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Price Guide:     (Average price per person: $10 - $29)

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Gannet Beach Adventures is a tractor and trailer tour along the beach to the world's largest most accessible mainland Gannet Colony in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

This is a unique, fun eco-experience tour, suitable for all ages, with personalised service and guides who point out the natural and geological wonders of the area. Sit on a cushioned trailer, pulled by a unique vintage tractor, and enjoy the fresh open air travelling along the beach at the base of the towering cliffs.

Approximately one and a half hours at Cape Kidnappers leaves ample time for a swim, picnic or a scenic 25 minute walk to view the Saddle, Plateau colonies and extensive view of Hawke's Bay. On the return journey, a brief stop is made at the Black Reef Colony. This is the largest of the four gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers.

With over 50 year's experience, Gannet Beach Adventures provides a 4-hour mild, safe and comfortable adventure. Travel along the majestically rugged coastline of Cape Kidnappers to the worlds largest most accessible Gannet nesting site.

The gannets were first noted at Cape Kidnappers in small numbers in about 1850 by Henry Hill, a New Zealand naturalist. Cape Kidnappers now accommodates around 17,000 birds spread over four main nesting colonies: The Plateau, Saddle, and Black Reef, three of which are visited during the tour. Gannets are an impressive sight with their defined marking and colours and their superb elegance in flight. Diving for fish is a sight to see.

Maori Legend tells us that Cape Kidnappers is the fish hook of Maui -Te Mato a Maui – with which Maui, a mythical sea god pulled the North Island from the sea. In 1769 it was named Cape Kidnappers by Captain James Cook, the famous English explorer, when the local Maori attempted to kidnap his ship's interpreters son, a young Tahitian boy.

Tour season is from October to early May each year.

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