Colac Bay

{{Short description|Township in New Zealand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2015}}

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Colac Bay / Ōraka

|native_name = {{native name|mi|Ōraka}}

|settlement_type = Township

|image_skyline =

|image_alt =

|image_caption =

|etymology = From Māori, Ō place of, and Raka, a local chief

|pushpin_map = New Zealand

|pushpin_map_alt = Location map showing Colac Bay / Ōraka at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island

|pushpin_map_caption = Location of Colac Bay / Ōraka in New Zealand

|pushpin_label_position =

|mapframe = yes

|coordinates = {{coord|-46.362|167.876|region:NZ_type:town|display=inline,title}}

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = New Zealand

|subdivision_type1 = Region

|subdivision_name1 = Southland Region

|subdivision_type2 = District

|subdivision_name2 = Southland District

|established_title = Established

|established_date = 1850s

|unit_pref = Metric

|elevation_m =

|population_as_of =

|population_total =

|timezone1 = NZST

|utc_offset1 = +12

|timezone1_DST = NZDT

|utc_offset1_DST = +13

}}

Colac Bay / Ōraka is a small township situated on the bay of the same name facing Foveaux Strait, and located on the Southern Scenic Route, 10 minutes from Riverton, New Zealand. Surrounding areas include Longwood, Tihaka, Waipango, Round Hill, Wakapatu, Ruahine, Pahia and Orepuki.

Pākehā first arrived in the area in the 1850s to mill timber and mine for gold in the neighbouring Longwood Range. By 1881, the town had been connected to the growing rail network, and by 1900 it had reached a population of around 2000 people.{{cite web |title=Colac Bay {{!}} NZ History |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/colac-bay |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |access-date=21 December 2024}} The town has a well appointed cafe, craft shop, pub, caravan park, community hall and marae. The town also features a statue of a surfer riding a wave, which is popular with tourists.{{cite web |title=Colac Bay Ōraka |url=https://southlandnz.com/listing/colac-bay-%C5%8Craka/382/ |website=southlandnz.com |access-date=21 December 2024 |language=en-us}}

The hills behind Colac are part of the Longwood Range, which were a major gold mining area between the 1860s and 1950s.{{cite web |title=Longwood Forest Conservation Area |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/longwood-forest-conservation-area/ |website=Department of Conservation |access-date=21 December 2024 |language=en-nz}} Further west shale was also mined for a short time. In the gold mining days there was a significant Chinese village towards Orepuki called Canton.

Colac Bay Hill, Lake George, Howell's Hills and the Longwood Range make up the geographic landmarks. In some places Raratoka Island or Centre Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura can be seen by looking across Foveaux Strait.