Cathedral Cove Beach — Attraction in North Island

A Scenic Adventure to Cathedral Cove: Worth the Effort

Visiting Cathedral Cove is an unforgettable experience, but it's important to be prepared for the journey, especially if it's your first time. The drive to Cathedral Cove is not for the faint of heart, with winding roads that require extra caution. While most of the speed limits are around 100 km/h, these twisting paths demand that you take your time and drive safely. It's a beautiful route, but it's important to remember that safety should come first.

Once you reach the parking area near Cathedral Cove, there is a $10 parking fee to consider. From there, you will need to embark on a 2-3 kilometer walk to reach the famous beach. This trail can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're traveling with children. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and a lot of patience, as the walk can feel long and the kids may get bored along the way. The trail does have some steep stairs to navigate, which adds to the physical challenge.

That said, the reward at the end is absolutely worth it. Cathedral Cove is one of New Zealand's most iconic natural attractions. The stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters make every step of the journey worth it. Whether you're there to soak in the breathtaking views or take a dip in the serene waters, the experience is unforgettable.

Pro Tips: Be prepared for a bit of a hike — especially if you're traveling with kids. Take your time on the winding road for safety. Don’t forget snacks, water, and sunscreen. The steep stairs can be tricky — make sure everyone is up for the challenge.

Overall, Cathedral Cove is a must-visit, but it's important to plan ahead and be prepared for the journey. The stunning natural beauty that awaits at the end makes the trip a truly...

Beautiful spot with lovely views, known for being mistaken for the Windows default wallpaper (actually Wharariki beach on the South Island). There’s an open tunnel through the rock with views out over the water and sandy beach, which you can walk along. In early November it was still too cold for anyone to go in for a swim unless very daring. I paddled a bit further up the coast and was nice enough for that, but definitely an initial shock.

The approach is made along a well finished path with clear signposting and takes about 45 minutes. There is a steep hill and a decent set of steps at the end but quite manageable. Getting to the start of the path is trickier - the nearby parking has all been closed off with permanent barriers. The main option is the large and well signed, large parking lot in the nearby town of Hahei, which is currently being upgraded. From there you can walk to the beach and then along to the path (an additional 25 minutes) or you can take the shuttle bus which leaves from the parking lot roughly every 15 minutes throughout the day and costs $7 each way for an adult. There’s mention of a 10 minute water taxi from the beach to the cove, but I didn’t see any. Some residents nearer the path grant parking in their driveways for $10.

There is a bathroom at the start of the path and looked to be one just off the beach too, but I did not check it out.

The main drawback is that the beach is very busy - while it was pretty I wouldn’t rush back as there are so many lovely beaches around the Coromandel coast with...

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve is in the southern part of Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. On the coast of the mainland it runs from Cook Bluff in the north-west to the northern end of Hahei Beach in the south-east. Its offshore extremes run from Motukorure Island through Waikaranga Island to Okorotere Island and the northern end of Mahurangi Island (Goat Island). It covers an area of 840 hectares (2,100 acres).[1] Part of the marine reserve lies off the Cathedral Cove Recreation Reserve, which runs from the northern end of Hahei Beach in the south-east to beyond Cathedral Cove in the north-west. With attractions such as a natural rock archway and neighbouring beaches at Cathedral Cove, the area is very popular with tourists, and receives around 150,000 visitors per year.[2] The Māori name for Mercury Bay, Te Whanganui-A-Hei (meaning the Great Bay of Hei), refers to Hei, a tohunga from the Te Arawa waka. According to tradition, Hei chose the area around Mercury Bay as home for his tribe, proclaiming ownership by calling Motueka Island "Te Kuraetanga-o-taku-Ihu" (the outward curve of my nose). It is said he made this claim near the present-day town of Hahei.[3] The cave and beach was used as the tunnel through which the Pevensie children first re-enter Narnia in the movie version of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. More recently the cove was used as one of the locations in the music video for the song "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis...