Patea River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Patea River |
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The mouth of the Patea River
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| Native name | Patea |
| Country | Taranaki |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mount Taranaki |
| River mouth | South Taranaki Bight 39°46′S 174°29′E / 39.767°S 174.483°E |
| Length | 105 km |
The Patea River is a cool river located in the Taranaki area of the North Island of New Zealand. It flows for about 105 kilometres (that's about 65 miles!). The river starts on the eastern side of Mount Taranaki. It then goes east through a town called Stratford. After that, it turns south and reaches the South Taranaki Bight near the town of Patea.
Patea River: A Journey Through History
The Patea River was super important in the past. It was like the main entrance to South Taranaki for both the Māori and early European settlers. Imagine it as a highway for boats!
In the early days of New Zealand's history, this river even marked a border. From 1841 to 1853, it separated two big areas called New Ulster Province and New Munster Province. These were like early regions or states in New Zealand.
Fun Activities on the Patea River
If you love being on the water, the Patea River is a great spot! Many people enjoy canoeing here. It's actually the only river in South Taranaki that you can easily travel along by boat. So, it's a special place for water adventures.
Discover Lake Rotorangi and the Patea Dam
The Patea River is home to Lake Rotorangi, which is a really interesting place. This lake is the longest man-made lake in all of New Zealand, stretching for 46 kilometres! It was created when the Egmont Electric Power Board built the Patea Dam. The dam was built between 1979 and 1984.
You can visit the dam by driving along Ball Road. This road goes through the small towns of Alton and Hurleyville. There's even a free camping spot at the dam with toilets, perfect for a quick stop or an overnight stay.
