Mercury Bay facts for kids
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Mercury Bay is a large, V-shaped bay located on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. It was given its name by the famous English explorer Captain James Cook. Before that, the Māori called it Te-Whanganui-a-Hei, which means "the great bay of Hei."
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Why is it Called Mercury Bay?
Captain James Cook arrived at this bay on November 9, 1769. He landed there to watch a special event called a Transit of Mercury. This is when the planet Mercury passes directly in front of the Sun, looking like a tiny black dot moving across its surface. Cook and his crew used this observation to help them figure out their exact location on Earth.
For a long time, people thought Cook made his observations near Shakespeare Cliff. A memorial was even built there in 1919. However, it was later discovered that the real spot where Cook landed and observed Mercury was at the eastern end of Cook's Beach, close to the Purangi estuary. A smaller memorial was placed there to mark the correct location.
What Happened in the Bay's Early Days?
In August 1815, an incident occurred in Mercury Bay involving two ships, the brig Trial and the schooner Brothers. During this event, some sailors were hurt.
Exploring Mercury Bay's Geography
Mercury Bay is about 10 kilometers wide at its entrance. Its coastline stretches for about 20 kilometers. The popular resort town of Whitianga is located on the bay's shore. The bay also has a natural harbour, which is an arm of the bay that reaches about six kilometers inland to the south.
You can find several small islands at the southern and northern edges of the bay. The Mercury Islands are also nearby, about 10 kilometers to the north. In the southern part of the bay, there's a special protected area called the Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve. This reserve helps protect the amazing marine life and environment.
Some of the well-known places along Mercury Bay include Buffalo Beach, Wharekaho, Ferry Landing, Shakespeare Cliff, Lonely Bay, Flaxmill Bay, Cooks Beach, Purangi Estuary, Cathedral Cove, and Hahei.
Fun Activities in Mercury Bay
Mercury Bay is a fantastic place for game fishing. The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club is one of the biggest fishing clubs in all of New Zealand! People come here to catch large fish like marlin and tuna.
The bay is also very famous for yachting. The Mercury Bay Boating Club, located in Whitianga, was the first club from New Zealand to challenge for the America's Cup in 1987. The America's Cup is one of the oldest and most famous sailing competitions in the world.
Images for kids
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A memorial near Cooks Beach, marking where Captain Cook observed the planet Mercury.
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The boom, Mercury Bay, Coromandel Peninsula in the early 1900s.
