The Kilmog facts for kids

The Kilmog, sometimes called Kilmog Hill, is a hilly area in New Zealand. It's about 20 kilometers north of Dunedin. In the Māori language, its name is Kirimoko. You can find it on State Highway 1, a main road. It's located north of Blueskin Bay and south of Karitane.

The Kilmog is more like a series of hills than just one. It lies between the south branch of the Waikouaiti River and the Pacific Ocean. The highest point is Hammond Hill, which is 431 meters (1436 feet) high. This peak is near the farming area of Merton. Another peak, Porteous Hill, is 395 meters (1317 feet) tall. It sits at the southern end of the Kilmog.

Driving the Kilmog

The name Kilmog is well-known because of a steep part of State Highway 1. This main highway goes over these hills between Waitati and Waikouaiti. From Evansdale, at the northern end of Blueskin Bay, State Highway 1 climbs from sea level. It reaches an altitude of 300 meters. This is the highest point on the highway south of Amberley in north Canterbury.

Road Features

Most of this road section has three lanes. There are two lanes for cars going uphill on each side of the hill. There is also a passing lane for traffic heading south near the top. This part of the road is fairly flat. In winter, the highway is sometimes closed because of snow.

Alternative Coastal Route

There is a narrow, winding, and scenic road that avoids the Kilmog. This route follows the coast. It passes by small towns like Warrington and Seacliff. However, this road is not in very good condition. It is not recommended for large trucks or heavy vehicles.

Life in the Kilmog Area

The Kilmog area does not have many people living there. Besides farms around Merton, only the coastal part is populated. A line of small towns stretches along the coast. These go from Warrington in the south to Puketeraki in the north. The most well-known of these towns is Seacliff.

Understanding Kilmog's Land

The land in the Kilmog area is mostly made of a type of rock called basalt. This basalt pushed its way into an older, raised area of land. This older land is mostly Cretaceous schist. On top of this, there is a layer of sandstone with some quartz.

Land Stability Challenges

Much of the Kilmog area is prone to "slumping." This means the land can slowly slide or move downwards. This movement causes regular maintenance work for the highway. The unstable land also affected buildings in the past. For example, a large building in Seacliff was structurally damaged. This was due to the land moving. Also, a railway tunnel on the South Island Main Trunk line had to be replaced. It was replaced with an open cutting because of the unstable ground.

What Does "Kilmog" Mean?

The name of the hill, Kilmog, is believed to come from a Southern Māori word. This word is kirimoko, kilimoko, or kilimogo. It was the name of a type of mānuka tree. Early Māori people used this tree to make a kind of tea.