Linkwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linkwater
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Country | New Zealand |
Region | Marlborough |
Linkwater is a small place in the Marlborough area of New Zealand. It is located on Queen Charlotte Drive. This road connects Havelock in the west with Picton in the east. To the north and northeast of Linkwater is Kenepuru Sound, which is a part of the sea.
History of Linkwater
Linkwater began as a town where people cut down trees for wood. This started in 1861. There were many kahikatea trees nearby. The town was also close to the Marlborough Sounds.
Gold Rush Era
In 1864, gold was found at Hall's Creek. This made Linkwater grow bigger. Three hotels opened in the town. The search for gold also led to the start of Cullensville, a few kilometers south of Linkwater. Cullensville is now a "ghost town," meaning it is mostly empty. The gold was gone by 1867. The last sawmill in Linkwater closed in the early 1870s.
Farming and Economy
After the gold rush, Dairy farming became the main way people made a living. The Linkwater Co-operative Dairy Factory opened in 1911. It made milk, cream, and cheese until 1953. Dairy farming is still very important today. However, farming deer and growing trees for wood (forestry) are also big parts of the local economy.
Linkwater School
Linkwater School is a school for both boys and girls. It teaches students from their first year up to year 8. In 2007, the school celebrated 100 years of teaching children in Linkwater and the areas around it.