Farewell Spit

 

Farewell Spit can be found at the northern end of Golden Bay – That's right at the top of the South Island.

 

It is a narrow sand spit. It is the longest in New Zealand being over 26 k's long on land and another 6k under water.

 

The tide goes out a long way here which is great for wading birds but not so good for whales which quite often strand here.

 

Cape Farewell was named by Captain Cook since it was the last bit of New Zealand he saw on his first voyage before scooting over to Australia.

 

The lighthouse at the end of the spit is now automated with the last lighthouse keeper leaving in 1984.

 

The spit is a sea bird and wild life reserve.