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All 76 Hawke's Bay Attractions »

Gannet Beach Adventures

495 Clifton Road | Clifton, New Zealand
+64 (0) 6 875 0898
Ranked #4 of 25 tours in Hawke's Bay
5.0 of 5 stars 23 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: “Where else in the world can you jump on the back of a trailer and get towed along the beach by a 1949 Minneapolis-Moline tractor to a bird colony?”...... more » Owner description: “Where else in the world can you jump on the back of a trailer and get towed along the beach by a 1949 Minneapolis-Moline tractor to a bird colony?” Established in 1952, Gannet Beach Adventures has a long history of providing tours on a spectacular stretch of the Hawke’s Bay coastline, from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers. This unique, fun eco-experience tour involves travel with local experienced guides by vintage tractors and trailers on a comfortable four-hour adventure to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. Departing on the days’ low tide, visitors travel by tractor and trailer along the majestically rugged coastline. Photographic opportunities abound as stops are made throughout the journey giving visitors an insight into how nature’s forces have shaped this amazing area. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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23 reviews from our community

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Sydney, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 16, 2012

I've done this trip twice now, the second time with my sons aged 8 and 6. We had a great time and the boys loved going along the beach and up and down the bumps of the rocks. They also loved it when our driver "inadvertently" caused another to get bogged. The drivers were friendly and fun and I'd thoroughly... More

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Auckland
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 30, 2012

What a great time we had on this trip. The co-owner drove the tractor which we rode on and he was so professional and humerous. Although we are in our 60's we have not done this trip before and I would recommend it to all - expect very young children and babies. The travel out to the Gannets takes 70... More

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London
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 11, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Very enjoyable tour. Tour times vary daily dependent upon the tide. Ours started at 6.30 am! Fun mode of transport being towed along the beach by an antique but immensely strong tractor. Too far to walk to the colony and return without being cut off by the tide. Quite a steep climb up to the colony at Cape Kidnappers but... More

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Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 7, 2012

On this trip, you are pulled along a scenic beach by tractor. Many stops along the way to explain the geology of the area and interesting sights. When you get to the Gannet colony, you climb off your ride and hike up the cliff to the Gannet colony at the top. Birders will love it. If you like a good... More

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Leiden, The Netherlands
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 21, 2012

This tour to the huge Gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers is an absolute "must do" experience. The tour over the beach to the end of the rocks takes about 4 to 5 hours. The guides are fantastic and give information about the rockformations and ofcourse the Gannets. There are several options to visit the colonies, but this one is unique.... More

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Norwich, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 8, 2012

A great tractor journey along the beach to the gannet colony, with the guide/driver giving everyone an insight into the geology of the cliffs - fascinating. At the end of the ride we took a 25 minute fairly steep walk to the colony, which was well worth the effort, as you could get up very close to the birds. A... More

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Cape Town Central, South Africa
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 6, 2012

Very interesting part of the world as regards the geology etc and the driver/tour guide really amusing - we had a lot of fun. A bit of a walk up to the main gannet colony so we did that first and then came back down to enjoy our 'brunch'. The day we went, the weather was beautiful so in that... More

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1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 4, 2012

Fantastic guides with lots of knowledge of the area and gannets. Extremely good value for money. More

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norfolk uk
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2012

Seeing the gannets were a bonus as the guides / tractor drivers really made the tour with the history on the cliffs and the sence of humour. A must do, but bring walking boots as steep walk up to see gannets. A MUST. Do trip Thanks again. :-) More

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Auckland, New Zealand
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 12, 2012

This is a truly unique experience. Lots of fun for all ages (kids can be put in the middle so they don't fall out!). The ride both there and back was informative and entertaining. As a geologist, I found the information accurate and thought it was presented in a public-friendly manner (i.e. how I might explain things to non-geologists). The... More

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