Driving from the Colac Bay Freedom Camp to Monkey Island | Southland | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Campsites, Southland Region

Tags: colac bay, driving, monkey island, new zealand, southland

Added: 2 years ago

Driving from the Colac Bay Freedom Camp to Monkey Island, in the Southland region, on the South Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

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.