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Farewell Spit Eco Tours Golden Bay
Farewell Spit – or Tuhuroa in Māori – is a natural wonder. This narrow sand spit is located at the northernmost tip of New Zealand's south island and is the longest sandspit in the country. With a reach of about 26km (not including an extra 6km of underwater landmass) running from east to west, the Spit is made up of unbelievably beautiful golden sand, which has been formed over the years from the erosion of Cretaceous quartz sandstone, garnet, ilmenite, magnetite and pyroxene from the cliffs at Cape Farewell.
The low tide – which can recede as far as 7kms – exposes vast mudflats, which create a natural feeding ground that attracts seabirds by the thousands; in fact, up to 20,000 godwits, 30,000 knots and many other migratory and native birds (as well as introduced species) come to visit the Spit during the summer time. An absolute dream for bird watchers! The Spit is now a nature reserve and bird sanctuary and public access is heavily restricted; however, during your Farewell Spit eco tour, you will be granted special access to view part of the gorgeous sanctuary for yourself.
Your tour begins with a stop at Puponga, then a cliff-top view of the basking seals and their pups at the most northerly part of the South Island, Cape Farewell. Your friendly and passionate tour guides will then escort you to Fossil Point – an old hauling point for NZ fur seals. Here you will see exposed fossils as well as an abundance of rock and sea life within the rock pools. Enjoy a short drive over to the iconic and historically significant lighthouse, where you will spend around 45 minutes climbing the lighthouse and exploring the history of the Maori legends surrounding the area. Here, you will see the pouwhenua (traditional carved pillars) and enjoy refreshments in the lighthouse keepers cottage.
You will be awestruck at the panoramic views from a sandhill overlooking the Spit, the inter-tidal plain and the ocean beach; here you will see the migrant waders from the Arctic Circle, as they feed on their ocean feast.
When you later share your wonderful experience with family and friends, you will be helping to raise public awareness of the precious migratory bird ecosystem, so vital for their survival.
All prices shown in NZD$.
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