In short
- Drive 25-30 minutes from Napier to Te Awanga or Clifton.
- Park for free at the tour departure bases.
- Join a guided 4WD or tractor tour to reach the reserve.
In this article
Most visitors start their day in Napier. The gannet colony sits at the end of a rugged cape, and you cannot drive a personal vehicle all the way to the nesting sites. You will need to travel to the coastal settlements of Te Awanga or Clifton to join an authorized tour.
How long is the drive from Napier to Cape Kidnappers?
The drive from Napier to the tour bases at Te Awanga or Clifton takes 25 to 30 minutes.
You will head south along the coast from Napier. The Gannet Safaris Overland base is located at 396 Clifton Road in Te Awanga. If you choose the vintage tractor tour, you will continue slightly further down the road to Clifton.
Can you drive your own car to Cape Kidnappers gannet colony?
No, personal vehicles cannot access the gannet plateau or the beach route.
The wildlife reserve sits across private farmland and a Department of Conservation (DOC) reserve. Visitors must park at the tour bases in Te Awanga or Clifton. Parking is free at these locations. From there, you switch to an authorized 4WD vehicle or vintage tractor.
How do you reach the birds from Te Awanga?
You take the Gannet Safaris Overland 4WD tour from 396 Clifton Road.
This is the most direct way to reach the birds. The air-conditioned 4WD vehicles drive across Cape Kidnappers Station directly to the plateau. The round trip takes 3 hours and covers 36 km. You will not need to do any walking to see the gannets.
What are the transport options from Clifton?
Gannet Beach Adventures offers vintage tractor tours starting from Clifton beach.
These open-air tractors drive along the coastline below the cliffs. The journey takes about 4 hours. Because they use the beach, departure times depend entirely on the daily low tides.
Is the beach walk to Cape Kidnappers an option?
Walking the beach is technically free but DOC highly discourages it due to severe danger.
The 19km hike takes 4 to 5 hours return over sand and pebbles. The route carries extreme rockfall and landslide risks from the cliffs above. If you attempt the walk, you must strictly time your journey with low tide and never linger under the cliffs.
How do cruise ship passengers get to the colony?
Cruise passengers can book a specific shore excursion that includes transport from Napier.
The standard overland tour does not include hotel or port pickup. Cruise ship visitors use a dedicated 4-hour excursion. This package includes an air-conditioned vehicle transfer from Napier directly to the cape.
Questions travellers ask
Do you need to book the Gannet Safaris in advance?
Yes, booking your tour in advance is recommended. The 4WD tours operate seasonally from roughly September 1 to April 30.
What is the easiest way to get to Cape Kidnappers from Napier?
The easiest route is driving your own car or a rental 25 to 30 minutes to Te Awanga, then taking the 3-hour guided 4WD tour to the plateau.
Can I walk to the gannet colony from Napier?
No, Napier is too far. Even walking from the much closer base at Clifton is a 19km round trip that takes 4 to 5 hours and involves severe landslide risks.
