Wills River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wills River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Haast River |
| Length | 19 km (12 mi) |
The Wills River is a river found in the southern West Coast area of New Zealand's South Island. It's a relatively short river, flowing for about 19 kilometres (12 miles) before joining a larger river.
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What is the Wills River?
The Wills River is a natural waterway that plays a part in the landscape of the South Island. It's known for its location within the beautiful and rugged West Coast region.
Where is the Wills River located?
The Wills River is located in the southern part of the West Coast region in New Zealand's South Island. It flows towards the west and eventually joins the Haast River. This meeting point is about 10 kilometres (6 miles) north of the famous Haast Pass. The Haast Pass is a mountain pass that connects the Otago region with the West Coast.
How did the Wills River get its name?
The river was named by an important explorer named Julius von Haast. He was exploring the area a long time ago, looking for a way to cross from the Otago region over to the West Coast.
Who was Julius von Haast?
Julius von Haast was a German geologist and explorer. He did a lot of important work in New Zealand during the 1860s. He explored many parts of the South Island, mapping the land and discovering new places. He named many rivers, mountains, and glaciers after people he admired or places he knew.
Who were William John Wills and Robert O'Hara Burke?
Julius von Haast named the Wills River after William John Wills. Wills was an explorer from England who was part of a famous, but tragic, expedition in Australia. This expedition was called the Burke and Wills expedition. The nearby Burke River is also named after another leader of that expedition, Robert O'Hara Burke. These explorers were known for their courage in trying to cross the Australian continent.
