|
Prices and Packages:
A great selection of accommodation and boating packages available
here>>
|
|
BOATING OPTIONS
|
OUR POWER CATAMARAN & BOATING
OPTIONS
|
|
"TOP CAT"
SPECIFICATIONS:
| Marine
Survey Licence # |
|
MSA No: 132505 |
| Make:
|
|
Kevlacat Sportfisher 2800 |
| Dimensions |
|
LOA:
8.5m |
| |
|
Beam:
2.8m |
| |
|
Draught: .6m |
| Motors: |
|
Twin Steyr 236 Inboard Diesels
with Bravo II Stern Legs |
| Navigational Aids: |
|
Compass, full set of Raymarine
Pathfinder instruments, including GPS, Plotter, Sounder, Radar,
Autopilot and VHF |
| Safety Equipment: |
|
EPIRB, Lifejackets, Automatic Bilge
Pumps, Fire Extinguishers and Flares |
| Domestic Equipment: |
|
Electric Marine Flush
Toilet, Refrigerator, FM/CD Radio, Gas BBQ, Fish Smoker |
| Fishing Equipment: |
|
Reflex Game Poles &
Cannon Downriggers, Live Bait Tank, Quality Rods & Reels
available for hire. |
| Certification: |
|
“Top Cat” operates under
the stringent Safe Ship Management programme overseen by
Maritime New Zealand. Your skipper is suitably qualified and
has over 25 years of local and offshore sailing experience. |
|
|
| TIRI TIRI MATANGI BIRD
SANCTUARY |
|
A 45 minute trip in “Top Cat” will take you to one of the
highlights of the Hauraki Gulf. The world recognised Tiri Tiri
Matangi Bird Sanctuary is home to some of New Zealand’s most
endangered birds and the open sanctuary provides a unique
opportunity to see them close up in their natural habitat.
Tiritiri Matangi is one of only two Open Scientific Reserves
in New Zealand, the other being the Albatross colony at Taiaroa
Heads near Dunedin. Tiritiri Matangi Island is a successful
partnership between the Department of Conservation and the
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (Inc.) a
dedicated group of volunteers.
New Zealand Saddleback
Some of the rarer birds that have been introduced are Tieke,
the saddleback, Kakariki, the red crowned parakeet,
Toutouwai, the north island robin, Popokatea, the
whitehead, little spotted Kiwi, Hihi, the stitchbird, Kokako,
Pateke, the brown teal and the flightless Takahe once
thought to be extinct. The Takahe seem almost too easy to
see. All of them are colour banded and have names, some English,
some Maori. It is interesting to see Takahe and Pukeko
together and compare size, shape, and behaviour.
Korimako, the bellbird, is almost everywhere. Their
vocalisations are quite wonderful, extremely liquid and loud. The
call for which they are named, a three or four note bell-like
sequence is their morning call. It is like being surrounded by a
bell-ringing chorus. Brown Teal were reintroduced to the
island in 1987 and now occupy most ponds and wet places on the
island. Blue penguin are numerous with artificial burrows set up for
them. As well as the more common bush birds such as Piwakawaka,
the fantail, Tui, Tauhau, the silvereye, and
Riroriro, the grey warbler, there are grey-faced
petrels in the breeding season and Puweto,
the spotless crake, all making it is one of the few places
left where one can hear the dawn chorus of our birds as they once
were heard.
The Tiri lighthouse is one of only a few surviving lighthouse
settlements in New Zealand, and the only one easily accessible to
the public. Built in 1864, the lighthouse is also one of the oldest.
It is made of cast iron, pre-fabricated in Pimlico, England and
brought out by ship (Queen of the Deep) in sections which were
bolted together on site. Over 21m tall and 4.7m in diameter at the
base, it flashes every 15 seconds. Was originally painted red.
Approx. duration 4-5 hours
Round Trip Cost: $400
|
Tiri Tiri Matangi Lighthouse. (click to enlarge).
