If you really want to get off the beaten track and have an adventure to remember, take a few days out to explore Golden Bay and the Farewell Spit. It's as far West as you can go from Nelson and it's a unique, remote part of New Zealand which not many people get to. So, why not be one of those who did?

The Farewell Spit tours travel the length of the spit and the tour started as a mail delivery to the lighthouse keepers and their families.

I opted for the six and a half hour Eco Tour, which not only explores the spit, it also stops in Puponga and the most Northern point on the South Island, Cape Farewell. It was really amazing as we could see seals and their pups basking on the rocks below.

The next stop is Fossil Point at the beginning of the spit, which is a popular hang out for New Zealand fur seals. There are heaps of old fossils poking out among the rocks and loads of sealife in the rock pools nearby.

There is a lighthouse reserve 30km along the beach, where we had time to stop for lunch, before climbing the steps up to the lighthouse, checking out the pouwhenua placed by the local iwi to show their connection to the spit, where we learnt some Maori legends about the area. We also enjoyed a cup of tea with a tasty muffin in the lighthouse keeper's cottage, with the chance to learn a bit more local history.

"feel the breeze on your face and the sand between your toes"

As we made our return from the lighthouse, we climbed a sand dune for panoramic views of the ocean beach. It was also an awesome spot to see the line of dunes along the centre of the spit and the inter-tidal plain where migrant waders from the arctic circle feed during the spring and autumn.

There's so much to see here, from wildlife to amazing history and Farewell Spit Tours also run a six and a half hour Gannet Colony Tour from September to April, where you can check out approximately 5,000 birds.

Or there is a shorter four and a half hour lighthouse tour and a three to four hour wader tour, which runs between September and April when the migrant waders are passing through.

Just getting out on the spit is a great way to smell the sea air, feel the breeze on your face and the sand between your toes. And the best thing is, you get to go where most tourists don't!

• Farewell Spit Eco Tours has been operating on Farwell Spit for more than 60 years and has a permit from the Department of Conservation to enter the reserve.
• They hold the only permit to visit the Gannet colony beyond the lighthouse and the wader feeding grounds on the inter-tidal plain.
• Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance. The spit is around 35km long and public access is restricted to the first 4km.
• Farewell Spit is more strictly protected than a national park and vehicle access is only granted to supervised tours.
• ''Onetahua'' is the Maori name for Farewell Spit which means ''heaped up sand''.
• Departure times are dictated by the time of the tide and are listed at www.farewellspit.com
• Email enquiries can be made to enquiries@farewellspit.co.nz and will be answered within 24 hours.
• All tours depart from Collingwood in Golden Bay . For more information call 03 524 8257 or Freephone 0800 808 257

Rachel stayed at Tasman Bay Backpackers at 10 Weka Street , Nelson. It's a real home from home with a lovely cosy atmosphere. The best thing is, you get free breakfast with toast, cereals and tea and coffee, and every night they serve a yummy hot chocolate pudding with ice cream which is simply divine!

For more information call 0800 222 572 or visit www.tasmanbaybackers.co.nz

Written by Rachel Pinder