DOC Community Updates for Cathedral Cove walks and tracks

Cathedral Cove track and walkway is now open

The Cathedral Cove walking track is now open. It was officially reopened on the 1st December 2024 by Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka after being closed since 2023 due to significant damage to the main walking track. 

For information about how to plan your trip and getting to Cathedral Cove go to the Cathedral Cove Explore pages. 

Department of Conservation Cathedral Cove track updates

The Department of Conservation (DOC) assists to manage the Cathedral Cove walkway track and information in this article may be subject to change. For more information you can read the Cathedral Cove and Hahei updates on the DOC website.

Survey Open - DOC community update 14 June 2025

DOC thanks everyone that attended the Mautohe Cathedral Cove community drop-in session held  on the 14th June. DOC is now asking for feedback via its Matutohe Cathedral Cove Community Feedback Survey that will help to inform planning, access, and visitor experience improvements at Mautohe Cathedral Cove. 

• The survey will be open for four weeks and will close on Friday 11th July. 
• Presented at the community drop in sessions - Cathedral Cove Sustainability Project Information Boards 

Community drop-in session in Hahei - DOC community update 4 June 2025

DOC together with Ngāti Hei will be hosting a community drop-in session to share an update on work undertaken since January 2025 to identify long-term access and management approaches for Mautohe Cathedral Cove. Their team will be available to discuss the work with the public at the drop-in session.  The drop in session will be held on Saturday 14th June. 1:00pm-3:00pm at the Hahei Community Centre, 52 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei.

Thanks for support over the busy season - DOC community update 7 March 2025

We’d like to thank the Hahei and wider community for the ongoing support over the busy season so far.  

 Here are a few examples which have contributed to a fantastic summer season:  

• They say it takes a village to achieve great things, we’d like to start by recognising the Hahei community.  Every business owner and resident has a role in keeping visitors informed and happy – thanks for sharing your knowledge and business expertise! 

• A big thank you to the Hahei ambassadors for welcoming and caring for visitors, helping them make their way to Mautohe Cathedral Cove. The more than 6,000 interactions between 21 December to 12 January will have made a big difference for visitors – a friendly face and local intel goes a long way.  

• Hahei Holiday Resort – thank you for supporting our Summer Rangers and processing track waste during the peak season. 

• Cathedral Cove Kayaks – when a patch of bad weather rolled in, they traded paddles for rubbish bags and cleaned up around the Mautohe Cathedral Cove walking track. Ngā mihi mahana.  

Here’s what we’ve seen so far this summer

Over peak summer December-February, DOC employed Summer Rangers to ensure visitors had great experiences and looked after this special place. They played a vital role, not only providing great visitor information they also collected valuable insights on what’s been happening which we’ve summarised below.  

Visitor behaviour 

• On the beach our rangers noted that there was a constant presence of visitors inside the arch.  Some visitors lingered for long periods of time or swam in the ocean while in the arch 

• There was a balance of visitors who were well-prepared with appropriate gear and those who were unprepared for the track's length and elevation. 

• On the other end of the spectrum some visitors overpacked for the walk - observations included the use of trolleys, barbecues, gas bottles, mats, and large chilly bins being brought along.  

Litter 

• Significant litter was collected by track rangers most of the litter was along the track and in toilet cubicles. 

• Those observations tell us that informing visitors of Mautohe Cathedral Cove’s pack-in, pack-out protocols is crucial to looking after this location 

Toilets 

• Positive feedback was given to track rangers about the amenity area at Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail and main walking track. 

• Many visitors were satisfied with toilet cleanliness, this was also represented with high use of the toilets resulting in a higher regularity of tank emptying being required. 

• Amenity area was well used for a rest and refreshment stop for walkers. 

Weather 

• Over the season there has been a mix of poor weather and beautiful beach days.  

• Weather conditions greatly influenced visitor numbers and behaviour. Sunny weather increased both the number of visitors and the time they spent on the beach, ranging from a few hours to an entire day.  

• During heavy rain, despite warnings of rockfall risk, some visitors sheltered under hazardous areas including the arch. 

• High tides reached cliff faces, making the archway impassable at times and leaving little room on the beach.

• We are aware of incidents where visitors misjudged tides resulting in visitors being caught by waves. 

