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What region is Farewell Spit in?
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.
Where is Farewell Spit NZ?
South Island
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.
When was Farewell Spit formed?
The spit began building at the end of the last ice age 14,000 years ago. It is the most recent of several sandspits to occupy the area, and at least once in the past a vast sandplain connected Golden Bay all the way to the Wanganui/Manawatu area.
Why is Farewell Spit called Farewell Spit?
Abel Tasman in 1642 was the first European to see the spit, calling it Sand Duining Hoeck. Its Māori name, Onetahuai, translates as ‘heaped up sand’ but eventually Farewell Spit took its name from Captain James Cook, who in 1770 named it Cape Farewell.
Can I drive on Farewell Spit?
Today’s mission is to see Farewell Spit, New Zealand’s longest sandspit which stretches about 35km out to sea! The problem is, you can only drive along it at low tide and low tide is around 6.30am… Farewell Spit is the most protected place in New Zealand, more so than the national parks, due to its ecology.
Can you drive up Farewell Spit?
Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park. Farewell Spit is around 35km long and public access is restricted to the first 4km. Vehicle access is only allowed for supervised tours by concession holders.
Will Farewell Spit change?
When the length of a spit finally remains constant there is a balance between the longshore current and the other forces. Farewell Spit is now 22.5km long and thought to be stable.
How was Farewell Spit created?
Farewell Spit is formed entirely from quartz sands, derived from the erosion of granites and other rocks on the west coast and transported northward by coastal drift. In early European times the sand dunes were partly covered in grass and forest, and sheep and cattle were grazed.
Are dogs allowed at Farewell Spit?
No dogs or other pets are allowed. Firearms are prohibited. Camping is not permitted on both the Spit reserve and the Farm Park. Take your rubbish away with you when you leave.
How long does it take to walk Farewell Spit?
3-4-hour
Spit Track Circuit via Farewell Spit (3-4-hour Loop) Walk to as far as public access allows on Farewell Spit on the Spit Track Circuit via Farewell Spit. Walk along the Inner Beach (see description above) for around 4km (2.5 miles) until you reach a marked track crossing the spit to Ocean Beach.