Gannet Beach Adventures permanently closes after 'four very difficult and frustrating years'
The owners of Gannet Beach Adventures, which provided tractor-trailer tours to Cape Kidnappers for the last 70 years, have decided to permanently close their business.
In a statement on its website Owner-Operators Colin and Kim Lindsay said: "This decision has been made with much deliberation and angst and comes after four very difficult and frustrating years".
"In light of recent events, ongoing beach access issues and continued bureaucratic red tape, we have sadly come to the end of the road."
They said their locally owned & operated, once viable and well-loved iconic tourism business deserved a better ending than this.
"We took pride in operating a small local business that had overcome many obstacles over the years – some under the direction of founders Neil & Elizabeth Burden, and previous owners Rod Heaps & Dayna Hildreth - to reach a milestone of 70 years in operation.
"Our safety record was top-notch, and our use of vintage tractors was sustainable long before we all knew what that word meant. We employed locals. We gave an unforgettable and authentic ‘Kiwi’ experience to hundreds of thousands of tourists over many years - both domestic and international (many of whom rated our tour as the best thing they had done in New Zealand).
"We kept our prices at an affordable level so that families could come and enjoy our experience, and we transported many generations of families. We helped tired walkers with a ride home, tidal information or first aid. We retrieved stuck vehicles for relieved locals. We looked out for sick or injured gannets and other wildlife and took pride in caring for the rest shelter area at Cape Kidnappers. We donated vouchers for school and community fund-raisers and offered discounted educational tours. We were community minded and gave back where we could."
They thanked past passengers, their staff past and present, and those who have "had our backs" over the last few years.
However, they urged caution to those who use the beach in the future.
"To those who traverse the beach in the future, however you travel – take care and be safe, it is a very different place without us."
On January 23 2019, two tourists walking the track were caught in a landslide that left them with serious injuries.
As a result, Gannet Beach Adventures was told to stop operating their tractor trips by Hastings District Council and the Department of Conservation (DoC) and only returned to operation in December 2020.
