How do I get to Farewell Spit from Nelson?
Getting thereGetting there.From Takaka, follow State Highway 60 north to Farewell Spit. Public transport. There is no public transport to Puponga. Two DOC-approved operators run nature tours to Farewell Spit Lighthouse. You can freely enjoy Puponga Farm Park and can walk a short distance along the base of Farewell Spit.
Is Farewell Spit worth visiting?
Birds, wildlife, and beaches are the main reasons to visit Farewell Spit. Plus, visiting the northernmost tip of the South Island is a modest bucket-list adventure. As independent visitors are allowed on the first 2.5 miles of Farewell Spit, it's possible to visit just for the beaches.
How long does it take to walk Farewell Spit?
1 hr 30 minTime: 1 hr 30 min The entrance to the Inner Beach from the car park is through an entrance in the fence (kissing gate); walk along the beach until you reach the 4WD Spit Track.
What is there to do in Farewell Spit?
Sand dunes & panoramic views. A highlight of the trip along the spit beach is the opportunity to stop and climb one of the low sand dunes that run down the spine of the spit. ... Lighthouse. ... Gannet colony. ... Wader Watch Area. ... Fossil Point. ... Cape Farewell.
Why was Farewell Spit near Golden Bay in the news last week?
The pilot whales that died after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit have been secured to fixed points in the tidal zone to decompose naturally. The pilot whales that died after a mass stranding last week at Farewell Spit have been secured to fixed points in the tidal zone to decompose naturally.
Why was Farewell Spit in the news?
Thirty-six whales have been confirmed as stranded on Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island on Thursday night, and some have died. The Department of Conservation travelled to the area to confirm the stranding.
Can you walk on Farewell Spit?
Walking and Hiking Trails at Farewell Spit Otherwise, there's much more to discover along this coastline in an area known as the Puponga Farm Park. See the picturesque Wharariki Beach with its Archway Islands, the dramatic coastal cliffs of Cape Farewell and Pillar Point Lighthouse.
Why is it called Farewell Spit?
In 1770, Captain James Cook named it Farewell Spit as he left New Zealand at the end of his first visit. In the nineteenth century, frequent ship wrecks occurred on the spit. Between 1840 and 1887, ten ships were wrecked and numerous others stranded on the beach.
Can you swim at Wharariki Beach?
The scenery at Wharariki Beach easily rivals the recognised wonders of the world, and it is easy to while away a day exploring this wondrous coastal playground. Note: the weather at Wharariki is wild, and swimming is prohibited.
What is Cape Farewell?
Cape Farewell (Greenlandic: Nunap Isua; Danish: Kap Farvel) is a headland on the southern shore of Egger Island, Nunap Isua Archipelago, Greenland. As the southernmost point of the country, it is one of the important landmarks of Greenland.
What is there to do in Patons Rock?
Anatoki Salmon.Pupu Hydro Walkway.Rawhiti Cave Track.Labyrinth Rocks.Dancing Sands Distillery.Golden Bay Vistor Centre.Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve.Kiwi Spirit Distillery.More items...
What games can we play in farewell?
Fun Games to Play at a Farewell PartyTrivia Quiz. Make a quiz with questions about the honored guest who's leaving. ... Treasure Hunt Sardines. Create a treasure hunt where guests look for clues about the person going away and they all lead to the actual person. ... Packing Challenge. ... Clue Dinner Party. ... Betting Book.
How can I prepare for farewell in saree?
Wear an oxidized OTT boho neckpiece or a belt around the waist to keep your saree pallu in place. This way, you don't have to look too traditional but you'll still be following the farewell dress code. Styling Tip: A striped-saree looks best with a 3/4th or a full sleeves blouse.
What do you do at a farewell party at school?
7 ideas to host a school farewell partyDecide on the numbers. Figure out whether you are going to include the whole of the passing out batch or just a few close friends. ... Choose a leader. ... Throw a theme. ... Songs and music. ... Perform. ... Yummy food! ... Go click!
What is a farewell party for students?
Need for Farewell Speech – The farewell party is the time to speak something on behalf of the class to the seniors to wish them well. You may get an opportunity to speak on this day on behalf of your class. Many students get nervous about the name of speech but in reality its an easy task.
