Ruapuke Island is one of the southernmost islands in New Zealand's main chain of islands. It lies 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the southeast of Bluff and 32 kilometres (20 mi) northeast of Oban on Stewart Island/Rakiura. The island covers an area of about 16 km2 (6 sq mi). It guards the eastern end of Foveaux Strait. The island is uninhabited but formerly had a Māori population of 200.
The center of the island is flat with a height of 41 m (135 ft), and there are hummocks on its north, south and west ends. The island is covered with stunted trees. North Head, the north end of Ruapuke Island, is a cliffy promontory rising to a hummock, 62 m (203 ft) high. Close to the westernmost, the island reaches 64 m (210 ft) in height.
Coordinates: 46°47′S 168°30′E / 46.783°S 168.5°E / -46.783; 168.5
Famous quotes containing the word island:
“When the inhabitants of some sequestered island first descry the “big canoe” of the European rolling through the blue waters towards their shores, they rush down to the beach in crowds, and with open arms stand ready to embrace the strangers. Fatal embrace! They fold to their bosoms the vipers whose sting is destined to poison all their joys; and the instinctive feeling of love within their breasts is soon converted into the bitterest hate.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)