Farewell Spit
Onetahua
New Zealand's longest sand spit, stretching about 30 km, with a Ramsar wetland and a bird sanctuary. Only guided tours can take you to the far end.
Farewell Spit extends about 30 km east from the northernmost tip of the South Island. It is New Zealand's longest sand spit and an internationally important wetland. Every summer, tens of thousands of migratory birds, including bar-tailed godwits, stop here. Independent visitors can walk only the first 4 km. To see the lighthouse and the large sand dunes at the far end, you need to join a licensed 4WD tour from Collingwood, which takes about 6 hours and depends on the tides. The visitor centre café near the start offers views over the spit.
Opening hours
Open all day (deep sections by guided group only)
Nearby sights
- Wharariki Beach
- Wainui Falls
- Te Waikoropupū Springs
- Awaroa Beach
- Tonga Island Marine Reserve
- Tākaka Hill (Harwoods Hole & Ngārua Caves)
- Bark Bay
- Abel Tasman Coast Track