Houghton Bay
| Houghton Bay | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Basic information | |
| Local authority | Wellington City |
| Facilities | |
| Surrounds | |
| North | Melrose |
| South | Cook Strait |
| West | Island Bay |
| Northwest | Southgate |
Houghton Bay is one of the southern suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand.
Contents |
[edit] Location
It is between Island Bay and Lyall Bay, on the rocky shores of the Cook Strait. It has a beach ach that skirts Princess Bay, used by surfers and divers.
[edit] Character
Houghton Bay is predominantly a residential area, but also contains the southern part of Wellington's Southern Walkway, the Buckley Road reserve, Houghton Valley School and the Southern Headlands Reserve. Along with other parts of Wellington's South Coast it is a popular recreational diving and fishing spot. In 2005 the decommissioned frigate HMNZS Wellington was sunk off Houghton Bay, and is now an artificial reef and dive location. Houghton Bay has a long history as a favourite surf spot of locals, and is smaller sister to neighbour and primary surfing locale Lyall Bay. On the hill overlooking the breakers is the legendary Wellington dance and dining venue, The Pines.
[edit] Transport
The primary residential and access streets are Hungerford Road, View Road and Houghton Bay Road.
[edit] Artists
Houghton Valley and Bay are home to musicians and artists, and to the Haewai Meadery and Wind Farm.
[edit] Aurora Australis
The Aurora Australis can be seen, as the light pollution is shielded to some degree by the range of hills along the coastline. Photos and reports are available online at Sharing Space. Aurora Report
A dark sky is necessary as most aurorae are weak and barely visible to the naked eye at this latitude.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Astronomy in New Zealand
- Aurora Images and report
- Save The Point Org
- Light Trespass
- RASNZ - Dark Sky Vision Statements
- Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
- Atmospheric Images from Wellington
- Surf photos of Houghton Bay
Coordinates: 41°21′S 174°47′E / 41.35°S 174.783°E
 |
This Wellington Region-related geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
