura.

The mountain is mostly covered in grass and tussock, which are types of hardy plants that grow well in this area. Near the edge of the lake, you can also see some trees. Close to Cecil Peak's shoreline in Lake Wakatipu is Hidden Island. This is one of four islands found in the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

What's in a Name?

Both Cecil Peak and its nearby mountain, Walter Peak, were named in 1862. A surveyor named James McKerrow gave them their names. He chose the first names of the eldest sons of William Gilbert Rees, who was an important early settler in the Queenstown area.

Fun Fact: A Concert on the Peak!

Imagine going to a concert high up on a mountain! On March 27, 2010, a local band did just that. They performed an outdoor concert in a natural amphitheatre on Cecil Peak. The band played songs by the famous group Pink Floyd, making for a truly unique musical experience in a stunning location.

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