Farewell Spit
New Zealand's longest sand spit, curling 26 kilometres into the Tasman Sea, and a Ramsar-listed wetland hosting tens of thousands of migratory wading birds each year.
Quick Facts
- Region
- Tasman, South Island
- Best time
- Sep – Mar (migratory bird season)
- Entry fee
- Free (public area); guided tours from ~$150
- Duration
- Half day – full day
Overview
Farewell Spit is a narrow, curving arm of sand at the very top of the South Island, built up over thousands of years by currents sweeping sand from the West Coast. Much of it is a nature reserve accessible only on guided tours, protecting a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention.
Each spring, tens of thousands of migratory wading birds — including bar-tailed godwits that fly here non-stop from Alaska — arrive to feed on the spit's tidal flats before the return journey. It's also a well-known site for occasional mass strandings of pilot whales, a natural phenomenon local communities have responded to with large-scale rescue efforts over the decades.
Things To Do
- Guided 4WD tour — the only way to reach the outer spit and lighthouse, run by a local operator with reserve access.
- Bird watching — spring and summer bring large flocks of migratory waders to the tidal flats.
- Farewell Spit lighthouse — visited as part of the guided tour, near the tip of the sand spit.
- Puponga Farm Park — walking tracks at the base of the spit, freely accessible without a tour.
- Wharariki Beach — a dramatic, wild beach with rock arches a short drive from the spit's base.
Getting There
Farewell Spit is at the very top of Golden Bay, about 2.5 hours' drive from Nelson via Takaka. Guided tours depart from Collingwood or Puponga, the small settlements nearest the spit.
| Location | Golden Bay, Tasman District |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Puponga Farm Park accessible daily; guided tours run on a set schedule |
| Entry Fee | Free for the public area; guided tours typically from NZD $150 |
| Duration | Half day for a guided tour; less for the public area alone |
| Accessibility | Public walking tracks are unsealed; tour vehicles handle the outer spit |
Gallery
Nearby Attractions
Wharariki Beach
A wild, dune-backed beach with dramatic rock arches, a short drive from the spit.
Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand's smallest national park, about 1.5 hours' drive south.
Golden Bay
The wider bay at the top of the South Island, known for its relaxed, remote feel.