Ocean Beach (Bluff Harbour) facts for kids

A flying boat alighting area was a special spot in Bluff Harbour, Bluff, Southland, New Zealand. This area was like an airport, but for planes that could land and take off on water! It was an important place for many years.

Flying Boats in Bluff Harbour

This special water airfield was managed by the Bluff Harbour Board. It was used by the RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) for their flying boat operations. These planes helped patrol New Zealand's southern sub-Antarctic islands. The RNZAF used this area until 1966.

What Were Flying Boats?

Flying boats are a type of aircraft that can land on water. They have a boat-like body that lets them float. Instead of wheels, they use the water for taking off and landing. Two common types of flying boats that visited Bluff were the Short Sunderland and the Consolidated Catalina.

Early Days of Tourism

In the late 1950s, an airline called Ansett Australia used the Bluff alighting area. They ran four special international flights using Short Sandringham flying boats. These flights were a new way to bring tourists to the southern part of New Zealand.

For these flights, there was a small boat (a launch), a jetty (a small pier), and a customs terminal. Passengers would quickly get onto buses. These buses would take them on a short trip to Invercargill. This was an early try to bring many visitors to the southern region.

Why Flying Boats Left Bluff

Over time, new types of airplanes became more popular. These were land-based airliners, which were more efficient. They could fly faster and carry more people. Because of this, flying boats were used less and less. Eventually, the alighting area in Bluff was no longer listed as an airport.