Port Chalmers

Port Chalmers is a town of 3,000 people located within the boundaries of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Port Chalmers lies ten kilometres inside Otago Harbour, some 15 kilometres northeast from Dunedin's city centre. Much of it is located on a small hilly peninsula, at the northern end of which is a large reclaimed area which is now the site of Dunedin's container port.

Related Topics:
Dunedin - New Zealand - Otago Harbour

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Although the harbour beyond Port Chalmers is regularly dredged, most of the port activity is centred on Port Chalmers rather than on Dunedin. Much of the town's economic activity centres on the container terminal. Fishing, of historic importance to the town, is now only a small part of the economy.

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The port was the last visited by Robert Falcon Scott before heading south on his final expedition to Antarctica.

Related Topics:
Robert Falcon Scott - Antarctica

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Port Chalmers and the surrounding townships of Careys Bay, Roseneath and Sawyers Bay have a thriving arts community, and the town is regarded as a haven for alternative lifestylers. Noted residents of the town include Maori artist Ralph Hotere.

Related Topics:
Alternative lifestyle - Maori - Ralph Hotere

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Port Chalmers was also the appelation of a ship which sailed between England, Australia and New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century. It was torpedoed in mid-October 1940 and sunk, with some crew surviving 14 days at sea on the lifeboat.

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See also Port Chalmers community web site

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