Long Beach, New Zealand facts for kids
Long Beach, known in Māori as Wharauwerawera or Wharewerawera, is a small coastal community in Otago, New Zealand. It has about 100 homes. This lovely spot is part of the city of Dunedin. It lies about 15 kilometres northeast of the city centre. You can find it between Blueskin Bay and the mouth of the Otago Harbour. The small community of Pūrākaunui is also very close by.
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Exploring Long Beach
Long Beach is famous for its beautiful sandy beach. This beach stretches for 2.4 kilometres. It lies between interesting coastal rock formations. The area is a great place for swimming. This is because the beach is inside a bay. It is usually calm and not affected by big waves.
Fun Activities at Long Beach
At the western end of the beach, you will find exciting rock-climbing cliffs. There are also cool caves to explore. These natural features attract many visitors. It's a perfect spot for adventure and discovery.
Amazing Wildlife
The beach and its nearby lagoon are home to many animals. You might spot blue penguins waddling around. Seals often rest on the shore. Many different birds live here too. Look out for terns, pūkeko, herons, spoonbills, and ducks. It's a fantastic place for nature lovers.
Protecting Our Environment
The Mopanui Ecological Society is a local group at Long Beach. They work hard to make the area even more beautiful. They plant many native plants in the reserve areas. This helps to protect the local environment. It also makes the area a better home for wildlife.
A Glimpse into History
Some of the oldest signs of human life in the South Island are found nearby. These traces are at Kaikai Beach. This beach is just northwest of Long Beach. It shows that people have lived in this area for a very long time.
Long Beach on the Big Screen
The 2006 movie Out of the Blue was filmed mostly at Long Beach. This means the beautiful scenery of Long Beach was shown to people all over the world.
