Lake Tikitapu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tikitapu |
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 Lake Tikitapu
Location in North Island
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| Location | North Island |
| Coordinates | 38°12′S 176°20′E / 38.200°S 176.333°E |
| Type | crater lake |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 1.6 km (0.99 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.4 km2 (0.54 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 19.1 m (63 ft) |
| Max. depth | 27.5 m (90 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 418 m (1,371 ft) |
Lake Tikitapu is a beautiful lake in New Zealand. Most people know it as the Blue Lake. It gets this name because of its amazing blue color. This color comes from the pumice and rhyolite rocks on the lake's bottom.
The Blue Lake is one of four small lakes found between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera. These lakes are in the Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand's North Island. The other lakes nearby are Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake), Lake Okareka, and Lake Okataina.
Lake Tikitapu was created about 13,300 years ago. It formed when lava blocked a valley. The lake has a flat bottom and is a collapsed volcanic crater. Its deepest point is about 27.5 meters (90 feet). The lake covers an area of about 150 hectares (370 acres).
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Fun Activities at Blue Lake
There are many exciting things to do at and around Lake Tikitapu. You can enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing on the water. Many people also love watersports here.
Fishing and Watersports
Both rainbow trout and brook trout live in the lake. This makes it a very popular spot for people who love to fish. The lake also hosts many events throughout the year. These include rowing races, wakeboarding contests, and Waka Ama (Māori canoe) events.
Walking and Biking Trails
Around the lake, there are great paths for walking and biking. The Blue Lake walking track is 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) long. It goes all the way around the lake. This path takes you through native bush and tall trees in the Whakarewarewa Forest. It's an easy walk, usually taking about 90 minutes to finish.
There is also a biking trail called Tangaroamihi. This 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) trail connects Lake Tikitapu to the Whakarewarewa Forest mountain bike network. It's a good trail for beginners.
Family Friendly Facilities
Lake Tikitapu is a great place for families. It has BBQ areas and picnic tables. There are also playgrounds for children. You can find special lanes for waterskiing and ramps for boats. Public toilets are also available for visitors.
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The History of Lake Tikitapu
Lake Tikitapu has a rich history, especially with the Māori culture. Even its name comes from a special Māori story.
The Sacred Greenstone Necklace
The name Tikitapu means "sacred greenstone." It comes from a legend about a special greenstone, or pounamu, necklace. This necklace was believed to belong to the daughter of an important chief. The story says she lost the necklace while bathing in the lake's clear waters.
Famous Athletes at the Lake
New Zealand's famous canoeist, Lisa Carrington, has competed many times at the Blue Lake. In 2018, she won all six of her races there. In 2020, she won both the K1 (single kayak) 200m and K1 500m finals.
Legend of Lake Tikitapu
A famous Māori legend tells of a monster named Kataore. This Taniwha monster was said to live in Lake Tikitapu.
Kataore the Taniwha
At first, Kataore was a friendly creature. But as he grew older, he became mischievous. He would often wait for people traveling alone. Legend says he would capture unsuspecting travelers very quickly.
The Chief's Daughter and Revenge
Kataore's actions made the nearby tribes very angry. One day, he made a big mistake. He captured the chief's daughter. She was on her way to marry a young chief named Reretoi. When Reretoi heard what happened, he gathered 140 brave warriors. They wanted to get revenge for the chief's daughter.
Reretoi and his men managed to trick Kataore out of his cave. They put a rope around his neck. Then, they fought and defeated him using traditional Māori weapons like tewhatewha and kotiate. After the battle, Kataore's body was taken apart. His heart was eaten by the tohunga (a wise spiritual leader) between the Blue Lake and Green Lake.