Am I allowed to travel from Nelson to Farewell Spit?
Yes, travel within New Zealand is currently allowed. Explore travel options
What is the cheapest way to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit?
The cheapest way to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit is to bus which costs $77 and takes 4h 29m. More details
What is the fastest way to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit?
The quickest way to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit is to bus which costs $77 and takes 4h 29m. More details
What is the distance between Nelson and Farewell Spit?
The distance between Nelson and Farewell Spit is 91 km.
How do I travel from Nelson to Farewell Spit without a car?
The best way to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit without a car is to bus and travel which takes 2h 41m and costs . More details
How long does it take to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit?
It takes approximately 2h 41m to get from Nelson to Farewell Spit, including transfers. More details
Where can I stay near Farewell Spit?
There are four+ hotels available in Farewell Spit. Prices start at $150 NZD per night. More details
What are the travel restrictions in Farewell Spit?
Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may applyFace masks are recommendedThere is a social distancing requirement of 2 metresObser...
What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Farewell Spit?
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Farewell Spit is 0800 358 5453. Learn More.
Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Farewell Spit?
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Farewell Spit is recommended. Learn More.
Where to see the Farewell Spit Lighthouse?
Along the beach you'll see stunning views of the Tasman Sea coastline and the opportunity to climb the sand dune at Mullet Channel for panoramic views of the intertidal plain and a stop at Fossil Point, .
What is Cape Farewell?
Cape Farewell is the northernmost point of the South Island and the cliff-top views are spectacular . These dramatic coastal cliffs are sliced through with fault-lines (vertically walled slashes) where streams strangely run inland rather than to sea.
What is the highlight of the trip to Spit Beach?
A highlight of the trip along the spit beach is the opportunity to stop and climb one of the low sand dunes that run down the spine of the spit. From the top of the dunes a 360 degree view unfolds. Discover more...
How many godwits are there at the spit?
See where Whales strand and uncover the mystery of the migrant waders. During the summer there are up to 20,000 godwits and 30,000 knots at the Spit, as well as other northern migratory birds, New Zealand natives and introduced species. Bring cameras and binoculars to make the most of this nature-lover's paradise.
Where is the Farewell Spit?
Farewell Spit, at the tip of the South Island , is New Zealand’s longest sand spit (25 km) and a nature reserve. It is an internationally-renowned bird sanctuary with over 90 bird species recorded in the area. Every spring, thousands of wading birds arrive from the northern hemisphere. Other birds range from black swans to sparrows.
Why was Farewell Spit named?
In 1770, Captain Cook named it Farewell Spit as he left New Zealand. In 1870, the first lighthouse was built to prevent shipwrecks, which occurred frequently. Grazing of Farewell spit stopped in the late 1930s, but Puponga Farm Park is today a working farm operating under a DOC lease.
How far away from seals should you keep from the beach?
Keep at least 20 metres away from seals. At Farewell Spit. Quicksand hazard at the public access area : There is an intermittent issue with quicksand within the flat sand pans at the base of Farewell Spit. This hazard exists in the flat open sand areas within the dunes, not out on the beach.
How far away should you keep seals from swarming?
Keep at least 20 metres away from seals.
Where is the longest sand spit in New Zealand?
Farewell Spit, at the tip of the South Island, is New Zealand’s longest sand spit. Take a guided tour of this internationally-renowned bird sanctuary or explore Puponga Farm Park.
Can you walk on the farewell spit?
You can freely enjoy Puponga Farm Park and can walk a short distance along the base of Farewell Spit. There is no public access elsewhere on the Spit except by DOC permit or with a licensed tour operator.
Can you camp on the spit?
Camping is not permitted on both the Spit reserve and the Farm Park. Take your rubbish away with you when you leave. Do not light fires or smoke; Care is required in windy conditions on the Puponga Hilltop Walk. Keep at least 20 metres away from seals. At Farewell Spit. Quicksand hazard at the public access area : There is an intermittent issue ...
What to See and Do
Birds, wildlife, and beaches are the main reasons to visit Farewell Spit. Plus, visiting the northernmost tip of the South Island is a modest bucket-list adventure.
