The Beach Awaits
Popularly known as "the Sands", the Territory of Blacksands is one of Sirocco's many coastal claims, and the only place where Sirocco meets New Zealand's wild west coast. Situated close to the small coastal village of Bethells Beach, west of Auckland, Blacksands is renowned for its surf, relative isolation, and curious black sand, from whence the territory receives both its English and Siroccan names.
Despite having no permanent population, there are two main localities in Blacksands: Rockingham to the west, and Exploration Bay in the centre-north. Rockingham is the main gateway into Blacksands, although there are several points of access into the territory. Tourists are invited to enjoy the splendour of Blacksands, but are warned to be aware of the dangerous nature of Auckland's west coast beaches, in particular their infamous rip tides. Also of note are the pockets of quicksand that lie around the Waitakere River, although there is believed to be no danger posed to visitors to Rockingham or Exploration Bay. |
Blacksands' flag is representative of the iron sand deposits along Auckland's west coast, and the forests of the Waitakere Ranges.
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