Jack's Bay facts for kids
Jack's Bay is a small, lovely settlement found in The Catlins. This area is in the southeastern part of New Zealand's South Island. It's a popular spot for holidays, especially in summer. Many people have "cribs" here, which are like small holiday homes.
Jack's Bay is located about six kilometres southwest of a town called Owaka. It's also very close to where the Catlins River meets the sea.
The Amazing Blowhole
One of the most famous things about Jack's Bay is its huge blowhole. It's called Jack's Blowhole. A blowhole is a natural hole in the ground, usually near the sea. It forms when part of a sea cave's roof collapses. When waves crash into the cave, water and air are forced up through the hole, creating a powerful spray!
Jack's Blowhole is very deep, about 55 metres (that's like a 15-story building!). It's also quite close to the sea, only about 200 metres away. It's a cool sight to see, especially when the ocean is rough.
Who Was Hone Tūhawaiki?
The bay, the blowhole, and a nearby island are all named after an important Māori chief. His name was Hone Tūhawaiki. He was a powerful leader of the Kai Tahu people. He was also known as "Bloody Jack," a nickname given to him by European settlers.
Hone Tūhawaiki was known for his bravery. There's a famous story about him escaping from a difficult situation. After a battle, he and his men were trapped on an island called False Island. To escape, Tūhawaiki bravely jumped from the high cliffs into the sea. He then swam about eight kilometres to another island, which is now sometimes called Jack's Island, but its proper name is Tuhawaiki Island. This amazing swim shows how strong and determined he was.
See also
In Spanish: Jack's Bay para niños