The Different Tours of Farewell Spit
Most of Farewell Spit is administered by New Zealand's Department of Conservation due to its importance as a bird habitat. Only one company has permission to take tourists to Farewell Spit, so that makes planning easy. Farewell Spit Tours operates from Collingwood, and take visitors out on large four-wheel-drive buses designed to drive on the sand.
How to Visit Without a Tour
If you don't want to join a tour but still want to experience something of the spit, independent visitors are permitted on the first 2.5 miles of the spit and at the Puponga Farm Park. Cape Farewell and Wharariki Beach can be reached from the parking lot at Puponga, so are easy for independent visitors to get to.
Where to stay
Takaka (population 1,300) is the biggest town in Golden Bay and offers the widest range of accommodation options. There are backpacker hostels, motels, guesthouses, and campgrounds. The Shady Rest is a particularly lovely boutique guesthouse in a century-old home on Takaka's main street.
How to Get there
Whether you take a guided tour or go it alone, you'll need your own vehicle to get to Golden Bay and Farewell Spit. A limited number of private shuttles run between Nelson/Motueka and Golden Bay, but these are primarily for trekkers embarking on the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park .
Where is Farewell Spit?
Farewell Spit. Sand dunes on Farewell Spit. Farewell Spit is a narrow sand spit at the northern end of the Golden Bay, South Island of New Zealand. Known to the Māori as Tuhuroa, it runs eastwards from Cape Farewell, the island's northernmost point. It is located about 50 kilometres north of Takaka and 20 kilometres from Collingwood.
What is the southern side of Farewell Spit?
The south side of Farewell Spit is home to many thousands of seabirds; it also the site of frequent whale strandings mainly by long-finned pilot whales. The northern side is bounded by the Tasman Sea .
How many whales are stranded on Farewell Spit?
Whale strandings have been a common occurrence throughout history on Farewell Spit. On 15 November 2012, a pod of pilot whales stranded themselves on the spit, around two kilometres north-east from the Spit Cafe. Eleven were found dead on the first day. The spit has claimed around 680 Whales since records began. In January 2014 several whales stranded and re-stranded. This included a pod of 50 pilot whales, many of whom died from stress or needed to be euthanised despite several attempts to refloat them. In February 2015, pilot whales were found stranded on Farewell Spit. On 10 February 2017 a pod of 416 pilot whales beached overnight at Farewell Spit. 75% of the whales were dead upon the arrival of a Project Jonah medical rescue team and attempts were undertaken to refloat the remaining live whales at the morning high tide. Efforts are underway, but 240 more arrived on Saturday.
How many whales died in the spit?
Eleven were found dead on the first day. The spit has claimed around 680 Whales since records began. In January 2014 several whales stranded and re-stranded. This included a pod of 50 pilot whales, many of whom died from stress or needed to be euthanised despite several attempts to refloat them.
Why was the lighthouse at the end of the spit lit?
The lighthouse at the end of the spit was first lit on 17 June 1870 in response to many ships having been wrecked upon the spit. The original timber tower did not stand up well to the frequent blasting by the sand and salt-laden winds experienced at the end of the spit.
What is the spit made of?
The spit runs from west to east, and is made from fine golden sand, swept up from the Southern Alps by the Westland Current in the Tasman Sea. The northern side of the dunes are steeper and unstable being constantly exposed to the prevailing winds which average over 25 km/h.
Who was the first European to see the spit?
Abel Tasman in 1642 was the first European to see the spit, calling it Sand Duining Hoeck. Captain James Cook was the next European visitor in 1770, showing Farewell Spit as a broad peninsula on his maps. He named close-by Cape Farewell, and the name stuck, with early European settlers originally calling the sandbanks 'Cape Farewell Spit' ...
When was the first tour of the spit?
We are part of a long history of tours along the spit, with the first ones starting in 1946 as part of the weekly mail delivery contract to the lighthouse families. Powerful old 4WD trucks were used in those days, with passengers sitting out on the open deck, exposed to strong winds, rain and sun.
Is the spit sacred?
The spit is a key part of the physical environment at the western end of Golden Bay and we strive to help preserve its prime natural setting while sharing it with others. To us, the spit is sacred and we know it deserves the full protection it gets.