Martins Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martins Bay |
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 Martins Bay
Location in Fiordland
 Martins Bay
Location in South Island
Martins Bay
Location in New Zealand
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| Location | Fiordland, Southland District, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 44°21′43″S 167°59′06″E / 44.362°S 167.985°E |
| River sources | Hollyford River |
Martins Bay (also known as Whakatipu Waitai or Te Remu in Māori) is a beautiful bay on the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island. It's a quiet, wild place, located north of the famous Milford Sound. The Hollyford River flows into the Tasman Sea right here at Martins Bay.
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Martins Bay: A Special Place
Martins Bay is found in a region called Fiordland, which is part of the Southland District in New Zealand. It's a remote area, meaning it's far from towns and cities. You can only reach it by walking the popular Hollyford Track. This track is a favorite for people who love hiking and exploring nature.
The Story of Jamestown
Many years ago, in the early days of European settlement, there were big plans for Martins Bay. People thought it would be a great place for a harbor. They even planned to build a town called Jamestown nearby, on the shores of Lake McKerrow.
Jamestown was started in 1870. It was named after James Macandrew, who supported the idea. The plan was to build a road to the town, following a path that James Hector had explored.
Why Jamestown Didn't Work
Life in Jamestown was very tough. The land was difficult, the weather was bad, and it was hard to get supplies to the settlers. The very first ship that brought settlers to the bay even had trouble when it left.
By 1872, many of the 35 settlers were struggling to find food. They had to dig for roots to eat. By 1873, only five families were still trying to make a home there. The promised road back to Lake Wakatipu was never built. Because of all these problems, everyone had left Jamestown by 1879. Today, there's almost no sign that a town or port was ever there.
The story of these early settlers was told in a book called The Pioneers of Martins Bay. It was written by Alice Mackenzie, who grew up there. She lived in Martins Bay until 1902. Her brothers were the last settlers to stay, finally leaving in 1926.
Who Named Martins Bay?
It's not completely clear how Martins Bay got its name. It might have been named after one of the surveyors who mapped the area in the 1870s. Another idea is that it was named after the captain of a sealing ship.
