It was one of those golden summer mornings where the sea was too blue to be real and the sun felt like it was on your team. I’d just finished a mug of instant coffee brewed off the tailgate of my van in Hahei, when a local surfer wandered past and said, “You heading to the Cove? Better get moving before the tour mobs show up.”
I had no idea what I was in for.
Thirty minutes later, I was standing beneath a natural archway carved by time and tide – the kind of place that looks like it belongs in a fantasy novel or a shampoo commercial. Cathedral Cove isn’t just beautiful. It’s cinematic. Mythical. The kind of place that makes you whisper, even when no one’s around.
| Location: | Hahei, Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, NZ |
| Difficulty: | Easy–Moderate (some uphill sections) |
| Duration: | 1 hour 40 return (longer if you're beach-lounging) |
| Distance: | 5.7 km return including the walk to the lookout |
| Walk Type: | Out-and-back |
| Elevation: | Approx. 290m total gain |
| Suitable For: | Families, casual walkers, photographers, swimmers |
| Parking: | Cathedral Cove Park & Ride free parking (paid shuttle to the walk start) or walk from the carpark if you have the time and energy. The car park at the beginning of the walk is currently closed. |
| Dogs: | Not allowed – it's part of a marine reserve |
| Toilets: | Yes, at the top carpark and near the beach |
| Mobile Coverage: | Patchy – best to download maps ahead of time |
The Cathedral Cove track begins with a bang – sweeping views back over Hahei Beach and the Mercury Bay. Early on, you’ll pass the Cathedral Cove Lookout, a prime selfie spot if ever there was one. Keep walking and you’ll dip in and out of forested patches, the air heavy with the scent of native bush and salt spray.
There’s something rhythmical about this walk. Cliff-top views, shaded gullies, then another coastal vista that makes you pause mid-step. The final descent to the beach is steep-ish, but well maintained. You’ll hear the waves before you see them.
And then? Boom. You’re there.
Cathedral Cove opens up like a theatre curtain. That giant sea arch you’ve seen on postcards? It’s even bigger in person. To the left, Te Hoho Rock stands like a ghostly ship stranded at sea. To the right, more caves, secret coves, and sunlit patches of sand await.
Let’s be honest. In summer, this walk can feel like a conga line of jandals and selfie sticks. We went in March, this is a great time, less crowds and not so hot. The heat reflects off the cliffs like a sunlamp, and the beach can get busy enough to require a towel placement strategy. Also, the return walk does involve a bit of a slog uphill – nothing too dramatic, but enough to get your heart pumping.
There’s also zero shade on the beach, so pack smart: hat, sunscreen, water. And don’t count on mobile data to help you – it’s patchy at best.
Just before you reach the main beach, there’s a lesser-known side path leading to a tiny, cove-like beach with its own mini-archway. It’s easy to miss, and most people do – but if the tide’s right, it’s your own secret spot. This wasn’t open when we did the walk.
Sure, it’s popular. Sure, it can be crowded. But there’s a reason people flock here. Cathedral Cove feels like nature showing off – dramatic geology, golden sand, and water so clear it feels edited. It’s a walk that rewards every step with something spectacular.
Whether you’re a first-timer or returning for the tenth time, Cathedral Cove never loses its magic. Just remember: it’s not just about the beach at the end – the entire journey is the reward.
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