Gulliver River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gulliver River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Fiordland |
| River mouth | Cleddau River |
The Gulliver River is a beautiful river located in the Fiordland area of New Zealand. It's a special part of the stunning South Island landscape. This river starts high up in the Darran Mountains.
From its source, the Gulliver River flows first north, then turns west. It eventually joins the Cleddau River. The Cleddau River then empties into the famous Milford Sound, which is a very popular tourist spot.
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How the River Got its Name
The Gulliver River received its name in 1906. A person named W.G. Grave named it after his friend, Alf Grenfell. Alf Grenfell had a fun nickname, "Gulliver," which inspired the river's name.
Exploring the Gulliver River Track
There's a walking track that follows the Gulliver River. This track is perfect for day walks during the warmer months of summer and autumn. It starts from the Cleddau River and offers a great way to see the area.
You can even extend your walk onto the Grave Talbot Track. This longer path leads into the Esperance Valley. Along the way, you'll pass the impressive De Lambert Falls, which are about 59 m (194 ft) tall! The track also goes over the Grave Talbot Pass, offering amazing views.
Helping the Kakapo
The Gulliver and Esperance Valleys were once home to a very rare native New Zealand bird called the kakapo. Kakapo are large, flightless parrots. In 1975, only three kakapo were left in these valleys.
To protect these precious birds, they were carefully moved to Maud Island. This move was part of a big effort to save the kakapo from disappearing forever. It helped them find a safer home where they could hopefully thrive.
About the Esperance River
The Esperance River is a smaller river that flows into the Gulliver River. It's about 3 km (1.9 mi) long and joins the Gulliver from the west, coming from Mount Isolation. Rivers that flow into a larger river are called tributaries.
Along the banks of the Esperance River, you can see many large trees. These include tall rimu trees and beech trees. These forests grow up to about 500 m (1,600 ft) in elevation, creating a beautiful natural environment.
