Gannets' Rock (Auckland) Muriwai Beach, North Island, New Zealand
By funkymunkyzone on 14-Jan-10. Waypoint GC22Z8H

Track is closed due to working on it. Fence would need to be climbed getting on the track.

My kiwi hosts suggested that a trip to the Gannett colony would be interesting. Not expecting much I found myself at this stunning location. I took as many photographs of signage as I could find as these usually help with EC answers.

Both the colony, Island the coastline and the beach all had something special about them.

Nice cache although not easy to answer the questions without a real gps instead of my iPhone

Wat een mooie cache plaats! Tftc

This was my favourite cache for today. I have never been here before, but have been wanting to for so long... even before I started caching. Seeing it in person with Tufty today was just as awesome as I had expected it to be. Gannets everywhere! (Maybe not quite as many as the 1000 pairs mentioned on the sign, but definitely enough to look very impressive.) A few people around too, but not so many that it was crowded. The sea stacks were interesting to observe as well, and I liked how there were information signs around to explain a bit more of what I was seeing. I've sent my measurements off to the CO and have attached a few photos.

This gets a favourite point from me since it was a brilliant place to come to. Thank you for setting up this Earthcache!! (#1570)

Such a brilliant experience to see the geology and the tākapu as well as a nearby cafe, (which we felt obliged to support). Too bad the gannets weren't flying or diving but they are so impressive anyway. I leart a new expression: pōhoi tākapu which is a ball of white down feathers worn as an ear adornment . Tftc

A nice quick find. Pleased to see the gannets today, but it seems a bit early for the breeding season. Lucky us! The smell was not to foul either. Thanks for placing your cache.

Ms_KR and I are in Auckland Auckland for a break and we are exploring the region while we are based here. Today we went to Muriwai and explored some of the area. The weather was lspottining rain most of the day, sometimes heavier, and sometimes lighter. Still a great day out though.

Thanks to all CO's for publishing and maintaining their caches. Cheers.

Travelled up to Auckland for the Mega this weekend and to visit our daughter. We enjoyed seeing so many gannets and their young, but not quite so sure about the smell! Thank you for bringing us here, a favourite from us.

What a lovely place here with al the gannets and the marvelous scenic view. Thanks for bringing us up here, we loved every minute.

# 1931 Out at Muriwai today with junior cachers dangerSAM and VentureTIM. This earthcache was our first stop of the day. My first time here even after spending a good chunk of my life in Auckland. A great vantage point and a nice little geology lesson, even if I cant really visualize how this stack formed. Thanks funkymunkyzone for another earthcache.

Foggy day out so couldn't see much. Tftc

Labour day Monday was our first day in a very long time when we had the whole family at home and we could get out and about so we headed here to see the majestic gannets (we have been meaning to get here for the entire 19 years we have been in Auckland and today was the day). They didn't disappoint. Thanks for the cache here, a nice easy cache to complete.

Good excuse to head out here and admire these amazing creatures and the awesome geology. Thanks for taking the time to make this earthcache.

Lovely spot still with lots of gannets. Coukd have watched them for hours. TFTC

Really enjoyed the walk and the views. The respective viewing platforms had a steady flow of visitors and fair enough too! Thanks for this Earthcache FMZ (answers sent through).

I was out here doing some contactless caching so todays weather was just perfect for an adventure lab and an earth cache. I expected spring might have brought more gannet action but they may have been out fishing.

I was out at Muriwai this morning and found myself at this Earth Cache. It was cold and blustery and there were not a lot of Gannets about and I still struggle with my GPS but have sent my answers to the CO anyway. Thanks for "placing" the EarthCache

Really nice out here today!

Only one lone gannet that got lost here today!

Thanks for placing the Earthcache!

We were lucky to visit this beautiful location on a tour to the New Zealand west coast. Always interesting to see nature at work. Thank you for bringing us here. TFTEC

Smelly and busy. Some chicks ready to leave.

Many thanks for this Earthcache.
Have been here so many times in the distant past when we lived at Waimauku.
A bit windy but not excessively smelly.
Cheers....

