Golden Bay

Golden Bay

I made two visits to this laid-back area north of the Abel Tasman. On the second trip, some friends and I explored the bay’s northern edge — a 30-kilometer expanse of sand called Farewell Spit. We braved a sudden sandstorm on the way across, then hiked into 80-kph winds on the way back inland. I didn’t take many pictures of it because I was afraid to get sand in my camera, but I’ll never forget the experience.

A decaying pier out near where we camped
 
One of Golden Bay’s wide beaches
The sandstorm on Farewell Spit. If you look closely there are two wayward hikers in the distance.