Farewell Spit

Farewell Spit is located at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand, running eastwards from Cape Farewell—the island's northernmost point. It is the longest sandspit in New Zealand, stretching for about 26 km above sea level and another 6 km underwater. The spit runs from west to east, and is made from fine golden sand—the spit is large enough to have its own sand dunes.

The northern side of the dunes is steeper and unstable being constantly exposed to prevailing winds which average over 25 kmph. The southern side, which faces Golden Bay, is more stable and largely covered with vegetation. The tide here can recede as much as 7 km, exposing some 80 sq km of mud flats—a rich feeding ground for the many thousands of sea birds in the area, but also a trap for the frequently stranded whales.

The spit is administered by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as a sea bird and wildlife reserve. Apart from a small area at the base of the spit, it is closed to public except through organised tours. There is a lighthouse at the end of the spit that can be visited by visitors.