I was at Gannets Rock to pick up a new cache and as this earthcache was close by I decided I would attempt it. Hopefully the answers I have sent to the CO are correct!

Wir haben zum Ende unserer Reise noch Zeit genommen um diesen tollen Platz zu besuchen. Danke für die Infos. FP IN

Today we visited the Gannet´´``'s Rock and it was unbelievable how many gannets are there. We spent nearly one hour watching the birds with the many many chicks. The answers are sent to the owner and a big thank you to him for these cache at these outstanding place.
js333 from germany

After picking up our campervan in the morning, our first stop in this beautiful country was at the Muriwai Gannet colony. The rough beach with the thundering waves, high cliffs and thousands of birds really made for a fantastic stop. Thanks for providing an Earthcache at this busy location! TFTC!

Visited today with my geowife InvisibleDoctor as a part of our day trip from Auckland to the wild west coast. And wild it was! Lots of wind and rain, massive waves, and lots of very wild gannets! It didn't stop us though, from having a swim (or rather some wave jumping) in the sea and from walking around the nesting grounds and find the two local geocaches!

Many TFTC to the CO and for extra info on the colony history, which I must have missed on the signs around!

While visiting Auckland My old-school friend took me out to Muriwai where i hadn't been for 40 years! I do remember the gannets being at the rock then and a fairly rough track to see them at the distance but now you get up really close quite within touching distance and the track is now laid concrete!
We saw parents sitting on an egg Parents swapping duty and many different sized chicks .the photo is of a quite large chick but here were bigger . I can easily see why fishermen are washed off the rock as we watched a wave come over the rock and wet the fisherman standing there. After viewing the gannets we went to an old pub - now a great cafe- for lunch and talked and talked. a wonderful catch up day with a beautiful view of the beach, the gannets and the rocks.

Send answers. I really like Muriwai. What a nice little Earth cache. Tftc says Marika from Germany

Jakesrage and I had a lovely afternoon on Muriwai beach. The gannets were quite spectacular. We also stayed to watch the beautiful sunset. Tftc

Wow the gannets were really incredible seeing them so close. We enjoyed working on this cache (even if i didn't quite get over the smell). My picture os unfortunately a little dark and you can't see me so well. Tftc with isistibisi.

Staying with friends at Bethells Beach so a quick road trip to Muriwai seemed in order, picking up a few caches on the way. I think it's earlier in the year than our previous visits as the gannets were still engaging in courtship rituals and nestbuilding. It was interesting to note how the nests are placed with geometric precision to be precisely two beaks' apart...and fun to watch the odd poor gannet get pecked to buggery as it ran the gauntlet of the nesting birds to get to the cliff edge. Always fun coming here. Thanks for bringing us back. TFTC & FP.

Greetings from St. Louis, MO. OCW geocachers from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. Having a great time. Signed the logs as NZGA2019. Answers were sent in from our group. Thank you.

Found with a NZAUS Geocaching group. Answers sent from the group. Loved it can't wait to look at the pics from my dlsr

Tftc greetings from Puerto Rico
Travelling with a group of geocacher sign as NZGa2019

I am traveling with a group called New Zealand/Australia Geocaching Adventure 2019. We are from all over the USA and Canada. We are stamping the logs with NZGA 2019 to save time and space on the logs. If answers are required for this cache, at least one of us will be submitting them for the group. Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for the rest of us from the other side of the world to enjoy finding!

Arrived in New Zealand from Canada for a couple days before our cruise.
There are 33 in our group so we signed NZGA2019
Second day in Auckland Going on bus tour of the city and area

answers went by one of our group

Had a great time touring portions of New Zealand and Australia with the NZGA 2019 group. Enjoyed seeing the beach and Gannet's rock. Answers were sent by various members of our group. Thanks for placing an Earth cache here for us to think about.

Squirrel! I am one of the 30odd cachers and i am visiting from Tennessee , with muggles, and friends traveling to New Zealand and Australia. We signed or stamped the logs as NZGA2019 aka New Zealand Geocaching Adventure 2019. It is a 25 day adventure through 9 different cities between the two countries.

Answers sent in by one of our group -- Geo-tek

all is good, so cache on!