Takahe (click to enlarge).
Map of "The Gulf" (click to enlarge).
|
|
| GOAT ISLAND MARINE RESERVE |
|
45 minutes north, just around Cape Rodney, is New Zealand’s oldest
established marine reserve.
Either swim or snorkel amongst the fish and if the water is too cold
or you are not into swimming, join the Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
($20p.p.) for a unique look at the underwater life which inhabits
our coastal waters.
The Glass Bottom Boat, run by Ivan and Christina Blackwell, has been
operating safely for over 12 years. “Aquador” has been specifically
designed and built to give visitors the best possible view of the
marine life without going underwater. It has recently been
refurbished and can take up to 49 passengers.
The aluminium boat is 11 metres long and has large glass windows in
the floor. Seating for 49 people ensures good views from all seats.
An easy access ramp allows safe, dry and easy embarking from the
beach.
Approx. duration 3.5 - 5 hours
Round Trip Cost: $400
Glass Bottom Boat add $20.00 p.p.
|
Glass Bottom Boat - underwater viewing..
|
|
| LOCAL FISHING TRIPS |
|
Local fishing and scalloping (in season) trips are available in the
sheltered waters of Kawau Bay. We can combine these with a
sightseeing tour of the island or one of the other trips to Tiri
Tiri or Goat Island. A special treat on a warm summer’s evening is
to enjoy “happy hour” onboard at sunset while fishing the prime
“change of light” bite time.
Boat Cost: P.O.A. depending on trip duration and areas visited.
|
|
|
| SERIOUS FISHING TRIPS |
|
Take a trip in “Top Cat” out to the Mokohinaus or Little
Barrier Island where the big snapper live.
We said Big Snapper!
"Top Cat" was originally set up as
a “sports fisher” targeting big game fish off the Queensland coast
and provides a very comfortable, stable fishing platform for the
sometimes choppy waters of the Outer Gulf.
She cruises at 24 knots which means more time fishing and less time
travelling.
Round Trip Boat Cost: $175 per hour
- includes bait and rod-hire!
Lunch: $10.00 - 15.00 p.p.
|
Our boat was originally set up as a “sports fisher” targeting big
game fish off the Queensland
Coast.
|
|
| TRANSFERS "ON THE WATER" |
|
If you are travelling on to another local destination after your
visit, we can provide one way transfers to or from Auckland City,
Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island or other Hauraki Gulf
locations.
Price on application.
|
Map of "The Gulf" (click to enlarge). |
|
| NOTES |
|
Maximum number of guests onboard 8.
All trips can be tailored to include a scrummy lunch. Options range
from a picnic basket for 2 on a deserted beach to a BBQ on board the
boat. Cost from $10 - $17.50 per head.
Enjoy your lunch with a bottle of local wine from one of the
Matakana Coast vineyards.
“Top Cat” is fully equipped to exceed Maritime NZ Safety
Standards, and even has a flush toilet on
board for your comfort.
All trip bookings are weather dependent and there is no charge if
the trip is cancelled by us due to bad weather.
If one of the options above doesn’t suit we will be happy to
personalise a trip to fit your requirements.
|
Dave & Helen Jeffery
|
|
Home | E-mail | Site Map
In recognition of our responsibility to the environment and to further
enhance the pleasure of your stay, we are endorsed as Kiwi Green
Certified, using only eco-friendly products in our cleaning. If
you're concerned about the impact of your travelling, we're also able to
offer the facility of offsetting your carbon footprint through Kiwi
Green Regeneration.
It is believed that the contents of this page are a full and fair
representation.
Interested parties, should however, make their own enquiries to satisfy
themselves on all aspects. All prices, rates & specifications are subject to change, and, or,
alteration by external influence. E&OE
©2006 Kawau Island Experience. (Kawaulodge.co.nz &
sailingholiday.co.nz).
|
|
