Access

From the carpark at the end of Motutara Road in Muriwai, follow the boardwalk up Otakamiro Point.

There are toilets, barbecues and picnic tables at the carpark.

Alternatively, follow signposts along Waitea Road to the gannet colony and the carpark above Maori Bay.

Track

From the southern end of Muriwai Beach, the boardwalk snakes up to two lookout platforms, both perched on tips of the headlands. The second, above Motutara Island, can also be reached via an even, metalled track 5 minutes from the carpark at Maori Bay.

A return route through native forest past enormous pohutukawa is signposted 10 minutes form Maori Bay carpark and descends to the main parking area on a well-formed surface.

Geology

Above Maori Bay, interesting rock formations in the cliffs give clues to their geological past. The radiating spikes of angular rock are known as pillow lava and formed during the undersea eruption of molten rock.

On contact with cold water, the outer skin of a lava bubble cools, whilst the enclosed molten rock continues to flow under pressure. It penetrates a weakness in the shell of rock and explodes like a water-filled balloon, forming a pillow shape. The examples of the differing sized pillows preserved in the cliffs above Maori Bay are world-renowned.

Fauna

With increased numbers, the gannets have displaced the white-fronted terns from Motutara (which means ‘island of terns’) Island and formed their distinctive mounded nests atop the spectacular rock stack.

The Australasian gannet (Sula serrator) is a majestic flier and can often be seen diving with aerobatic precision to catch its prey. They only breed in New Zealand, but after fledging, spend 2-3 years around Australia before returning.

Between July and January, you can observe the gannets as they return to their original breeding grounds, establish partnerships, breed, nest and rear their chicks. The close proximity of the viewing platforms allow you to observe courtship displays, aggressive territorial squabbles (where beaks are locked amid much wing flapping) and rearing of nestlings.

The updraught from the cliffs is also harnessed by the birds to aid take off. You can watch them swoop and glide before deftly alighting on the hummocky terrain of their nesting grounds.