Puponga New Zealand

Puponga Farm Park

General Information History Attractions and Activities

General Information

The Park is a conservation area protecting archaeological sites, rare native birds and natural features that surround the Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell beaches.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) administers the Farm and they lease it out for day-to-day management.

Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand
Archway Islands & Wharariki Beach.

From Nelson it is a three-hour drive on SH60 northwest to the Park and beginning of Farewell Spit.

History

Māori rubbish heaps, dating back around 700 years have been found in the area along with a small-fortified pa at Puponga Point. The area was very important to Māori for collecting shellfish, sea fishing, catching birds and moa hunting.
A lighthouse was built here in 1870 due to ten shipwrecks and numerous strandings. The present structure was built in 1897.

Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand
Magnificent view from one of the walkways.

Attractions and Activities

Department of Conservation (DOC) allows walking within the park and there are a variety of walks available at the base of the spit, taking you through some amazing scenery. A short 15-minute beach walk will take you to a nearby pa site or longer walks to fossil outcrops and spectacular cliffs. Walk around Farewell Spit and see the huge array of shore birds. Mountain biking is allowed on some tracks. There are restricted areas within the park where walking is not allowed.
Puponga Farm is a working farm, where visitors are allowed to walk around freely. Please watch out for farm animals especially the bull paddock. Touching the animals is not permitted under any circumstances along with any farm machinery and equipment.
There is a café present, which also doubles as the local information centre.
For any help see the friendly staff.

Archway Islands The magnificent group of rocks forming the Archway Islands is very picturesque and many artists have painted their own impression of this feature. They are found in the Puponga Farm Park on Wharariki Beach. Seals can be seen here as they use the Island for breeding.

Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand
View from Pillar Point.

Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand
Archway Islands & Wharariki Beach.

Pillar Point Pillar Point stands at 161 metres above sea level. With 360-degrees of breathtaking panoramic views, including Farewell Spit to the East, cliffs, ocean and farmland to the West and Kahurangi National Park to the South; it is a must visit for landscape photographers. On a clear day the snow-topped peak of Mt Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand can be seen.

Wharariki Beach This 6km long rugged West Coast beach features wild and beautiful coastal landscape, creating stunning scenery. Wind and waves have sculptured some amazing sand dune formations and formed the very distinguishable Archway Islands. Nature is also responsible for carving out holes in the sandstone, creating many caves, which provide a hideaway for the breeding fur seals. The Beach provides areas for safe swimming and there is plenty of space to enjoy beach games. Horse riding is permitted and there are company’s available that provide this service.

Puponga Farm Park General Information History Attractions and Activities General Information The Park is a conservation area protecting archaeological sites, rare native birds and natural features that surround the Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell beaches. The Department of Conservation (DOC) administers the Farm and they lease it out for day-to-day management.
Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand Archway Islands & Wharariki Beach.	From Nelson it is a three-hour drive on SH60 northwest to the Park and beginning of Farewell Spit. History Māori rubbish heaps, dating back around 700 years have been found in the area along with a small-fortified pa at Puponga Point. The area was very important to Māori for collecting shellfish, sea fishing, catching birds and moa hunting. A lighthouse was built here in 1870 due to ten shipwrecks and numerous strandings. The present structure was built in 1897.	Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand Magnificent view from one of the walkways.
Attractions and Activities Department of Conservation (DOC) allows walking within the park and there are a variety of walks available at the base of the spit, taking you through some amazing scenery. A short 15-minute beach walk will take you to a nearby pa site or longer walks to fossil outcrops and spectacular cliffs. Walk around Farewell Spit and see the huge array of shore birds. Mountain biking is allowed on some tracks. There are restricted areas within the park where walking is not allowed. Puponga Farm is a working farm, where visitors are allowed to walk around freely. Please watch out for farm animals especially the bull paddock. Touching the animals is not permitted under any circumstances along with any farm machinery and equipment. There is a café present, which also doubles as the local information centre. For any help see the friendly staff. Archway Islands The magnificent group of rocks forming the Archway Islands is very picturesque and many artists have painted their own impression of this feature. They are found in the Puponga Farm Park on Wharariki Beach. Seals can be seen here as they use the Island for breeding.		Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand View from Pillar Point.
Puponga Farm Park, Tasman, New Zealand Archway Islands & Wharariki Beach.	Pillar Point Pillar Point stands at 161 metres above sea level. With 360-degrees of breathtaking panoramic views, including Farewell Spit to the East, cliffs, ocean and farmland to the West and Kahurangi National Park to the South; it is a must visit for landscape photographers. On a clear day the snow-topped peak of Mt Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand can be seen. Wharariki Beach This 6km long rugged West Coast beach features wild and beautiful coastal landscape, creating stunning scenery. Wind and waves have sculptured some amazing sand dune formations and formed the very distinguishable Archway Islands. Nature is also responsible for carving out holes in the sandstone, creating many caves, which provide a hideaway for the breeding fur seals. The Beach provides areas for safe swimming and there is plenty of space to enjoy beach games. Horse riding is permitted and there are company’s available that provide this service.