We are spending a few days in Nelson and would like to take one of the tours of Farewell Spit. I've read that the drive is not easy. Can we get to Collingwood in time for one of the tours? I think one leaves at 11. And get back to Nelson by dark? This will probably be March 8.

The Farewell Spit tour we took left Collingwood at 10:30 am and got back at 6 pm. There are shorter tours though.

The drive from Nelson to Collingwood is 135 km and takes just under two hours.

The drive isn't difficult, but you must cross Takaka Hill, which is a very winding road and is slow going. This part of the drive meakes me a little carsick as a passenger, but there's nothing tricky about it - it's a well maintained road, you'll just need to take it slowly as it's full of hairpin turns.

The sun sets around 8 pm in March, so you should make it back to Nelson just about the time it gets dark.

I'm glad to hear you're going to visit Farewell Spit - not many tourists seem to fit it into their trips.

Ha, I thought the thread might be about Australian politics.

Melnq8,
Thank you so much for the information. We are looking forward to seeing the wading birds and the beautiful scenery on Farewell Spit. Both tour groups have 4 hour tours, and I think either one would work out well.

I have read some of your trip reports in the past. How do I look them up?
Thanks again.

Gayle -

The search function here on Fodor's is an ongoing frustration. They're supposed to be working on it.

Here are the links to my NZ trip reports:

2004

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456211

2005

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34616625

2007

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35062577

2008

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35118771

Here is a link to our blog post on our visit to this part of NZ with a few photos:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...5780/tpod.html

We did the drive in winter and it really wasn't that difficult