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All New Zealand Kaiteriteri Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock

Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock

This unusual rock formation looks like an apple that has been neatly sliced in half.

Kaiteriteri, New Zealand

Added By
Claire Donkin
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Split Apple Rock.   Tristan Schmurr/cc by 2.0
Split Apple Rock.   Tony Hisgett/cc by 2.0
Split Apple Rock.   Harshil Shah/cc by-nd 2.0
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About

What looks like a giant stone apple cleaved neatly in half by some otherworldly knife sits within the beautiful crystal clear waters of the Tasman Bay. This strange boulder makes for an unusual beach attraction.

Known as Split Apple Rock, the naturally occurring rock formation is located just off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Marahau in Abel Tasman National Park. It’s made of granite and estimated to be around 120 million years old.

According to Māori legend, the boulder was split by two feuding gods who were fighting to possess it. To resolve the issue, they used their huge godlike strength to break it in half. As such, the Māori name for the rock is Tokangawhā, which means “burst open rock.” A more scientific theory is that water seeped into a crevice in the rock and then froze during an ice age, expanding and thus splitting the stone.

The rock is 160 feet or so out from the shore. The beach can be accessed by walking down a short track just outside the town of Kaiteriteri; alternatively, kayak tours or water taxis will let you see the rock from the sea.

In 2014, the formation was officially named Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock.

Related Tags

Rock Formations Rocks Geological Oddities Geology Mythology

Know Before You Go

You can walk out to the rock at low tide (you'll still be wading through water). Or, when the water's high, you can kayak there. Public toilets are available near the beach on Moonraker Way.

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Added By

Donkers

Edited By

pallantejm, Kerry Wolfe

  • pallantejm
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

September 11, 2018

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokangawh%C4%81_/_Split_Apple_Rock
  • https://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/7488453/
Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock
Split Apple Rock
Kaiteriteri
New Zealand
-41.018289, 173.020219
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