Riverton, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Riverton or Aparima is a small town at the south of the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is in the Southland region and lies at the western end of Oreti Beach
, 30 kilometres west of Invercargill
on the Southern Scenic Route
. It is approx. 45 km from Stewart Island and provides a safe harbour from the Foveaux Straight.
Riverton is one of New Zealand's oldest towns. 2011 saw their 175th celebrations.
The Pourakino River
and Aparima River
empty into Foveaux Strait
at Riverton. Riverton's population is currently about 1900 people, and its main industry is fishing
. However farming (esp. dairying) is fast becoming the industry of influence as the fishing slowly dries up. The fish factory based on its main wharf has now closed. The harbour is still quite busy however as it is the nearest safe harbour for access to NZ's south / west seas. It is also popular for water skiing, rowing, fishing and catching the occasional flounder.
Real estate has been the biggest boom of late which has seen prices rise over 300 - 500 percent. In 2005 there was one main estate agent but the town has up to 6 at any one time. This is mainly due to the recent economic boom in NZ and the fact that Riverton has one of a few safe swimming beaches making it a popular destination within the immediate region surrounding Invercargill.
The large camping ground which was only one block off the beach has been bought by land developers and is sliced up into house lots. This leaves one small camping ground up on the hill and very limited other accommodation.
It has a high school called Aparima College (years 7-13), and a primary school called Riverton Primary.
On 9 June 1879, a branch line
railway from Invercargill was opened to Riverton. Over the course of the next few decades, further extensions were made to the railway and it became known as the Tuatapere Branch
. On 30 July 1976, it was truncated from Tuatapere
back to Riverton and became known as the Riverton Branch. There were hopes that forestry traffic would generate sufficient tonnages to warrant the continued operation of the line, but these hopes failed to come to fruition and the railway to Riverton was closed on 15 January 1978. The railway truss bridge
and causeway
were removed in 2001.
Riverton is not far from:
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is in the Southland region and lies at the western end of Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach is the central bay of three lying on the Foveaux Strait coast of Southland, New Zealand, the others being Te Waewae Bay and Toetoes Bay...
, 30 kilometres west of Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
on the Southern Scenic Route
Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins...
. It is approx. 45 km from Stewart Island and provides a safe harbour from the Foveaux Straight.
Riverton is one of New Zealand's oldest towns. 2011 saw their 175th celebrations.
The Pourakino River
Pourakino River
The Pourakino River is a river in New Zealand, flowing into the Jacobs River Estuary at Riverton.-References:...
and Aparima River
Aparima River
The Aparima River is located in Southland, New Zealand. It has its headwaters in the Takitimu Mountains, south of Lake Te Anau, and flows south for 100 kilometres before entering Foveaux Strait near Riverton at the north end of Oreti Beach....
empty into Foveaux Strait
Foveaux Strait
Foveaux Strait separates Stewart Island/Rakiura, New Zealand's third largest island, from the South Island. Three large bays, Te Waewae Bay, Oreti Beach and Toetoes Bay, sweep along the strait's northern coast, which also hosts Bluff township and harbour. Across the strait lie the Solander...
at Riverton. Riverton's population is currently about 1900 people, and its main industry is fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. However farming (esp. dairying) is fast becoming the industry of influence as the fishing slowly dries up. The fish factory based on its main wharf has now closed. The harbour is still quite busy however as it is the nearest safe harbour for access to NZ's south / west seas. It is also popular for water skiing, rowing, fishing and catching the occasional flounder.
Real estate has been the biggest boom of late which has seen prices rise over 300 - 500 percent. In 2005 there was one main estate agent but the town has up to 6 at any one time. This is mainly due to the recent economic boom in NZ and the fact that Riverton has one of a few safe swimming beaches making it a popular destination within the immediate region surrounding Invercargill.
The large camping ground which was only one block off the beach has been bought by land developers and is sliced up into house lots. This leaves one small camping ground up on the hill and very limited other accommodation.
It has a high school called Aparima College (years 7-13), and a primary school called Riverton Primary.
