JD's Cape Kidnappers View (Hawkes Bay) Traditional Cache
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JD's Cape Kidnappers View (Hawkes Bay)
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Size: 
(small)
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A cache that has a "Clearview' of Cape Kidnappers from Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay. The cache commemorates a recent visit to the region from Savannah, Georgia, USA.
Cape Kidnappers is a headland at the southeastern extremity of Hawke Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located 20 kilometres southeast of the city of Napier, but is closer to Hastings and Havelock North.
The promontory sits at the end of an eight kilometre long peninsula which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. It was named after an attempt by local Maori to abduct one of the crew of Capt. James Cook's ship Endeavour in 1769.
The Cape is famous as a home of a large Gannet colony. The gannet, a member of the booby family, is related to the families of shags, pelicans and frigate-birds. Adult Australasian gannets have a wing span of up to 2 metres and an average weight of 2kgs.
Though ungainly on land, these birds are designed for graceful flying and sudden dives from great heights into the sea to catch fish. They have inflatable air sacs underneath the skin on the lower neck and breast, which act as shock absorbers when they enter the water.
As the birds are migratory, the first trip for the new chicks is to Australia where they stay for 2 – 3 years before they return to New Zealand to live. The reserve attracts many visitors from both New Zealand and overseas who make the trek around the coast from Te Awanga on foot, sitting on the back of tractors that meander along the beach, overland by 4WD or even on kayaks. To walk to the Cape, leave you car at Clifton Domain, located 18 km east of Hastings. The domain has a camping ground, boat-launching area, and is a popular swimming point. The 8km walk takes about two hours and can only be done safely at certain times. It is important to only set off with the latest information on getting to the colony, which is available from all local visitor information centres. There are many sights along the way including spectacular views of stratified rock beds featuring gravels, conglomerate and mudstone. The sea and wind have also carved interesting shapes out of the soft sands and shingles of the cliffs.
Please feel free to post photographs of the Cape Kidnappers' Cliffs from the GZ when you log your entry.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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