THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive across private farmland to the Cape Kidnappers gannet plateau for close-up viewing without a long walk. This three-hour guided overland tour delivers cliff-top perspectives, tea and coffee, and dramatic seabird behavior while minimizing disturbance to nesting birds.
Drive across private farmland to the Cape Kidnappers gannet plateau for close-up viewing without a long walk. This three-hour guided overland tour delivers cliff-top perspectives, tea and coffee, and dramatic seabird behavior while minimizing disturbance to nesting birds.
The minivan climbs a farm track, dust lifting as the Pacific appears along the cliff line. Within minutes the land falls away and the gannet plateau opens — white bodies clustered on wind-scoured grass, wings slicing air before the plunge. Guides position the vehicle for views that put you within meters of the colony without you ever having to step onto fragile nesting ground.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gannet Safaris Overland · Napier, Hawke's Bay
The minivan climbs a farm track, dust lifting as the Pacific appears along the cliff line. Within minutes the land falls away and the gannet plateau opens — white bodies clustered on wind-scoured grass, wings slicing air before the plunge. Guides position the vehicle for views that put you within meters of the colony without you ever having to step onto fragile nesting ground.
Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui) sits at the eastern edge of Hawke’s Bay on uplifted marine terraces and steep sandstone cliffs carved by sea and storm. The headland is part working sheep and beef station, part wildlife sanctuary; generations of local farming shaped the access that now lets guided vehicles drive onto the plateau. The Australasian gannet colony here is one of New Zealand’s most watched seabird gatherings — dramatic to watch as adults dive like knives for fish.
Practical details matter: this is a three-hour, fully guided overland tour that drives across private Cape Kidnappers Station to lookout points and the plateau itself, with tea and coffee provided. There’s minimal walking, so it’s accessible to most travelers, but coastal wind, loose gravel, and cliff edges demand attention. Bring binoculars, a windproof layer, sun protection and sturdy shoes. Early morning or late afternoon light sharpens the birds and the coastline; poor weather can cancel the tour. Follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing nests — the colony is protected and tours maintain strict viewing distances. The result is a close, low-impact encounter with one of Hawke’s Bay’s most elemental coastal spectacles.
easy.
3 hours.
No special fitness required; suitable for most travelers including families with small children
The tour lasts about three hours and requires minimal walking; the vehicle drives onto the plateau and stops at lookout points close to the colony.
The tour is suitable for most fitness levels and families; however, it isn’t open to cruise-ship passengers unless booked via the operator’s specific cruise program—check booking details before you buy.
Tours can be cancelled for poor weather or unsafe conditions; the operator typically offers a full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours in advance or due to weather.
Guides position vehicles to provide close views while maintaining safe distances; follow instructions to avoid disturbing nesting birds, especially during breeding season.
The headland is known in Māori as Te Kauwae-a-Māui and has long been used by local iwi; European farming established Cape Kidnappers Station in the 19th century, which still manages access to the plateau.
The colony is sensitive during breeding season—tours are routed and timed to limit disturbance, and visitors are asked to stay with guides and avoid stepping into nesting areas.
Gannet Safaris Overland operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The minivan climbs a farm track, dust lifting as the Pacific appears along the cliff line. Within minutes the land falls away and the gannet plateau opens — white bodies clustered on wind-scoured grass, wings slicing air before the plunge. Guides position the vehicle for views that put you within meters of the colony without you ever having to step onto fragile nesting ground.
The minivan climbs a farm track, dust lifting as the Pacific appears along the cliff line. Within minutes the land falls away and the gannet plateau opens — white bodies clustered on wind-scoured grass, wings slicing air before the plunge. Guides position the vehicle for views that put you within meters of the colony without you ever having to step onto fragile nesting ground.
Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui) sits at the eastern edge of Hawke’s Bay on uplifted marine terraces and steep sandstone cliffs carved by sea and storm. The headland is part working sheep and beef station, part wildlife sanctuary; generations of local farming shaped the access that now lets guided vehicles drive onto the plateau. The Australasian gannet colony here is one of New Zealand’s most watched seabird gatherings — dramatic to watch as adults dive like knives for fish.
Practical details matter: this is a three-hour, fully guided overland tour that drives across private Cape Kidnappers Station to lookout points and the plateau itself, with tea and coffee provided. There’s minimal walking, so it’s accessible to most travelers, but coastal wind, loose gravel, and cliff edges demand attention. Bring binoculars, a windproof layer, sun protection and sturdy shoes. Early morning or late afternoon light sharpens the birds and the coastline; poor weather can cancel the tour. Follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing nests — the colony is protected and tours maintain strict viewing distances. The result is a close, low-impact encounter with one of Hawke’s Bay’s most elemental coastal spectacles.