Cathedral Cove Walk

The Cathedral Cove Walk is the shortest walking route to Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand's most iconic beaches.

This beautiful corner of New Zealand has no shortage of scenery. The track passes through native trees like punga, harakeke, kawakawa, māpou, and, nearer the beach, pōhutukawa, which is easily recognised for its bright red blooms. Offshore, the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve(opens in new window) protects a rare and diverse reef ecosystem. 

Taking roughly an hour and a half to complete, the track follows the cliff-tops overlooking the coastline, before descending steeply as it nears the beach. The track is well formed, but you’ll need to be moderately fit and wear sturdy footwear. If you’re walking in summer (December to February), bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Parking

Visitors can park at the Hahei Visitor Car Park on Pā Road (free) or at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Car Park on Lees Road (charged), and from there, take a short walk or shuttle to the track’s entrance along Grange Road.

The nearest towns are Hahei (2 km), Whitianga (35 km) and Coromandel (54 km).

Pack in, pack out

There are no bins at Cathedral Cove, so please take your rubbish with you when you leave. This helps protect wildlife and keeps the reserve beautiful.

Facilities

There are no toilets on Cathedral Cove beach, but toilets are available at the entrance to the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track and near the entrance from Lees Road. 

The landscape around Cathedral Cove is naturally unstable, which means rockfalls and landslides may occur and could cause serious injury. To reduce the risk, avoid stopping or sitting near cliffs, standing under the archway, or visiting the cove during or after heavy rain.

The water around Cathedral Cove is not patrolled by lifeguards and is prone to rips.

To stay safe in the water:

• Visit at low tide and when the seas are calm.
• Leave the area before high tide. High tides flood the archway, so you could be prevented from returning through it.
• Supervise children at all times.

Please visit the Department of Conservation(opens in new window) before planning a trip.