Found with about 30 other cachers from the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. All the log was signed with our group stamp as NZGA2019 (New Zealand Geocaching Adventure). Tomorrow we start our cruise to some other ports in New Zealand. Answers sent by geo-tek. TFTC

Day 2 of our stay in Auckland with lots of caching fun! Our group stamps logs NZGA2019, which stands for New Zealand Geocaching Adventure 2019. We represent Puerto Rico, Canada, and my home, the USA. Thanks for adding to the joy of visiting your wonderful country with this nice Earth Cache. One of cachers has volunteered to send in the necessary information for our group.

I am visiting from Beautiful British Columbia, Canada along with others from Canada, the USA, and Puerto Rico. We are signing logs as NZGA 2019 on behalf of the group. Thanks for placing these caches for us to find and for adding to our fun day
Awesome place to visit. Gets a fave. Answers have been sent

Enjoying the North Island with our caching group NZGA 2019. TFTC

I am traveling with 32 other people, most of whom are geocachers. We are from all over the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. We are signing logs NZGA2019 (New Zealand Geocaching Adventure). Today was our second day in Auckland. Geo-tech is sending answers but picture is attached.

queenofscots & bobstaf arrived early yesterday morning in auckland, NZ .. .....we will be geocaching & sightseeing for the next 2 1/2 weeks with over 30 other cachers from USA, canada & puerto rico....... we leave auckland on 11/8 aboard the celebrity solstice......cruise around new zealand and over to tasmania, finally arriving in sydney, australia, ......after that, the two of us will continue to explore southeast australia while we enjoy our final week at a time share before returning to virginia

we climbed aboard our bus for a day long tour of auckland and the surrounding area.....logs were signed NZGA2019 (new zealand geocaching adventure 2019)....... TCTF, queenie

answers sent by geo-tek......picture to be posted for the group

I’m a Canadian Cacher with a group of 32 others we are from US, Puerto Rico and Canada heading out on a cruise tomorrow. This is day 2 of caching and enjoying our visit to Auckland. What a gorgeous day to explore the area. Signing logs NZGA2019 geo-tek is sending answers for our group.

Found during my Australia/New Zealand Adventure with the group NZGA 2019 (New Zealand Geocaching Adventure).
Many logs were signed with the group name to save space. Thanks for the smiley and for adding to our fun by placing and maintaining this cache. Tumbleweed2 from West Richland, Washington State, USA

I am visiting from Rhode Island with a large group (31) of Geocachers from USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. We will be signing as NZGA 2019 (New Zealand Geocaching Adventure 2019) to save room on the logs. We are out caching on this beautiful day in your wonderful country. If answers or pictures are required one if us will send them soon. Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache!

This was an interesting and fun EC in a great location. Sent in the answers for the NZGA group. Am awarding this a fav for such a great location and cache. One of the group will post a group photo but here is mine. TFTC

This was the highlight of our bus tour today. Really enjoyed the birds and the rock formations. With a group of 31 Geocachers and muggles about to depart on a cruise around the islands and off to Sidney. My answers were sent and picture posted, also in a group photo that may be posted. Thank you for brining us here. TFTC

queenofscsots are taking a land/sea tour of New Zealand and Australia with a group of geocaching friends. We are having a great time exploring these great counties. Logs are stamped with NZGA2019.
Thanks to funkymunkyzone for placing and maintaining this cache. Without their work this game would not be possible.
Caches should be fun and creative, not evil.
Exploring the world one cache at a time.

OCW with a group from the USA. Today we were touring New Zealand by bus. Enjoyed seeing the coastline and all the birds.

TFTC

We decided to go here only this morning. It proofed to be a great decision. Very nice sunny weather, few people on the tracks and handful of surfers. After we tried to answer the questions to this earthcache, we walked around and looked at the amazing views here.
Thank you for this earthcache.

Logging have sent my hopefully not wildly inaccurate answers to the CO. I have come here a few times to look at the gannets but not for a while so would be as Bennett24 calls it "BC" (before caching). We did a couple of multis in the area too and it's quite a nice place all round to visit to do a few caches.

