Paparoa Range facts for kids
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The Paparoa Range is a group of mountains in the West Coast area of New Zealand's South Island. It stretches along the coast between the Buller and Grey Rivers. To the east, you'll find the Inangahua River. Part of this mountain range is protected inside the Paparoa National Park.
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About the Paparoa Range
Location and Protection
The Paparoa Range is a significant natural feature on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It forms a natural boundary between important rivers like the Buller and Grey. A large part of these mountains is protected within the Paparoa National Park. This park helps to keep the natural environment safe. In 1995, an event known as the Cave Creek disaster happened within this park.
Coal and Railways
The Paparoa Range is known for its large amounts of coal. To get this coal out, special railway lines were built. These included the Blackball Branch/Roa Incline and the Rewanui Branch.
These railway lines are now closed. They were famous because they used a special system called the Fell mountain railway system. This system helped trains to brake safely when going down steep slopes. It was not a full use of the system, like the one on the North Island's Rimutaka Incline.
Plants and Animals
Many different kinds of plants and animals live in the Paparoa Range. You can find them on the mountain slopes and in the valleys below. One interesting plant found here is a fern called Blechnum discolor. It grows as part of the understory, which means it grows beneath taller trees.
Tallest Peaks
The highest point in the Paparoa Range is Mount Uriah. It stands tall at 1,501 meters (4,925 feet). Several other peaks in the range are also very high, reaching over 1,200 meters (3,937 feet). The Papahaua Range, located north of the Buller Gorge, is actually a geological continuation of the Paparoa Range. This means they are part of the same rock formation.
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