Piha, Muriwai & Gannet Colony In just over half an hour from Auckland CBD you will enter the wilderness of Waitakere Ranges and its beautiful forest and beaches. Our first stop will be at Muriwai Gannet Colony – a magic place where the two vertical-sided islands surrounded by raging waves of the Tasman Sea are populated by about 1,200 pairs of gannets. The gannets’ nests are just centimetres apart. Its an air traffic controllers nightmare, but somehow the birds have it under control. Those coming in to land must glide over the squawking raised beaks of their neighbours - so getting it wrong can be painful. These two-and-a-half kilogram birds have a wingspan of two metres, and their mastery of the onshore updrafts is impressive to say the least. The views from the colony are very impressive too. Muriwai Beach extends 60 kilometres to the north - a line of black sand between the thundering surf and the sand hills. Far below, enthusiastic surfers look like seals on the large ocean swells. Our next stop will get you to the West coast beauty – Piha beach. Piha is popular with experienced surfers, but it’s also a wonderful spot for picnics, relaxing walks and swims. You will walk along the black sand beach, enjoy the sound of the ocean, have a swim if you wish and share lovely picnic lunch. You will also climb the beautiful Lion Rock, a small island that stands in the middle of the beach providing remarkable views of the beach and ocean. Trip Highlights: -Muriwai Gannet Colony & beach -Gannet watching (January – March only) -Piha beach -Lion Rock -Picnic lunch at Piha beach -Scenic walks -Sunset watching (for afternoon trips only) Trip Duration: allow approximately 4 - 5 hours Trip departs (January – March): 8am & 2pm Trip departs (April – December): 10am Trip cost (rate based on a minimum 4 people group): $130 per person
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:42:30 +0000
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