This could have a high difficulty rating based on getting a view in competition to the multitudes of muggles coming to see the gannets and why not, it is an amazing view and we are lucky in New Zealand that we can have such an outstanding natural site available for anyone that can afford gas money to get there.

In the end got our gap in the crowds and spent a bit of time arguing over altitudes and degrees but eventually more or less settled on what we thought the answers should be. Sat down and realised we needed a photo so waited some more and then took our pictures.

Very good spot to have an earthcache, and well worth the visit for the sights alone, nice to have the bonus of the earthcache to get. Thanks for the cache. +FP

After 6 hours around Goldies Bush, Tuolei and I came up to grab a couple of extras in the area. Haven't been out this way for quite a while and never have I parked close to the colony before, having always walked up from the beach in the past so was surprised to see how many people were here at 5pm on Sunday. The walk was quite busy with a number of tourist buses arriving and departing in just the few minutes we were there.

Once we made our way to the viewing platform we managed to sneak in between the tourists to get the info required and take a few photos. Answers sent to CO who has given permission to log. TFTEC.

### **14034** ###
###    **EARTH 116** ###
During our holidays in New Zealand, we spent a couple of days in Northland with program sightseeing, gastronomy and, of course, Geocaching!
So, we took the time to visit the Earth Cache "Black Rocks" who the well-documented listing will fill with happiness the geology and archeology lovers.
On the ground… in the water sorry, you will discover a beautiful and an interesting geological site.
Everything comes together to make a beautiful and informative EarthCache who deserves to be in our favorites.
***M*** auruuru ***K*** oe ***T*** e ***K*** eteroki
***T*** hank ***F*** or ***T*** he ***C*** ache
***M*** erci ***P*** our ***L*** a ***C*** ache

My wife and I are frequent visitors to this spot to view the nesting gannets and white-fronted terns. It is delightful that visitors can observe this fascinating spectacle without disturbing the birds. Right now a few chicks of each species have hatched. Some years a brown booby is discovered with the gannets. It is a related species that is only present because it has been blown way off its intended course. Occasionally a black-backed gull can be seen flying slowly above the nesting gannets. It is hoping to snatch a free meal of an egg or a chick if a parent is careless. It is interesting to observe the local starlings landing high up on the walls of the stack and collecting something, presumably a useful mineral and possibly one contained in gannet guano.
Like many before me I could follow the concept that was being described in the second requirement but struggled to determine exactly what specific information is required. Hopefully I was able to convey enough to the CO to merit a pass mark.
Many thanks to the CO for drawing attention to the fascinating geology of this location.

Great to be back here. We helped a friend on a treasure hunt here before we even knew about geocaching, and we have never geocached here since we started. We do come frequently as sisso2 is an avid photographer and we love watching the life cycle. Hoping to get some pictures with eggs today. Used our primitive (iPhone) device and sent answers. Enjoying also the board riders competition today.

Great place to come whilst on holiday! The gannets were so noisy and it was incredible how close you could get to them. Thanks for placing this cache at a great spot!

I have been more impressed by the bird colony than the cliffs. Thanks for showing this interesting place!

TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC! TF TC!

We visited New Zealand over the weekend to see some family who live in Titirangi, not far from this area. On a beautiful day we drove to the West Coast, which we have seen before, but never grow tired of. Despite the beautiful day, it was windy relative to the rest of the areas we visited.
At GZ, we admired the view, noted that there were no gannets in sight at this time of the year and then got to work to see if we could answer the questions required in order to log this cache.
Thanks funkymonkeyzone for bringing us this way, and for placing this earthcache.
Greetings from Australia
Domsky

It has been a very long time since the last visit to this area. Pity all the birds had flown but still wonderful to look at the sea stack. Gathered all the info and took a few photos. Answers sent to CO. TFTEC

Had some time on my hands today, being Saturday and what beautiful weather at this time of the year! So I thought I'd come out to Muriwai, pick up some caches for the Planetary Pursuit souvenirs and have myself a very good day! Off course I have been here a million times over the years but the first time to do an earth cache at Muriwai.