Hahei beach to Grange Road track

This section of track is currently closed due to landslide risk and associated safety issues. In the meantime, we are asking visitors to use the footpath up Grange Road.   There is a recurring problem with closure signs and tape being removed from track access points. We’d like to once again ask the supportive Mercury Bay/Hahei community to keep eye out for people removing “track closed” signs. Please continue to discourage visitors and locals from using closed tracks. 
This is vital to our management of the track network, and ensuring people have a safe and memorable experience at Mautohe Cathedral Cove. 

Temporary Walking Access - DOC update 4 December 2024 

Of the $5 m allocated from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), $1.4m was focused on restoring walking access in time for summer 2024/25.

This access is a temporary solution as more time and resources are needed to design a track that can withstand the area’s weather and unstable geology over the long-term. The temporary reroute may not last through extreme storm events.  

The track sustained significant damage during extreme weather events including cyclones Hale and Gabrielle in Summer 2022-2023. The land needed time to dry out properly before thorough assessments and repairs could begin.  

We worked through a complex set of issues to enable a work programme to be put in place. These included land management responsibilities (land stability and rockfall challenges, health and safety considerations and management of visitor pressure) and treaty settlement requirements. 

Once the work programme and funding were in place, we worked at pace to:

• fulfil heritage and statutory requirements,
• secure contractors,
• remove hazardous trees,
• build the track and facilities,
• develop risk mitigations and signage, and
• put in place a plan for this summer to manage the peak season visitation, including summer rangers to help with traffic management.

Toilets

The funding also included the installation of a four-pan toilet block which, for practical, safety and environmental reasons, could no longer be located on the beach itself. The previous toilets were in a rockfall zone, other locations outside the rockfall zone are within the tidal zone - where human waste poses a risk to the marine environment and reserve.

We have relocated toilets as close to the beach as possible (10-15 minutes’ away). Visitors should plan ahead and use the facilities provided to respect the area’s fragile environment and other visitors.

Visitor safety

The landscape of the Mautohe Cathedral Cove reserve is naturally unstable. There will always be a risk of rockfall and landslides at this site.

We have taken measures, including updating signage and visitor and stakeholder information, to ensure people are aware of the risks and how to keep themselves safe. There may be times, such as heavy rain events, when we need to temporarily close walking access to protect visitors.

We know the most likely areas of instability and have put landslide monitoring tiltmeters on the reserve. This allows us to see in real time if the land is moving during or after weather events, informing our management approach and future infrastructure decisions.  

Longer term walking access

We will work with Ngāti Hei, the community, and stakeholders to identify a long-term solution for access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove and to develop a visitor management plan.

Cathedral Cove track reopens –update 1 December

DOC reopened the Cathedral Cove walking track on the 1st December. 

Please note that the Department of Conservation have advised that the Cathedral Cove walking track is open but the tracks to Stingray Bay and Gemstone Bay are still closed, as is the track from Hahei Beach to the Grange Road track entrance.

On schedule to open –update 29 November 

DOC report they are on schedule for an early December opening of the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track. DOC staff and contractors have been busy working to ensure the track and reserve is ready for visitors. More information to come. 

Work to reinstate walking access is a temporary solution. It may not last through extreme storm events like those which caused the damage and forced the closure – such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

DOC visitor campaign 

To support the track reopening, DOC is undertaking a visitor safety and behaviour campaign to ensure visitors visit safely and responsibly. Alongside planned online adverts and the support of national tourism organisations, and they are asking the community to help share these messages to care for this special place.

You can support this campaign by talking with your visitors about safety and how to care for Mautohe Cathedral Cove. It could be as simple as reminding them to take their rubbish with them, or that there are toilets a 10 min walk from the beach. 

Printed posters and flyers will be available to pick up at the Whitianga iSITE from 5th December.

Work on-site –update 17 October

DOC report they are making good progress on our work to reinstate walking access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove.  

A team from Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust (PFHCCT) and Ngāti Hei field rangers are hard at work reducing pest plants along the track and throughout the reserve. Removing pest plants will give the native species a chance to flourish. 

The involvement of PFHCCT in the Mautohe Cathedral Cove work programme is a great boost for the project, says DOC’s Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director Tinaka Mearns.

“They’ve done some excellent work removing pest plant and tidying up vegetation across the reserve during the last few weeks,” she says. “It’s been hard physical work and we’ve been impressed by the results.

