Cape Farewell

• Puponga
• Walks & Hikes

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The dramatically rugged landscapes of Cape Farewell have been carved out by the wild western weather, forming an archway in the quartz sandstone cliff that drops vertically into the raging seas below.

As the northernmost point of the South Island, the cape has been subjected to the elements, its rocky headlands shaped almost entirely by the ocean.

Cape Farewell is accessible via a short stroll from the nearby Cape Farewell carpark, on a guided tour with Farewell Spit Tours, or when indulging in a scenic coastal adventure along the Puponga Hilltop Track. The Puponga Hilltop Track begins at Triangle Flat carpark, climbing steadily to the historic Pillar Point lighthouse. From here, you’ll traverse vast open farmland and undulating pastures toward Cape Farewell, with the option to continue on to Wharariki Beach if you wish.

It can be extremely windy when walking along the hilltops, so it’s recommended you stay a safe distance from the edge of the cliff.

How to get there: There is a carpark just a few minutes walk from Cape Farewell along Wharariki Road in Puponga.

Photo credit: Farewell Spit Tours.