Daily Photo – Blackhead Beach

Speaking of Blackhead Beach, I came across a story that I found rather amusing. I’ve no idea if it’s true, but it’s a good one nevertheless.

Back in the 1980s, when everyone was wearing shoulder pads, parachute pants, and glowing like neon nightlights in all that fluro clothing, a local Dunedin firm supposedly came up with the unique idea of turning the point, with its distinctive basalt columns, into a man-made harbour.

The plan, as I understand it, was to keep quarrying the centre of the headland until they had a colossal hole some 50 metres below sea level. Then they’d blast through the seaward wall, allowing the Pacific Ocean to rush in and flood the pit, creating a safe, man-made boat harbour for local boaties.

Let’s just think about that: they were prepared to sacrifice an internationally recognised geological wonder – one that had been compared to the Giant’s Causeway – just to create an artificial, industrial-scale paddling pool. The sheer confidence of the idea is breathtaking.

Happily, the story ends well. A concerted effort by environmentalists, surfers, and other local groups managed to save the spectacular columns, scuppering the harbour scheme for good.