I was slightly annoyed with myself for not noticing the C.O's other earth cache just a little south of here, the low tide today would have been perfect to go and get that too.

Never mind, I gained the info required and have sent that to the C.O.

There was a bit of a scare here as I arrived to do the cache, someone reported to the authorities that another someone had fallen into the sea by where the fishermen were, I could overhear from the conversation with the fire service and the reportee that no one could be seen flailing about in the sea, a false alarm I guess???

Cheers for the EC FMZ, great work done on the research! A FP from me.

We had the great chance to travel around New Zealand during six weeks and were able to see wonderful cities, landscapes and meet nice Kiwis. While staying in NZ many cache owners gave us the opportunity to search for very well hidden treasures and we thank them very much for preparing and maintaining them.
Greetings from Swiss geocachers
oli kuul

Enjoyed trip with three backpackers from Auckland to here. We were blessed with great sunset. TFT Earth cache.

Staying in Muriwai for the weekend and a real bonus to visit the rock and see so many eggs and chicks, it was amazing to be so close.
We think we worked out the answers , did our best anyway. Sent to CO. Thanks for a great earthcache...........

Was out at Muriwai in the weekend collecting some of the caches, and stopped by this great lookout. Answers sent to the CO, and pic as attached. Already seen two bus loads of tourists arriving, so could get busy later. TFTC

One of our favorite spots in Auckland. Closest west coast surf beach to home so Kiwi has been here many times over the years.

Lovely day today compared to the rubbish that was thrown at us yesterday. Looks like we are not the only people coming out to the west coast for some salt air. Car park very busy but only 1 keen surfer out today. A para-glider has taken the leap of faith and is floating around above the beach. Surprised but glad to see that some gannets have already found there way back for the new breeding season.

Measurements & photo have been taken. Answers emailed. TFTEarthcache

It was quite windy, but really clear, so good day to see the gannets. We took our overseas visitors here and they really liked to view. Answers already submitted. TFTeC.

What a lovely spot and amazing place. After a week working in Auckland, and a weekend exploring the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, I had just time this morning to take a scenic route to the airport and stopped off here, as my recent hosts recommended the beach. It was only when I was here that I saw this Earthcache and I walked up to see the Gannets. Loads of them! An interesting feature and earth cache. Answers sent which I hope will be good enough to pass, even if they need improvement. Thanks!

Breathtaking

We decided to go for a Sunday drive and visit the Gannet Colony. Fortunately for me there was also a geocache here that I hadn't yet collected. This was a great spot and pleased to have been able to collect a cache as well. TFTC!

Ganet chicks nearly young adults. tftc

Visited the gannets and their chicks on a sunny day. amazing what noise they make... with low tide it was even possible to have a picnic at the fishing rocks clos-by. great to watch the waves coming in splashing against the rocks. TFTC!

We love coming to visit this place and watch the gannets, last time we got to see their babies out but this time there are just lots of eggs, will come back to see the new born gannets soon, it's a very easy walk and worth the time, plenty of other caches around to grab too (: thank you

We were here on our last trip to NZ 10 years ago, it was not quite as developed as now, but still a great place to visit again. Well worth the time to see and learn more about these amazing birds. Thanks for bringing us back to see them again.

A day out with the kids for some education, exploration and of course geocaching. Lots of breeze coming off the sea today which meant a pretty fresh stench was in flow which MISS 8 didn't enjoy!

#3268. The family decided a picnic out at Muriwai was the days activity. I looked online and saw that geocaching would be part of the days activity as well. We stopped by here to check out the gannets and watch some people parapenting with the fresh westerly breeze coming up from the sea. Headed around to the gannet viewing platforms and started to gather the information required to complete this earthcache. Have to say I had no idea the stack formed by two separate sea caves eroding in. Always thought it was just a remnant of the clifftop now used by gannets below the viewing platform. So learnt something here today. Sent information to the CO. Thanks for the earthcache.

Did this 3 months ago when visiting West Auckland. Its a great spot and the odour is a nostalgic reminder of several trips to Cape Kidnappers. Thanks.

Will send the answers at a later date.

