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New Zealand: Day 84: South Island Motorbike Trip: Day 11: Marahau - Farewell Spit - Picton - Wellington - Lower Hutt

On my last day on South Island I decided to discover the Northwest area of the island, around Takaka Hill, Golden Bay and Farewell Spit.

My first stop was Hawkes Lookout with a nice view over Riwaka River

 

I continued to Te Waikoropupū Springs, allegedly the Australasia's largest springs and the world's clearest water

 

Northern part of Farewell Spit, is the longest sandspit in New Zealand, stretching for about 26 km above sea level and another 6 km underwater.

  

Southern part of the spit forms the northern side of Golden Bay

Golden Bay is a place, where Abel Tasman anchored in 1642

4th stop, Riwaka Resurgence

Riwaka River flows underground through limestone caves, returning to the open air at The Riwaka Resurgence. The water is very cold here even in summer and I felt that on my skin.

 

Jump into the crystal clear Riwaka River at a place called Crystal pool

The time has come to move to Picton, where I boarded the ferry to Wellington in the evening. On the way I also found enough time to take a couple of pictures.

 

Mahau Sound from Cullen Point and Grove Arm

Drying the tent above Governors Bay

Loading the round wood in Shakespeare Bay

The first European recorded to have entered Picton Harbour was Captain William Stein, who explored Queen Charlotte Sound in 1832

Sunset over Waikawa Bay

 

Karaka point

Waiting for the ferry in Picton. Ticket was just below NZ$ 100 with all the possible discounts.

Back in Wellington

Last ride on the beautiful South Island