Farewell Spit

On my recent holiday to New Zealand we got to visit an extraordinary place that was new to me.

Farewell Spit is at the Northwest corner of the South Island.

It was formed 14,000 years ago at the confluence of two currents- the West Coast and D'Urville currents. It is basically a 35km long sand bank, 1km wide at the base.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice
 the uncanny resemeblance

As well as being an extraordinarily beautiful place, it's a bird sanctuary of international importance. Farewell Spit is home to many local birds, and many birds from Alaska fly across the Pacific to spend the southern summer here.

The green farmland at Puponga gives rise to the spit. 

Access to Farewell Spit is strictly controlled. People can walk onto the inner beach for a few kilometres, but to go to the outer beach or further along the spit, then you have to go with an organised tour. There are two companies providing tours. Farewell Spit Eco Tours and Farewell Spit Nature Experience.

We were lucky and had a gorgeous day

Teenage boys aren't always bowled over by new experiences

New Zealand Fur Seal at Fossil Point

We travelled out to Farewell Spit Lighthouse
(still 10km from the end!)

Later in the afternoon the wind kicked up and it all got a bit lunar.

The dunes move 30 metres a year
You can see how
Actually you can see the moving sand from across the bay!

There is an Australasian Gannet colony further out on the spit beyond the lighthouse, sadly our tour didn't go there. A great reason to go back!

Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from Alyce  at home with books