“Involving an organisation like this trust to contribute to walking access reinstatement supports the local community and helps us build a partnership with a recognised conservation contributor in the area.”

The track is still closed

DOC report they are still seeing large numbers of people trying to use the track while work is underway.

Members of the public accessing the track while it is closed are compromising the delivery of the work required to fully reopen it and are entering an active and hazardous worksite. DOC staff and contractors turn away dozens of visitors every day.

DOC are urging the community to share the message that the beach can still be accessed from the sea.

Continued good progress on-site and request to share the message the track is still closed - update 19 September 2024

DOC report that they have made some continued good progress in the initial stages of reinstating walking access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove. 

The contract arborists has finished their work removing hazardous trees, and also carried out some extra tidying up some of the pōhutukawa near the beach. 

DOC report that they know the pōhutukawa are precious and loved by visitors and locals – so these trees have had a careful and considerate prune. 

Other work underway at the site is ground preparation for the installation of four temporary toilets.

DOC are still getting reports of people trying to use the track while work is underway, which is a real concern. They are asking the community to help us share the message the track is closed - and an active worksite – so anyone trying to use it will be asked to turn back. 

Tree Removal as part of track reinstatement work - update 4 September 2024

An arborist contracting for DOC will be felling more than 30 hazardous trees throughout the Cathedral Cove Recreation Reserve.   

The operation is expected to take three weeks, between 5 – 29 September.  

The walking track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove remains closed to the public due to damage and the track reinstatement work.

While work is underway, the reserve will be an active worksite with associated hazards. Entering the reserve could result in serious injury and may lead to delays in the work programme.  

The Lees Road Carpark will be closed to the public, as well as access to McHands Lookout. 

Visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove remains a marine-only experience until December 2024.

Carpark closure to allow for Mautohe Cathedral Cove work - update 3 September 2024 

Last week, DOC announced the start of physical work at the famous cove, with arborists set to remove dozens of hazardous and exotic trees.

The Lees Road car park near Mautohe Cathedral Cove will be closed to the public while walking access reinstatement work is underway.

The Lees Road car park is on private land, and the landowner has traditionally allowed visitors to access neighbouring public conservation land from the location.

With arborists on site from this week, DOC and the adjacent landowner have agreed to close the Lees Road car park until further notice.

The landowners support the temporary closure of the car park, which will be part of a wider active worksite for the walking access reinstatement.

The closure means the McHand’s Lookout Track will be off-limits to the public for the next few months while walking access to the cove is reinstated. McHand’s Lookout has been an alternative visitor option while the walking track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove has been closed.

Te Pare Pa remains open to the public and is not impacted by this closure.

Visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove is a marine-only experience, and visitors are strongly urged to stay out of the recreation reserve while walking access reinstatement is completed.

Tree Removal Marks the Beginning of Track Reinstatement at Mautohe Cathedral Cove - update 29 August 2024

The removal of hazardous trees and self-sown wilding pines has initiated the physical work to reinstate temporary walking access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove’s iconic beach. The track to the popular beach has been closed to the public since February 2023, following extensive damage from extreme weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle. The Department of Conservation (DOC) deemed the track unsafe for typical visitors.

DOC currently has two work programs underway at Mautohe Cathedral Cove, funded through the International Visitor Levy. One program focuses on reinstating temporary walking access to the cove for this summer, while the other aims to determine a long-term visitor access and management strategy for the site.

Tinaka Mearns, DOC’s Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director, announced that arborists will be on-site next week to begin an estimated three weeks of work. This will involve the removal of more than 30 trees of various species, including she-oak, pinaster, and wilding pines.

Mearns emphasized the importance of this work, stating, "Removing these trees and other pest plants supports weed management and biodiversity restoration goals for Mautohe Cathedral Cove. However, the area is now an active work site with significant hazards, so we strongly urge the public to stay out of the reserve while contractors are operating. Please follow our clear advice and do not use the track. Entering the closed track during the tree felling operation could result in serious injury and may delay the work program."

Access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove will remain marine-only until December.

Cathedral Cove Project Lead, Tania Short, highlighted the importance of mobilizing efforts to protect Mautohe Cathedral Cove and restore its mauri (life essence) as part of the ongoing visitor management planning for this iconic site. She noted that as a coastal location, Mautohe Cathedral Cove faces greater challenges with rockfalls and landslides than many other areas.

