Muriwai Beach & Gannet Colony

About

Muriwai has a long stretch of black sand west coast beach, but the reason most people make the drive is the takapu, the Australasian gannets, that nest on the headland at the southern end. Viewing platforms are built right up against the colony, close enough to watch the birds land, argue over nest space and take off into the wind below you. Birds are generally present from around August through to February or March, with numbers thinning as the season ends. Outside those months the platforms are still worth the walk for the coastline alone. The clifftop track is short and sealed. As at Piha, the surf is powerful and only safe between the flags when patrolled. Free, with parking near the surf club, and it's about forty-five minutes from the city.