History
Riverton was established by Captain John Howell as a whaling station about 1837, when it was called Jacob's River. His house, which survives, was built about that time and is the oldest surviving building in the South Island. His grave site is well kept in the local cemetery.On 9 June 1879, a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway from Invercargill was opened to Riverton. Over the course of the next few decades, further extensions were made to the railway and it became known as the Tuatapere Branch
Tuatapere Branch
The Tuatapere Branch, including the Orawia Branch, was a branch line railway in Southland, New Zealand. Although the Tuatapere and Orawia Branches look like a single line, operationally they were considered separate lines. The first section opened to Riverton in 1879 and reached Tuatapere three...
. On 30 July 1976, it was truncated from Tuatapere
Tuatapere
Tuatapere is a small rural town in Southland, New Zealand . It is located eight kilometres from the southern coast. The Waiau River flows through the town before reaching Te Waewae Bay, where it has its outflow into Foveaux Strait...
back to Riverton and became known as the Riverton Branch. There were hopes that forestry traffic would generate sufficient tonnages to warrant the continued operation of the line, but these hopes failed to come to fruition and the railway to Riverton was closed on 15 January 1978. The railway truss bridge
Truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern bridges...
and causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
were removed in 2001.
Surfing
Riverton has some great surf spots for those who like to 'ride the waves'. Mitchells Bay is a great right hand point break that performs well at mid tide, waves can be found at 'Petrol Pumps' (named after a now closed small Caltex auto garage located there), the bay before and occasionally further round when the tides are right. Colac Bay, home of NZ's largest surf statue has a gnarly beach break that will test even the experienced with both left and right-handers. There is also the imfamous 'Porridge'. A very large left hand point break that breaks more boards that the local board repairers can keep up with. Best you check with the locals for directions. Mitchells Bay is perfect for learning but some days it might be a bit too much for the learners.Art
Riverton has a great art gallery that runs mainly summer hours plus two private galleries.. This town is blessed with a high degree of artists and their work can be found at any of the three local galleries. Local artists include Wayne Hill, a surfing local who creates mainly sculpture from beach scavenged materials. John Husband, features often in the local newspaper and has a nice historical feel to his paintings and drawings and Dawn Barry who paints often with a sea based theme. Dawn has her own gallery 'around the rocks'.Attractions
- The Rocks; includes Mitchells Bay and Hendersons Bay
- Taramea Bay; nice beach, has a soundshell for events including New Year's Eve beach party
- Harbour; with lots of fishing and charter boats
- Mores Reserve; walking tracks, excellent lookout
- Howells Point; nice picnic area
- The Big Paua; A large PauaPauaPāua is the Māori name given to three species of large edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs which belong to the family Haliotidae , known in the United States and Australia as abalone, and in the United Kingdom as ormer shells.-Species:There are three species of New Zealand pāua:New...
Shell made by a local company Fiordland Souvenirs - The Viewing Platform; A large structure built by the local community board - this has polarised the community because of its cost.
- Aparima Estuary; wild wetlands area, native and migrant water foul and lush fauna
- Mitchells bay; excellent longboarding beach
Riverton is not far from:
- Colac BayColac BayColac Bay is a small township on the Southern Scenic Route, 10 minutes from Riverton. Surrounding areas include Longwood, Tihaka, Waipango, Round Hill, Wakapatu, Ruahine, Pahia and Orepuki....
; great bay - OrepukiOrepukiOrepuki in Southland, New Zealand is a small country township on the coast of Te Waewae Bay some 20 minutes from Riverton, 15 minutes from Tuatapere and 50 minutes from Invercargill that sits at the foot of the Longwood Range...
; has Monkey Island beach - PahiaPahiaPahia is a small rural locality in coastal Southland, New Zealand, not to be confused with the North Island tourist resort of Paihia. Surrounding areas include Ruahine, Wakapatu, Round Hill, Colac Bay and Orepuki. The main road, Orepuki-Riverton Hwy , runs through it...
; with Cosy Nook and 'Porridge' surf break - InvercargillInvercargillInvercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
; twenty minute drive away
External links
- http://www.riverton-aparima.co.nz
- http://www.riverton.co.nz
- Aparima College
- Removal of the railway truss bridge and causeway - http://www.linz.govt.nz/publications/landscan/landscandec2000/index.html#5