Mōkau River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mōkau River |
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The Mōkau river near the mouth
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | Waitomo |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Pureora Forest |
| River mouth | North Taranaki Bight |
| Length | 158 kilometres (98 mi) |
The Mōkau River is an important river located on the North Island of New Zealand. It flows through a region known as the King Country. This river is well-known for its natural beauty and fun activities.
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Where the River Starts and Flows
The Mōkau River begins as a spring in the Pureora Forest. This forest is south of a town called Te Kuiti. The river's source is on the slopes of the Rangitoto Range mountains.
At first, the river flows towards the north-west. Then, it changes direction and heads south-west. It travels for about 158 kilometers (98 miles). The river flows through the Waitomo District. Finally, it reaches the sea at the North Taranaki Bight. The town of Mōkau is located right at the river's mouth.
The mouth of the Mōkau River has a large sandbar. This sandbar can make it tricky for boats to enter. However, when the tide is high, bigger boats can safely pass over the sandbar. They can then travel up the river.
The Mōkau River is navigable for about 37 kilometers (23 miles) upstream. This means boats can travel quite a distance inland. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the river was very busy. People used it to transport goods from logging and coal-mining industries. These industries were active along the river banks.
Over time, it became too difficult and expensive to move goods down the Mōkau River. Because of this, the logging and coal-mining businesses eventually stopped using the river for transport.
Fun Activities on the Mōkau River
Today, the Mōkau River is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy whitebaiting here. Whitebaiting is a type of fishing for small, young fish.
The river is also a great place for kayaking. Kayaking involves paddling a small boat called a kayak. It's a fun way to explore the river's calm waters and beautiful scenery.
See also
