Spit, not Spite, nor Spittal [Aramoana] (Otago) Traditional Cache
Cumbyrocks: Done its dash this cache.
Spit, not Spite, nor Spittal [Aramoana] (Otago)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Aramoana, also known as "The Spit" to locals, is a small coastal settlement, 27 kilometres north of Dunedin city, The settlement's permanent population in 2001 Census was 261. Supplementing this are seasonal visitors from the city who occupy cribs, or baches to North Islanders! The name Aramoana is Maori for "pathway to the sea" and this place is teeming with bird and sea life.
Originally founded by The Otago Harbour Board, it established in the 1880s as an ideal pilot station for navigation around the mouth of the Otago Harbour. In the 1950s the town became popular as a beach resort and a rural life village due to the construction of a mole, to inhibit the spread of tidal sands into the mouth of the Otago Harbour.
The main channel of the harbour is kept clear by the Aramoana mole (see Double Agent GC2MCVJ) an artificial breakwater which extends for 1200 metres from Aramoana. The mole was originally intended to extend another 600 meters into the ocean, however due to tidal patterns and the instability of the construction, no attempt to extend beyond the current length was thought to be possible. To the southwestern side of the township extend expansive salty mudflats from the head of the Aramoana Spit around the habourside to the township of Te Ngaru. This area is a protected Wildlife Sanctuary, which hosts a range of plant and animal life, both native and exotic.
On the other side of the Spit is an expanse of beach, truncated by the Aramoana Mole. The beach and sand dunes to the east are known as Shelly Beach. The beach to the west is known as Big Beach and, extends for over two kilometers. At points along this beach, steep rockfaces come down to the waterline. These are well used for practical training by local rock-climbers. Seals can be found sun bathing on the rocks of the spit, so keep an eye out for the locals! Hardy surfers rave about the waves here too!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va Terra, ba terl, snpvat Gnvnebn Urnq.