Final day in Auckland, and Cached and I were lucky enough to have someone take us for a cruise out of the city - gorgeous spot, loved visiting here, Cached has already sent in the answers for us both
Many thanks funkymunkyzone from the Wacky one

Out today with the rellies in Auckland on our last day. Tricky questions, answered to best of ability. Interesting spot.

Cached and Wacky

After a good walk, Ninalila and I wanted to see this place.
After seeing some gannets diving on the east coast, it is time to see the colony.
Very impressive to see that much, and even stern.
Also an interesting feature here with the rock and the sea.
Thank you for the earthcache

Fefe.adrien and I absolutely wanted to see this gannet colony. We missed the other one at Cape Kidnappers but in the Northland we could see many gannets diving into the sea, very impressive. We enjoyed our visit to this colony, birds are nesting, lovely ! We spent maybe three hours in order to see the sunset on the colony. Gannets are not the only sea birds over there, a colony of terns is present too.

Thanks for the discovery

It was quite fun to solve the Earthcache while watching the gannets. It's awsome to see them building their homes...
Thanks for this one! Let a fp here!

 (4662) Today we explored west coast - really beautiful area.
Thanks for the cache.

Found with Skyryser a while ago. TFTC The-Shredder

First The-Shredder and me planned to visit Cape Kidnappers for the Gannet. But luckily we didn't do the 7h hike. Did the 7min hike here instead. Thanks for the earth cache here and all the things we could learn. TFTC Skyryser

After an overnight stay nearby, a walk on the beach, we headed off to collect the answers for the earthcache. Fascinating venue. Answers sent to CO.

Enjoyed visiting the area. Boy are those birds odoriferous.
Chris & Renate from Ontario, Canada

6 years ago we were also on holiday here in New Zealand and visited this very nice spot.
#3196 @ 15:00
TFTC and greetings from the Netherlands.

#10719. It was good to find that the gannets colony was an easy walk from the car park. Luckily a compass is part of the caching kit. It took a bit of pondering to work out how to get the required info. Thanks for bringing us here; it was an enjoyable spot to visit. Troodles emailed answers on behalf of both of us. TFTC.

One of the items on our must do list while in Auckland was a trip to Muraiwai as neither of us had been there before. Today the weather looked perfect for a drive out to the area.
I was amazed at how close some of the lookouts got to the gannets, so we got some great views of the parents tending to the chicks (some of which looked as big as mum/dad but maybe the fluffy feathers made them look bigger than they actually were.
The sea stack was quite impressive, and watching the sea pounding against the rocks, I wasn't surprised at the erosion here. Answers emailed to CO, but on second thoughts I wonder if I should have subtracted the declination rather than adding it. Trig never was my strong point [B)].
Thanks for bringing me here - the rocks themselves were worth a visit but the gannets were the icing on the cake. TFTC.

Retro logged cache. What an amazing place, we saw here in january so many gannets here What a breathtaking scenery. So many peaceful birds on this scenic location with perfect views, I cant find the right words about this beauty place. I had so many memories from here. Thank you for showing me this place and also thank you for the intersting Earthcache. Answers sent to the owner, TFTEC.

Found whilst out viewing the gannet colony with a friend. Answers emailed to cache owner. TFTC.

Beautiful place

TFTC Larosch / LFL

Impressive ! Greetings from Switzerland. TFTC !

A most interesting spot, and a nice earth cache to add to our understanding. Thanks for another one. Earns a favorite for the spot. Answers sent.

#289 ... OK, Now that I carefully read directions again I see I was supposed to include GPS unit in photo. It was in my pocket at the time our friend snapped the picture of us. But we DID have it with us and had specifically planned to grab this earth cache when we went there. Hope that counts!

Out in the area for the day with some caching friends. Logged as “Knight Riders”
One of the others will send in the required info.

A large contingent from South East Auckland decided to come out to Muriwai for the day to cache into the night and complete some of the night caches in the area. We stopped at this iconic lookout and with the perfect weather had great views of the beaches and the gannet colony. It has been years since we have been out this way, some thanks for bringing us here again!

Have sent the answers and attached our photo. TFTEC!