Kawarau Gorge, Canyon in Otago Region, New Zealand.
The Kawarau River carved this 25-kilometer gorge through rocky terrain, creating steep walls that rise 232 meters above sea level.
During the 1860s Otago gold rush, miners established settlements along the gorge's banks, leaving behind preserved cottages and mining equipment.
The natural bridge Whatatorere held importance for Māori people as a crossing point where the river narrows to just over one meter.
State Highway 6 runs through the gorge, connecting Queenstown to Cromwell while providing access points for activities like kayaking and riverboarding.
The fungus weevil Cerius otagensis inhabits this gorge as one of only two locations where scientists have discovered this rare insect species.
Location: Otago Region
Elevation above the sea: 232 m
GPS coordinates: -45.02000,169.09000
Latest update: March 7, 2025 20:30
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