46 Rankers Reviews
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
Farewell Spit Eco ToursCommercial organisation |
|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Payment Requirement |
|
Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. |
Beautiful natural scenery
Knowledgeable guides
Fun experience
Informative commentary
Great for bird lovers
Long vehicle duration
Limited wildlife variety
6 1/2 hour bird + seal watching.
Erika Muller
Friendly, competent and knowledgeable.
Nicole
Great.
Domroes
Excellent driver with cheerful personality.
inda Hall
Awesome experience and worth every penny.
FlyingKiwiGirl
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.
Reviewed 9 months ago
Customer
An amazing area of unspoiled natural beauty.
An experience enhanced by the knowledge of our bus driver and guide Anton
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2022
Customer
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!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2019
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2017
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2013
Customer
Good speakers!!
Saw seals and other animals! Best tour ever!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2012
Customer
Very knowlegable tour guides - good days outing.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2013
Customer
Very enjoyable experience, but at $145 PP an expensive duopoly!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2013
Customer
Excellent commentary, comfortable seats, not too long, not too short.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2015
Customer
Four wheel drive bus from town to end of 35km Spit.
Informative talk on Spit, birds, lighthouse, local history.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2010
Customer
The best parts of the tour were in the public access area.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2009
Customer
Awesome experience and worth every penny.
Very informative driver kept us entertained all day.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in September 2014
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2014
Customer
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).
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014
Customer
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.
Reviewed 9 months ago
Customer
An amazing area of unspoiled natural beauty.
An experience enhanced by the knowledge of our bus driver and guide Anton
Reviewed over 3 years ago
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2022
Customer
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!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2019
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2017
Customer
Excellent commentary, comfortable seats, not too long, not too short.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2015
Customer
Awesome experience and worth every penny.
Very informative driver kept us entertained all day.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in September 2014
Customer
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).
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2014
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2014
Customer
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2013
Customer
