Te Ara a Kewa / Foveaux Strait topographic map
Interactive map
Click on the map to display elevation.
Te Ara a Kewa / Foveaux Strait
The French navigator Jules de Blosseville on board a French expeditionary vessel Coquille, was the first person to describe the strait in detail. He wrote in 1823: "Whirlpools are frequently to be met with and the position is one of great peril when the direction of the waves is contrary to that of the wind". Blosseville also compared Foveaux Strait with Bass Strait, writing that currents were "much stronger", with the most dangerous being between Raratoka Island and the South Island, where "the flow and ebb rush through with a speed of as much as 5–6 miles" (8.0–9.7 km per hour). The combination of wind, tides and seafloor topography in Foveaux Strait can lead to steep waves, dangerous overfalls and tidal rips. Sea conditions are rough when fresh winds blow in the opposite direction to a strong tidal flow. In 2009, following several accident investigations, Maritime New Zealand arranged for warning notes to be added to charts of the area.
About this map

Name: Te Ara a Kewa / Foveaux Strait topographic map, elevation, terrain.
Average elevation: 30 m
Minimum elevation: -1 m
Maximum elevation: 959 m
Southland trails, hiking, mountain biking, running and outdoor activities
Other topographic maps
Click on a map to view its topography, its elevation and its terrain.

Fortrose
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 12 m

Hikuraki / North Mavora Lake
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Fiordland Community
Average elevation: 1,071 m

Tokanui
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 85 m

Orepuki
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Tuatapere Te Waewae Community
Average elevation: 22 m

Wairaki
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Tuatapere Te Waewae Community
Average elevation: 100 m

Redan
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 109 m

Table Mount
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Fiordland Community
Average elevation: 816 m

Wyndham
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 32 m

Pahia
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Tuatapere Te Waewae Community
Average elevation: 15 m

Longbush
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 32 m

Rakahouka
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 38 m

Long Beach
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community
Average elevation: 36 m

Mamaku Point
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Stewart Island / Rakiura Community
Average elevation: 14 m

Oban
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Stewart Island / Rakiura Community
Average elevation: 23 m

Dipton West
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Oreti Community > Dipton West
Average elevation: 132 m

Opio
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Wallace Takitimu Community > Opio
Average elevation: 175 m

Ohai
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Wallace Takitimu Community
Average elevation: 188 m

Thomsons Crossing
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Oreti Community > Thomsons Crossing
Average elevation: 42 m

Slope Point
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Waihopai Toetoe Community > Slope Point
Average elevation: 36 m

Little River
New Zealand > Southland > Southland District > Stewart Island/Rakiura Community
Average elevation: 62 m