Moturoa / Rabbit Island facts for kids
Location of Rabbit Island.
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere |
| Coordinates | 41°16′15″S 173°08′51″E / 41.2709°S 173.1476°E |
| Area | 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi) |
| Length | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Moturoa / Rabbit Island is a cool island located in Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, on the northern coast of New Zealand's South Island. This long, narrow island stretches about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from east to west. It covers an area of 15 square kilometers (about 6 square miles).
The island sits across from the mouth of the Waimea River. It's about 7 kilometers (4 miles) west of Richmond. Moturoa / Rabbit Island was formed around 7,000 years ago. It grew from several smaller islands near the river's mouth. People from the Māori culture lived here for over 800 years. The island used to be covered in tussock grass, manuka scrub, and totara trees.
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Discover Moturoa / Rabbit Island
The Rabbit Island Recreation Reserve is a fun public area. It includes three islands: Rabbit Island, Rough Island, and Bird Island. This whole area became a public reserve in 1908. Rabbit Island is super popular because it has a long, safe beach perfect for swimming. Many people from nearby towns like Motueka, Wakefield, Brightwater, Richmond, Māpua, Stoke, and Nelson love to visit.
You can reach Rabbit Island by crossing a causeway. This is a raised road that goes over a tidal area, connecting the island to the mainland. After the bridge, there's a big grassy spot. You'll also see a sign reminding everyone about fire safety. Large parts of the flat island are covered with pine trees. The beach itself has huge sand dunes. These dunes are topped with pine trees, and you can even see their roots sticking out!
Fun Activities at Rabbit Island
There are lots of things to do on Moturoa / Rabbit Island. The Tasman's Great Taste Trail, a special path for bikes, goes right through the island. This trail connects Richmond to Motueka. So, you can enjoy a great bike ride here! There's also a new area for horse riding. Just remember, the reserve closes from dusk until 5 AM, so plan your visit during the day.
What's in a Name?
For a long time, the island was mostly known as Rabbit Island. But in August 2014, its name was officially changed. Now, it's called Moturoa / Rabbit Island. This new name includes its traditional Māori name, Moturoa.
Other Rabbit Islands
Did you know there are other islands in New Zealand called Rabbit Island? These other islands are much smaller, usually less than 1 square kilometer (0.4 square miles). They are found in different places around New Zealand. For example, there's a Rabbit Island inside Whangarei Harbour. Another one is near Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf. There are also Rabbit Islands off the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. One is even officially known as Motuotau Island, near Tauranga. You can find others near Pitt Island in the Chatham Islands, and even down south near Dunedin and Bluff.
