Coming from Picton or Nelson you'll drive through Motueka then over Takaka Hill (New Zealand's longest hill), through Takaka in Golden Bay, where you might like to stop for a meal, a coffee, or to visit some galleries or artisans.
Head out towards Collingwood, if you have time stop at Pu Pu Springs, and view some of the clearest waters in the Southern Hemisphere.
You'll be driving right past the Mussel Inn, renown for its craft beer and bowls of mussels.
Continue on and follow the road to Farewell Spit.
Turn left just after Pakawau (the Pakawau Community Hall is on the corner). Turn right onto Kaihoka Lakes Road which travels around the inlet to get to the farm.
The inlet is a marine reserve and a wildlife sanctuary. It is one of New Zealand's largest, least modified estuaries, with much of it boarded by native trees and bush.
If you're a bird watcher you'll love the diversity of bird-life found around the inlet, as it is the second most important tidal area in the Nelson/Marlborough region. So keep your eyes open for wading birds while you're here.
If you travel past the farm you come to Kaihoka Lakes, a scenic reserve with two picturesque lakes surrounded by native bush. You are definitely spoilt for choice for beautiful bodies of water here.
In the Spring you can hear the frogs calling and if you're lucky you may see bittern and fernbird.
Watch for the native New Zealand wood pigeon, harrier hawks, heron and sea birds.
Visit the beautiful, and sometimes wild, Wharariki Beach while here. This is a beautiful West Coast Beach that has lovely natural forms, arches, and caves. It's only 30 minutes away or approximately 4 kilometres from Puponga.
At the right time of year the rock pools at Wharariki are used as nursery pools by the New Zealand fur seal, so have lots of seal pups enjoying the safety of the pools while Mum's out fishing. Take some time and enjoy watching their antics.
There is also a local horse trekking business if you'd like to ride along the beach - what a great way to see it.
On the way to Wharariki, stop and take a look at Cape Farewell - the most northerly point on the South Island.
Farewell Spit is the Southern Hemisphere's longest sand spit, approximately 30km long. It is also a nature reserve with over 90 species of birds recorded in the area.
Migratory birds arrive here in Spring and Summer and Australasian gannets have also settled here.
Ship wrecks were frequent on the Spit in the nineteenth century so the lighthouse was erected in 1870 to prevent them. It was originally made of hardwood but replaced by a steel tower in 1897.
Tours are run from Collingwood daily if you'd like to explore the Spit and visit the historic lighthouse as public access is not available along the length of the Spit and vehicle access is only allowed by concession holders.
Visit Cape Farewell while you're here for great scenery - you'll often see seals at the base of the arch too.
There are also walks to enjoy around the Spit area, across the Puponga Farm Park, so why not stay with us for a few more days and really enjoy what is here?
Takaka
Spend some time in the region and visit Takaka too. You might like to stop on the way through. There's a delicious array of cafes and restaurants to choose from if hungry.
If you're after a special gift or souvenir you'll find something to suit everyone at one of the galleries - from photography to jewellery, this region has many artistans.
There's also the Takaka Museum if you'd like to learn about some of the local history.
And you can stock up at the supermarket too.
Collingwood
Collingwood is our nearest town being just 20 minutes away.
Although small it still offers some cafes and a pub. A diary if you've forgotten anything and an interesting museum.
You can take an eco-tour to the bird sanctuary and lighthouse out on Farewell Spit from here or hire a mountain bike to explore the very beautiful Aorere Valley.
If you'd rather, you can hire a a kayak and paddle around Ruataniwha Inlet - keep your eyes open for New Zealand fur seals along the way.
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