Hawke's bay is more than just word class wines. The temperature climate is ideal for these graceful birds. So ideal that Cape Kidnappers, on the south-eastern extremity, has become home to the largest and most accessible Gannet colony in the world. The number keeps fluctuating but it's usually around 13,000 gannets. These graceful birds have an wing span of six feet which allows them to drift on the wind currents.
Getting there is half the fun and is accomplished in one of three ways. Either a beach walk of 2 hours, a tractor and trailer ride (kids will enjoy this) or 4 x 4 covered vehicle. If you do choose the beach walk, make sure it's done at low tide as the water goes right up to the rocks on high tide! Just ask the Hastings or Napier information centre or ring the Department of Conservation to find out when low tide is. A moderate level of fitness is required as the trail can be quite steep in places.
Not only will you get an amazing view of these elegant birds, you'll revel in the awesome scenery of rugged cliffs, the ocean beneath them and the noise of the birds. Paying particular attention to the different formations in the rock face often heralds great rewards with over 4 million years of history being revealed.
There is a visitor centre at Cape Kidnappers where you can pick up an excellent map. The season lasts from October to March and you'll find ample cafés, restaurants and wineries to either fuel up before you go or to put your feet up after you get back.
Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay
