Weka Pass facts for kids
Weka Pass is a special place in the northern Canterbury region of New Zealand. It's located on the South Island, between the towns of Waipara and Waikari.
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How Weka Pass Was Formed
The Waipara River helped create Weka Pass. Over a very long time, the river slowly wore away the soft limestone and mudstone rocks in the area. This process, called erosion, carved out the pass we see today.
Unique Rock Shapes
Because of this erosion, you can see many interesting limestone rock formations in the pass. These rocks have fun names like Frog Rock and The Seal, because they look a bit like those things!
Nature and Wine
Weka Pass is also home to different kinds of birds, including the kiwi, which is New Zealand's national bird. The land around the pass is also famous for growing grapes and making delicious wine.
Māori History and Art
Māori people first explored the Weka Pass area about a thousand years ago. They found a large limestone overhang that offered good shelter. Early European explorers also used this overhang for protection.
Ancient Rock Paintings
Under this limestone overhang, you can find ancient Māori rock art. This art is now the main attraction of the Weka Pass Historic Park. You can visit the art cave by taking a 2.25 kilometer (about 1.4 mile) hike.
Preserving the Art
In 1930, the ancient art was painted over. This was done to try and protect the original markings for people in the future. If you want to see what the original, untouched cave paintings looked like, you can see pictures and copies of them at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa).
The Weka Pass Railway
Both State Highway 7 and a railway line run through Weka Pass. This railway line was built in 1882.
A Railway's Journey
The railway was originally planned to be part of the Main North Line, connecting Christchurch to Nelson and Blenheim. However, the main line eventually took a different route along the coast, north from Waipara. The line through Weka Pass then became part of the Waiau Branch line.
Saving the Railway
The Waiau Branch line operated until January 15, 1978. Luckily, a group of people who wanted to save the railway formed the Weka Pass Railway preservation group. They have restored the section of the railway that goes through Weka Pass. Today, it's a special railway that mostly takes tourists on scenic rides.
