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Story: West Coast places

Ōkarito Lagoon

Ōkarito Lagoon

Ōkarito’s shallow lagoon is held in place by a sandbar covered in dunes. The size of the outlet to the sea varies according to currents and sea conditions. The settlement of Ōkarito is at the bottom of the picture, partly obscured by trees.

During the gold-rush period, from the late 1860s to the 1880s, small ships that had travelled across the Tasman Sea from Australia moored in the lagoon, and unloaded people and supplies.

About this item

acpalmer photography
Photograph by Andy Palmer

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How to cite this page:

Simon Nathan. 'West Coast places', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 22-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/west-coast-places/13/4