Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Waverley cave collapses into sea

The Waverly cave before the collapse
The Cave Beach section of Waverley Beach will need a new name as long-term erosion took its toll last week.

On Friday the middle bridging section of the cave cliff finally collapsed, ending what had been a great fishing spot, diving platform and iconic scene for photographers and painters.

Bill and Joan Hunt, residents on nearby Coleman Ave for 19 years, said the end of the cave had been a matter of time.

"There's been a lot of erosion that we've seen in this time," said Mrs Hunt. "There must have been hundreds of photographs taken with the sun setting through it. "And as for people who sat there painting it, lots of people, not just locals either."


The couple now only have their own photo album and memories. "There's been a few fish caught off that, I tell you," said Mrs Hunt. Mr Hunt said there used to be a ledge where young people could leap off into the surf. "You'd get ticked off by your parents." The entire cliff face had changed as there used to be more land behind the bridging section as well. "They've all just gradually dropped away over the years, you're not going to stop that," Mr Hunt said.

The signposts which direct traffic to the carpark area and boat ramp still read Cave Beach.

The Cave Beach section of Waverley Beach collapsed recently.
Source: Taranaki daily news 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Waverley cave collapses into sea

The Waverly cave before the collapse
The Cave Beach section of Waverley Beach will need a new name as long-term erosion took its toll last week.

On Friday the middle bridging section of the cave cliff finally collapsed, ending what had been a great fishing spot, diving platform and iconic scene for photographers and painters.

Bill and Joan Hunt, residents on nearby Coleman Ave for 19 years, said the end of the cave had been a matter of time.

"There's been a lot of erosion that we've seen in this time," said Mrs Hunt. "There must have been hundreds of photographs taken with the sun setting through it. "And as for people who sat there painting it, lots of people, not just locals either."


The couple now only have their own photo album and memories. "There's been a few fish caught off that, I tell you," said Mrs Hunt. Mr Hunt said there used to be a ledge where young people could leap off into the surf. "You'd get ticked off by your parents." The entire cliff face had changed as there used to be more land behind the bridging section as well. "They've all just gradually dropped away over the years, you're not going to stop that," Mr Hunt said.

The signposts which direct traffic to the carpark area and boat ramp still read Cave Beach.

The Cave Beach section of Waverley Beach collapsed recently.
Source: Taranaki daily news