Farewell Spit Eco Tours
Maps
Details
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Organisation |
Farewell Spit Eco ToursCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Group Tours
Bird Watching
Reviews
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2.5/5
1) you are on a 20 or 30 passenger 4WD vehicle for at least 4 hours of the 6.5 hour duration so be aware.
Things to consider before booking this tour -
2) 90% of the wildlife action is bird life so if you do not live and breathe birds this tour may not be of much interest to you.
3) the only area the tour covers that you cannot access yourself in your own car, or rental car, is access to the eastern 25km of the sand dunes and if you have seen one sand dune you have seen them all. Admittedly the tour does get you to the lighthouse where coffee and muffins are served but this is the only ‘benefit’.
4) because it is more akin to an outing for those not fit enough to kayak or walk the Abel Tasman be aware your travelling companions may all be of pensioner age.
5) the commentary on the history of the area is informative but it is evident it’s delivered by someone who loves birds more than most and who has an association with the tour company.
6) there are a number of superb cafes and restaurants on the drive from Nelson to Collingwood where $195 could also be enjoyed.
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5.0/5
An amazing area of unspoiled natural beauty.
An experience enhanced by the knowledge of our bus driver and guide Anton
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5.0/5
Had a great day yesterday on our trip with Paddy, lots of fun and very informative.
He knows his birds !
I can recommend this trip to anyone, thank you so much, cheers Graeme Staite.
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5.0/5
A great experience to go so far out to sea on a sand spit.
We saw quite a few different species of birds including the beautiful Gannet colony at a distance, as well as a seal basking on the beach. Our driver Paddy was very interesting and knowledgeable about the wildlife, geology, geography and history. He kept us interested with anecdotes about the spit. A cuppa and fresh muffin for afternoon tea in one of the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages was a lovely break, and a peak into their lives. On the way back we got to see the remains of a shipwreck which periodically gets uncovered by the shifting dunes. Sunset provided more spectacular photo opportunities. Well worth it!
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4.5/5
Bus trips are not our thing but this was the only way to get up to the end of Farewell Spit.
And once you get off road it is great. The driver was very friendly and informative (although quite hard to hear at times). This is a strange and wonderful place and well worth a visit, with lots of interesting information about the lighthouse and its keepers. Coffee and buns were much appreciated, and there were good opportunities along the way to stop for photos, climb a sand dune, watch a seal etc.
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5.0/5
Awesome experience and worth every penny.
Very informative driver kept us entertained all day.
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3.0/5
Four wheel drive bus from town to end of 35km Spit.
Informative talk on Spit, birds, lighthouse, local history.
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5.0/5
Great tour all the way up to the Farewell Split lighthouse with numerous stops and time to walk around, very enthusiastic and informed guide/driver named Murray.
Full day (10 am- 5pm) tour at $145 was fantastic and highly interesting with all the information the guide provided. Wonderful and recommendable day.
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3.5/5
Very good experience.
It is a way to see this part of the South Island, but it was expensive and even if the trip was good, it wasn't so extraordinary (which can explain the price).
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5.0/5
Great value for money.
A wild and impressive region which can only be visited on a guided tour. The driver was very knowledgable and the 4wd bus comfortable. This was a trip highlight.
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2.5/5
1) you are on a 20 or 30 passenger 4WD vehicle for at least 4 hours of the 6.5 hour duration so be aware.
Things to consider before booking this tour -
2) 90% of the wildlife action is bird life so if you do not live and breathe birds this tour may not be of much interest to you.
3) the only area the tour covers that you cannot access yourself in your own car, or rental car, is access to the eastern 25km of the sand dunes and if you have seen one sand dune you have seen them all. Admittedly the tour does get you to the lighthouse where coffee and muffins are served but this is the only ‘benefit’.
4) because it is more akin to an outing for those not fit enough to kayak or walk the Abel Tasman be aware your travelling companions may all be of pensioner age.
5) the commentary on the history of the area is informative but it is evident it’s delivered by someone who loves birds more than most and who has an association with the tour company.
6) there are a number of superb cafes and restaurants on the drive from Nelson to Collingwood where $195 could also be enjoyed.
-
5.0/5
An amazing area of unspoiled natural beauty.
An experience enhanced by the knowledge of our bus driver and guide Anton
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5.0/5
Had a great day yesterday on our trip with Paddy, lots of fun and very informative.
He knows his birds !
I can recommend this trip to anyone, thank you so much, cheers Graeme Staite.
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5.0/5
A great experience to go so far out to sea on a sand spit.
We saw quite a few different species of birds including the beautiful Gannet colony at a distance, as well as a seal basking on the beach. Our driver Paddy was very interesting and knowledgeable about the wildlife, geology, geography and history. He kept us interested with anecdotes about the spit. A cuppa and fresh muffin for afternoon tea in one of the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages was a lovely break, and a peak into their lives. On the way back we got to see the remains of a shipwreck which periodically gets uncovered by the shifting dunes. Sunset provided more spectacular photo opportunities. Well worth it!
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4.5/5
Bus trips are not our thing but this was the only way to get up to the end of Farewell Spit.
And once you get off road it is great. The driver was very friendly and informative (although quite hard to hear at times). This is a strange and wonderful place and well worth a visit, with lots of interesting information about the lighthouse and its keepers. Coffee and buns were much appreciated, and there were good opportunities along the way to stop for photos, climb a sand dune, watch a seal etc.
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5.0/5
Awesome experience and worth every penny.
Very informative driver kept us entertained all day.
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3.5/5
Very good experience.
It is a way to see this part of the South Island, but it was expensive and even if the trip was good, it wasn't so extraordinary (which can explain the price).
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5.0/5
Great tour all the way up to the Farewell Split lighthouse with numerous stops and time to walk around, very enthusiastic and informed guide/driver named Murray.
Full day (10 am- 5pm) tour at $145 was fantastic and highly interesting with all the information the guide provided. Wonderful and recommendable day.
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5.0/5
Great value for money.
A wild and impressive region which can only be visited on a guided tour. The driver was very knowledgable and the 4wd bus comfortable. This was a trip highlight.
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5.0/5
Fantastic trip along Farewell Spit.
Driver/guide was excellent and knowledgable. A long day due to late start for correct conditions, but experienced fantastic sunset.
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4.5/5
Excellent driver with cheerful personality.
Good timekeeping. Good explanations of what to expect and good commentary.
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