“Mautohe Cathedral Cove is vital to the regional economy, and if we manage and protect it, everyone will benefit. But we must do that in a sustainable way,” Short explained.

DOC Cathedral Cove update 10 July

Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka today announced distribution of International Visitor Levy funding – including $5 million to build, open and maintain overland walking access to Cathedral Cove.

The track to the globally famous beach was extensively damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, leading to a decision to keep it closed until land had stabilised and an appropriate repair could be confirmed.

Tinaka Mearns, DOC’s Regional Director for Hauraki Waikato and Taranaki, says after assessment of several options, DOC is opting for a temporary walking access reinstatement solution which will see the track available to visitors for summer 2024/25.

“Last summer visitors surveyed rated the marine-based experience to Mautohe Cathedral Cove as one of the best offered to a DOC-managed site,” Tinaka says.

“Reinstating walking access enables DOC to further support local businesses and the community while working towards more sustainable and careful management of the site. This will be complimented with ongoing work, over the next 12-18 months, to develop a long-term visitor management solution.”

Tinaka Mearns - Department of Conservation Regional Director Hauraki Waikato and Taranaki

Tinaka says finding a way to traverse the worst landslide on the track has been a challenge. Undamaged sections of the track will be reconnected via a new boardwalk and steps across a section of land that is more stable than other potential reroutes. Steps at the bottom of the track, where it reaches the beach, will also be rebuilt.

“We know the community is keen to see reinstatement occur as soon as possible, but we need to factor in ground conditions, weather, and tendering and procurement processes before physical work can begin,” she says.

Visitor Risk mitigations

As well as the physical work at site to reinstate walking access, DOC will be introducing visitor risk mitigations to ensure safety of people walking the track. Those mitigations may include advising people not to use the track when weather or geotechnical-related risks are considered too high.

“A level of risk will always be present at this site – landslides and rockfalls will continue to be an ongoing feature of the landscape,” Tinaka says.

“Under-pinning the decision making and approaches we’re taking is the need to manage risk for the most prominent type of “day trip” visitor at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.”

The popular Grange Rd carpark in Hahei will remain closed while DOC works through the practicalities of public access to the reserve. The carpark received significant surface/foundation damage, slumping and cracking, through extreme weather events and heavy vehicle use. High level design and investment is required to mitigate these factors.

Temporary Solution

Tinaka says the reinstatement option chosen only presents a temporary walking access solution and may not last through extreme storm events like those which caused the damage and forced the closure – such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We will be doing some more work on a longer-term solution to develop a visitor management plan, and consultation with the community and stakeholders will be part of that work,” she says.

The planned visitor management work is supported by mana whenua Ngāti Hei, who previously voiced concerns about the high level of tourism impacting Mautohe Cathedral Cove and the risk to visitors.

Tinaka thanked stakeholders including Thames-Coromandel District Council, Destination Hauraki Coromandel and those who’ve contributed feedback to DOC’s recent consultation process on reinstatement options.

Tinaka says DOC understands the track closure has been a frustrating situation for local residents and businesses.

“We want to thank them for their patience. We’ve had to work through a complex set of overlapping issues to reach this point.”

29th May

The Department of Conservation have a public survey open and are collecting feedback. You may share your feedback on the reinstatement options. The survey will remain open until June 21 and is anonymous.

Survey link here

16 May

Two community 'drop-in' sessions will be held on Saturday 25th May and hosted by the Department of Conservation. The sessions will allow attendees to read information on the walking access reinstatement options being considered and talk to DOC staff about what those options entail.

Two community drop-in sessions will be held in:

Whitianga - 9.30am - 12pm
The Mercury Bay Community Boardroom 
– 10 Monk St, Whitianga

Hahei - 2.00 - 4.30pm 
The Hahei Community Hall
– 52 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei.

People attending the drop-in sessions can also respond to a DOC survey on reinstatement options. Those who cannot attend the drop-in sessions can email cathedralcove@doc.govt.nz to provide feedback. 

Feedback from the public will be included in decision-making processes.

30 April - three walking track options

Over the last few months, the Department of Conservation (DOC) have been gathering and analysing information needed to inform the possible options to reinstate walking access to Cathedral Cove.

