Driving from Riverton to the Colac Bay Freedom Camp in the Southland Region of New Zealand
Channel: ScenicDrive Productions
Date: 2023-03-15

Driving from Riverton to the Colac Bay Freedom Camp in the Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island. 

Riverton is a small seaside town located at the western end of Oreti Beach, about 30km from Invercargill on SH99, the Southern Scenic Route. The town is one of the most popular in Western Southland and has many attractions. 

Riverton is set in a picturesque location close to the sea and covers both sides of the estuary of the Jacobs River (also known as the Aparima River) The town's surrounding beaches and the estuary are natural playgrounds. Taramea Bay is a favourite as it provides safe swimming, while Mitchell's Bay is perfect for surfing. The bays and up the Aparima River often have Dolphins swimming. 

Riverton (Aparima) is the oldest European settlement in Southland. It is also one of the oldest settlements for Europeans in New Zealand. The main streets of Riverton are dotted with local artists' studios and many cafes, vintage shops, and local goods stores. The Riverton Racing Club's two-day Easter carnival is Southland's best-known race meeting. Te Hīkoi, the Riverton Heritage Centre, opened in 2007. 

Before the arrival of Europeans, Riverton was home to a substantial Maori pa called Aparima, the inhabitants attracted by the harbour and plentiful seafood. In the mid-1830s, Captain John Howell established a whaling station there. He took a Māori woman of high rank as his wife and acquired a lot of lands. A large memorial beside the Aparima River estuary commemorates Howell. 

Farming has been the most important economic activity in the district. Still, there has also been timber and flax milling, gold mining, and fishing. Chinese miners worked at Round Hill in 1888. The port was active for commerce until a railway opened to Invercargill in 1879. Since then, it's only been used for fishing and recreation. 

Riverton has kept many colonial buildings and cribs (tiny holiday homes) on the west side of the estuary and at the Rocks on Howell Point. Pleasure craft and fishing boats ply the adjacent seas. 

Colac Bay, or Oraka, is a short 12 km drive westward from Riverton. The Colac Bay beach is Southland's most well-known surf spot, with waves suitable for all levels. The northern end of the beach is excellent for swimming. The Colac Bay Classic, a surf competition for all ages, is held annually in the bay. The bay's sandy beach is perfect for most coastal activities, including beach combing, walking, paddling, fishing, diving, or horse riding. You can see Raratoka Island, Centre Island, and Stewart Island from the beach places. A small township of the same name is nestled in the bay and is a popular seaside retreat. The town features a sizeable quirky statue of a surfer riding a wave offering a great photo opportunity for tourists.

The area around the township and the bay has a long history of Maori settlement. In the 1850s, European settlers arrived to mill timber, and the town's population increased quickly after the railway arrived in 1881. By 1900, the Colac Bay township contained about 2,000 people, with a post office, hall, school, blacksmiths, numerous shops, hotels, and a sailmaker. Nearby were the Chinese gold diggings at Round Hill. The area was also the site of a significant Chinese gold mining village called Canton.

Today there are sheep, deer, and cattle farms. The bay is a popular holiday resort with a tavern, cafe, shop, freedom camping area, and many holiday homes.

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