Cape Kidnapers

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Boundary Stream Cape Kidnapers Manawatu Gorge Tangoio Falls Te Mata Trust Park If you visit Hawkes Bay, you have to see 'Cape Kidnappers'!!!	You can never get enough photos of this beautiful spot in Hawkes Bay!!! These birds are so marvelous they almost look artificial. They nest here in the thousands and it is amazing how close you can get to them, if you reach out you can almost touch them. They are noisy and they are very smelly. After about a half hour hike up a steep hill you are rewarded by a strong smell of ammonia, but believe me when I say it's worth the climb and the smell:-)) In the pictures you can see chicks and adult birds. There are about three or four colonies in the area and you get a good view of all of them. Not only do you see these magnificent birds but also the cliffs along the shore line are fascinating, most were raised out of the ground due to seismic activity and in several places you can clearly see the fault line!! Also, some of the rocks in the area got there from lake Taupo, which is a good two hours drive away. Lake Taupo was a volcano that erupted years ago and threw rocks and lava as far as Hawkes Bay.	There are a few good swimming areas and lots of shells to collect!!
Boundary Stream Cape Kidnapers Manawatu Gorge Tangoio Falls Te Mata Trust Park *Nothing beats going to Cape Kidnappers by Kayak!!* This is run by a really neat guide called Miles. He runs the 'HB Sea Kayak Adventures' and for NZ$40 he will take you for an experience of a life time!! The trip Takes about 1.5 hours there and the same back. As you can see the water was as calm as a swimming pool and the views spectacular!! The tour leaves from Clifton beach early in the morning. There is time to explore, view the gannets and swim before the return journey. You have to book in advance but you can go with only two people or in a big group.»	How to get there!! Ask anyone about Cape Kidnappers and they will direct you there!! There are several ways of visiting the cape: 1- Walk: I think it is about a two hour walk one way, you have to watch the tide times though, otherwise it is easy to get stranded. 2- Tours: There are several tours you can take, they are reasonably priced ranging from NZ$20-40. *The unimog* is a big Mercedes Benz 4 wheel drive truck that will take you along the beach to the Gannet colonies. *The Tractor &Trailor* is just as it's name suggests, a tractor tows you on a trailer along the beach. *Bus tours on private property* are the lazy persons transport where the bus will take you from the road to the gannets direct without going anywhere near the beach. *4 wheel drive motor cycles* which are fun and you get to drive yourself, these are slightly more expensive though, about NZ$90/person on a bike or NZ$120/2 people on a bike!! -------------------------------------- »Honestly, after taking the kayak tour, I will never take anything else again!! All the necessary gear is supplied, with even a dry bag for your camera, wallet or anything else!! I recommend this tour to anyone going to cape kidnappers. So call Miles now and ask about his other tours as well» Sea Kayak Adventures: Ph:(06)8750 341 or: 021 2962 855

[ Ascomycetes ] [ Basidiomycetes ] [ Books ] [ Classification ] [ General info. ] [ Slime Moulds ] [ The New Zealand Bush ]
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