We’ve examined long-term and short-term options – work guided by the legislation we operate within, the values and cultural heritage of Ngāti Hei, as well as what can be practically achieved at the site.

We need to balance the impact of visitor tourism, the economic value of that tourism, the costs and benefits of the options, and the likely impact of climate change at a coastal site where land movement has been an issue for some time.

Department of Conservation website update

Attached at the end of this article, is a presentation which explains the options that are being considered and explored by DOC. This is part of their wider engagement work with the Coromandel community which continues over the coming weeks.

Three options being considered for walking track

According to information provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC), three options are currently under consideration for walking access to the beach. One option entails a short-term solution, involving the construction of new steps and a boardwalk to reinstate a section of the existing track. The other two options are long-term repairs that would require significant investment and the installation of new infrastructure, including potentially cantilevered staircase and steps to the beach. Consequently, these long-term options would necessitate more time for design, procurement, and completion.

In addition to these primary options, alternative approaches are being explored as part of the development process. This includes considering visitor entry points from the Hahei Short Walk, optimising an existing entrance at Grange Road, and assessing the feasibility of access over adjacent farmland.

The preservation of Ngāti Hei values is being prioritised as DOC evaluates these options. Furthermore, alignment with various conservation legislation and community perspectives is being taken into account, presenting opportunities for collaboration while acknowledging the need for compromise.

DOC aims to balance various factors, including costs and investment risk, resilience against future weather events, and mitigating environmental and social impacts on what has historically been a heavily visited site.

Community Engagement in Progress

The Department of Conservation (DOC), community engagement efforts are currently underway to gather insights and perspectives for Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

Over the coming months, a series of initiatives are planned to facilitate engagement:

• Stakeholder engagement sessions
• A community survey
• A community drop-in session

These activities aim to involve partners, stakeholders, and the community in the decision-making process. Collaboration with Ngāti Hei is central to these efforts, with proactive engagement with identified key stakeholders preceding broader community feedback.

DOC says it is dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships and maximising opportunities for community participation. Close coordination with Thames-Coromandel District Council and Destination Hauraki Coromandel is prioritised to ensure that community voices are heard and considered.

5 April 2024

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is currently engaged in developing a sustainable solution for reopening walking access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove. Given the landscape's susceptibility to landslides and rockfalls, the primary focus is on ensuring the track's safe reopening in a practical manner.

Based on the Tonkin + Taylor 2023 report, which employed DOC's Natural Hazard Risk Analysis methodology, recommendations were made to review the site and explore feasible risk reduction measures. The ongoing review process encompasses several key aspects:

• Landslide predictive modeling: This assesses the future resilience of the land.
• Geotechnical monitoring: To determine the stabilization status of the land and assess remaining risks, particularly after the exceptionally wet conditions experienced in 2023.
• Identification of options for resilient walking track access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove beach.
• Development of practical visitor risk mitigations.

Progress Made This Year:

In February, a summer visitor experience survey was conducted with the support of Ngāti Hei, providing valuable insights into visitor perceptions. In March, a site assessment was conducted by DOC, Ngāti Hei, and technical experts to explore access and infrastructure options, with further investigations pending. A new landslide predictive model was commissioned in March, indicating a high likelihood of future landslides under different storm conditions. Community engagement efforts, supported by Ngāti Hei, Thames-Coromandel District Council, and Destination Hauraki Coromandel, are currently underway.

Upcoming Developments:

Geotechnical monitoring results are expected by June 2024. Feasibility assessments for resilient walking access options are due to be presented to the Minister by June 2024. High Satisfaction Levels from 2024 Visitor Survey:

Visitor Survey results are in

The 2024 visitor survey results reveal remarkably high levels of satisfaction with Mautohe Cathedral Cove, despite the track closure. Key findings from the survey, conducted from January 27th to February 29th, include:

• Mautohe Cathedral Cove maintains its status as a top New Zealand visitor destination.
• Overall satisfaction with the experience is rated the highest among all DOC-managed destinations in the country.
• The method of accessing the Cove, currently limited to boat or kayak, does not significantly impact visitor satisfaction.
• Scenery and landscapes are cited as the primary attractions for visitors.
• Facilities and services, particularly water transport frequency and safety information, received high ratings.

Community Engagement Initiatives:

Community information sessions, stakeholder updates, and surveys are being conducted to gather input and ensure widespread participation in decision-making processes.

