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Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove, near Hahei is a popular tourist destination located within the Te-Whangaui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and is one of the most photographed natural landmarks in NZ.
The Cove is famous for its cathedral-like rock arch that links two secluded beaches. Over centuries, waves and wind carved this arch into the soft coastal rock, creating the dramatic formation that gives the cove its name.
It is only accessible by foot, boat/water taxi or kayak for the adventurous.
The Cathedral Cove walkway
The walkway to Cathedral Cove is one of the country’s most memorable coastal hikes. It leads visitors along dramatic cliffs, past quintessential Coromandel scenery of pohutukawa trees and down to a pristine white-sand beach.
The coastal walk is about 5kms return (around 3 miles) and is well formed but has steep sections and steps. It needs moderate to good fitness and sturdy footwear. It can be very hot in summer and there is no running water, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
The steps down to the Cove require a reasonable level of fitness to come back up. Due to this, it is not stroller, pushchair or wheelchair friendly.
The walk takes around 30-45 mins each way but you’ll want to allow time to enjoy the sights along the way as well as time at Cathedral Cove itself.
Where does the walk start from?
The public start of the walkway is in Hahei, a 10 minute drive from Flaxmill. Follow Grange Road (just past the Hahei shops) up the hill to the start of the track.
You will need to plan your transport, as there is no parking at the track entrance.
The track follows the coastal hilltops through both forest and open grass areas. It descends steeply as it approaches the Mares Leg Cove and Mautohe Cathedral Cove beaches. The track ends at Mares Leg Cove beach, where you can view the rock arch through to Mautohe-Cathedral Cove beach.
Instead of accessing the walkway from Hahei, there is a private walkway, the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail which meanders through farmland from Lees Road and joins the main track half way along. There is an entry fee to access this walkway which includes car parking.
Tips for the Cathedral Cove Walk
Hahei and the start of the main walkway is a 10 minute drive from Flaxmill. If you wish to walk the Gateway trail, this is located off Lees Road (on your left on the main road through before you get to Hahei).
The distance to the Cove is 2.5kms and it takes about 30-45 mins.
There are public toilets in the carpark at start of the walkway, or in Hahei.
There are steep stairs going down to Cathedral Cove – what goes down, must come up!
There are local tour boats that can take you to the Cove, however they have fixed seats so cannot cater for wheelchairs.
Sea Cave Adventures offer boat tours around the coast from Whitianga Wharf, so if you can negotiate a small flight of steps, they can help you to a seat.
Good walking shoes, camera/phone, drinking water, sunscreen, hat, swimwear/towel.
There are no shops on the track so if you want food, you’ll need to it with you. There are many wonderful places to have a picnic.
Remember to take any rubbish back with you.
Make sure you’re not on the wrong side of the ‘hole in the rock’ when the tide comes in. It can come in very quickly and you might have to get wet trying to get back to the walkway!
There are local operators in Hahei and Whitianga who run boat, kayak or snorkelling/dive tours which take in the Marine Reserve and Cathedral Cove coastline. See our On The Water ideas.
There is no parking at the start of the walkway at the top of Grange Road, it is a ‘drop off only’ zone.
If you have good walking fitness, you can park down the road and walk up Grange Road.
The private Gateway Trail track (from Lees road) does have car parking as part of the entry fee.
Visit the Thames Coromandel District Council website for information about where to park in Hahei.
