Te Kauwae-a-Māui/Cape Kidnappers is a tidal beach walk that ends in the opportunity to view a gannet colony up close. This hike involves good timing for the tides and the right seasons to view the gannets. Whilst the majority of the hike is along the beach and therefore flat, it’s still rather challenging and not to be taken on lightly. We really enjoyed this one but were left exhausted by the end. So be prepared for a hard slog and make sure to pack some water shoes for this one!
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Details
Starting Point: Clifton Motor Camp Carpark
Distance: 20km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
When: February. The track has seasonal restrictions to limit disturbances to the gannet colonies. Be sure to check the DOC website for closures.
Local iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu
Additional Information: Be extremely careful when doing this trail. The cliffs are very prone to landslides. So while you are walking along the beach at the base of the cliffs, DO NOT STOP. There are designated rest areas for you to stop at that are safe. Make sure you use these for snack breaks. The walk can also only be done at low tide, so make sure to check tide times before you leave.
Trail Map
Getting to the Starting Point of Te Kauwae-a-Māui/Cape Kidnappers
The trail starts at the end of the Clifton beach motor camp. Unfortunately, unless you are staying here, there is no parking at the camp. You’ll have to park further down the road at the beach and walk from there to the start of the trail. This only adds a few hundred meters to the start and end of the walk, though.
There are plenty of warning signs for this hike highlighting the risks associated with walking a tidal beach that is also subjected to rockfall and landslides. Make sure you are aware of these risks and check the tidal times and ocean swells the day before and day of the hike.
The Trail
As far as day hikes go, this is a pretty easy one to follow the trail. You just walk along the beach and keep going until you hit the first colony of gannets. Then you follow some trail markers around a little headland to reach another stretch of beach before climbing up into farmland to reach the second colony of gannets. It’s well marked when you leave the beach area.
The most signs you will come across are those warning you not to stop along the beach where there are cliff faces. This is due to the danger of rockslides along the cliff face. We witnessed a few rock slides whilst we were doing this hike, so make sure to actually heed the signs and don’t stop, except for the few designated stopping areas that are away from the cliff faces.
Black Reef Gannet Colony
Located 7.5km along the beach from the starting point, you’ll come across your first sighting of the Gannets. We stopped here to eat our lunch on the beach and watch the birds coming and going. There were still a few younger birds around at this time of year, so we were lucky enough to watch these being fed! If time is on your side, we highly recommend continuing on to the Cliff top colony as this is the best one to visit.
Cliff Top Gannet Colony
A detour from the beach will take you up some hills and through grasslands to the very top of the cliffs at the point. The walk itself is relatively easy and well marked. The colony at the top of the cliffs is well worth the climb! We were in awe of these birds and their huge nesting area. Watching parents circling above and landing to feed their chicks was incredible, if not a little gross, when they were actively feeding! We were the only ones here and felt immensely privileged to witness these birds in the wild.
Extra Tips/Info for Te Kauwae-a-Māui/Cape Kidnappers
You’ll have to wade through some water to get from the Black Reef colony to the cliff top colony. We didn’t take our hiking shoes off when doing this and very much regret that decision. So learn from our mistakes and either take your shoes off to wade through the ocean, or pack yourself some reef shoes that are designed to be worn in the water. That way, they won’t weigh you down and leave you with soggy feet for the rest of the hike.
Given the no stopping along most of this walk, we also suggest having some easily accessible snacks so you can walk and eat. Same goes for your water. Make sure it’s within reach so you don’t have to stop in any dangerous areas to access it. If you aren’t comfortable taking the risk of this hike to view the gannets, there are several companies that run tours to the cliff top colony. Either way, we highly recommend getting to the cliff top colony as it’s a truly incredible experience to sit and observe these birds.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Day Hike – Pouākai Crossing
- 6 Unmissable Short Walks in Waikato
- Campervan Essentials For Your Next Home on Wheels
