Experiencing Cathedral Cove this 2023/24 Summer

Cathedral Cove and the adjacent Hahei coastal area were severely impacted by the extreme weather events of summer 2022-23, including Cyclone Gabrielle.

The extreme weather events caused landslides and rockfall, and significant damage to the main track to the Cathedral Cove beach, which as a result has been closed.

Land base access onto Cathedral Cove beach is via a trip with the Hahei Explorer, Cathedral Cove Kayak or the water taxi. Guided tours of the area via sea are available with many local operators.

Alternative visitor experiences have been created near Cathedral Cove to ensure visitors can still experience the beauty of the coastline. These have been enabled by collective work of DOC, Ngāti Hei and operators. The work done includes improvements to existing tracks, and new routes to sites considered culturally significant to local iwi. This provides the added benefit of providing cultural stories to enrich the visitor experience which is supported DOC's Tiaki Rangers who will share Ngāti Hei cultural stories about the area.

 

Local walking track updates and viewing points:

  • Download the 2024 Hahei Heritage Walks map
  • Grange Rd in Hahei will give sweeping views across the Mercury Islands and Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve.
  • Grange Rd will be a drop-off only location – there will be no short, medium, or long-term vehicle parking.
  • Pedestrians can walk up to the Grange Rd lookout point. Seating and picnic areas have been created.
  • Work has also been completed to add a loop track to McHand’s Lookout. The loop track crosses private property, and connects to Lees Road and DOC land to the north of Cathedral Cove. This look-out – also giving expansive views over Mercury Bay - forms part of a 90-minute walk from the Lees Rd carpark. 

Points to note:

  • There are no toilets on the beach
  • Take food and water, and carry out all your rubbish - no shops or bins down here!
  • Stay away from the cliffs - there is a risk of landslide or rockfall
  • Do not stand in or walk under the cove’s arch
  • Stay off the tracks in the area and access the cove by water only
  • Boaties and kayakers, check weather and sea conditions before departure