With two excursions lined up for today, it was to be an early start. We were staying in the town of Napier and had to drive for 20 minutes out to Clifton to begin our gannet tour. We did this same tour about a month ago and it definitely got both thumbs up and it didn't disappoint the second time either! It's a tour out to the Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - one of the only mainland colonies in New Zealand. What makes the tour so interesting and special is that you travel on a tractor drawn trailer. The ride is quite bumpy in places, helped along by the driver guide who will go out of his way to find a few rocks to drive over, all in good fun!! As you bump along the beach you pass by some really interesting geological features such as distinctive fault lines and various layers in the sheer cliff faces. The guide will stop often to explain the landscape and birds, or to ask you to jump off the trailer because the tractor is bogged and he needs to lighten the load!
Once we arrive at the furtherest point possible, everyone jumps off the trailer to either enjoy the beach and have a picnic or climb the steep trail to the gannets. The gannets live in two colonies at Cape Kidnappers - The Saddle and Cape Kidnappers colonies. After spending some time watching these fascinating creatures and their fierce interactions with each other, we headed back down the track (easier going down than up) to meet up with our driver and guide for the bumpy journey back to Clifton.
What to take: Hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes (ones that can take getting a little damp), snacks, bottles of water, sweater, and of course a camera).
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| Title: | Gannets At Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay Round two on the Gannet Beach Adventures tour to Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. |
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| Author: | Michelle Coats | ||
| Date: | 01.03.07 - nzk3s16200 Gannets At Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay |
The scientific name for the picture Gannets At Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay is:
Morus serrator
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