Collaboration with Ngāti Hei, Thames-Coromandel District Council, and Destination Hauraki Coromandel is ongoing to facilitate community involvement and support.

The timeline and approach for future developments are subject to change as options are evaluated and community engagement progresses. Stay tuned for further updates.

1 March

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirms that the reinstatement of the walking access to Cathedral Cove before the summer of 2024/25 is a priority.

It’s clear we need to make sure visitors can once again safely and fully enjoy one of the country's iconic locations – and DOC staff have made this a priority, ideally, we want safe walking access to the beach reinstated and our ambition is to have it ready for visitors next summer. 

Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei is a crucial part of Coromandel’s tourism economy and reinstating walking access to it will help get the district back on track. I expect to receive advice from officials by the end of June on the reinstatement options. Assuming there is a safe option for public walking access, I want to see the mahi procured and underway ahead of summer.

There are some further conversations to be had with Ngāti Hei, the Coromandel community and our stakeholders in the district about how this work is resourced and supported. In its present condition the track is not safe for visitors – and DOC is focussed on finding a resilient solution which will give visitors the chance to again walk to this majestic place.

Hon Tama Potaka - Minister Conservation

26 January 2024

Community Engagement Initiates

DOC have commenced community engagement activities, utilising three distinct surveys aimed at gathering feedback from visitors, residents, and local businesses. This engagement process is crucial in understanding public sentiments towards Cathedral Cove, identifying preferred options, and assessing the likelihood of success.

Visitor Survey Launching 27th January

Starting from January 27th and extending until mid-February, the Department of Conservation (DOC) will be conducting a comprehensive visitor survey for Cathedral Cove.

This survey is open to all Cathedral Cove visitors and serves the purpose of gauging their expectations, contributing valuable insights to shape the future visitor experience. Trained DOC staff will be stationed at either Hahei Beach or the Whitianga Wharf throughout the survey period. They will approach visitors disembarking from water transport from Cathedral Cove, inviting them to complete a brief questionnaire after their visit.

The questionnaire is a slightly modified version of DOC's Short Walk/Day Hike questionnaire, previously administered at Cathedral Cove during four summer seasons (2017-2021). The aggregated results will be made publicly available.

Doc would like to extend their gratitude to local marine operators for providing information on their schedules during the Auckland Anniversary weekend. This ensures our ability to intercept as many visitors as possible upon their return from Cathedral Cove.

Residents' and Business Survey

Residents and businesses can anticipate receiving more details about local engagement and feedback opportunities starting from February. Stay tuned for ways to share your perspectives on the future of Cathedral Cove.

January 2024

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has implemented visitor arrangements for the Cathedral Cove/Hahei area for summer 2023/24 as part of an effort to support the Coromandel tourism economy. These measures are in place while the walking track to Cathedral Cove beach remains closed for safety reasons.

DOC's summer offer for the Cathedral Cove/Hahei area is designed to distribute walking visitors across various sites, including Hereheretaura and Te Pare, Grange Road Lookout, and a loop track from the Lees Road Car Park to McHand's Lookout, located to the north of Cathedral Cove.

Cathedral Cove Beach Access

In the summer of 2023-24, Cathedral Cove itself will provide a marine-based experience, with several commercial operators offering services that include brief stays on the beach. The international marketing of Cathedral Cove emphasises this marine-based experience.

Both DOC and Ngāti Hei continue to advise against using the walking track down to Cathedral Cove, emphasising its unsafe condition and confirming that it will not be reinstated for summer 2023-24. Barriers will be in place to prevent access, and visitors are urged not to proceed beyond them. Geotechnical experts have identified a high risk associated with using the track compared to similar locations managed by DOC.

What you need to know when visiting Cathedral Cove

The Cathedral Cove Walk track is currently closed. The only access to the area is by boat.

There are significant risks associated with high rockfall and landslides in the vicinity, as indicated in the image provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

For those who choose to visit the area, it is strongly advised to adhere to the following precautions:

• Maintain a safe distance of 10 metres from the cliffs at all times.
• Avoid the beach during or after heavy rainfall, as the risk of rockfalls and landslides is highest during these conditions. It's crucial to note that such incidents can also occur in good weather.
• Refrain from standing or walking under the cove's arch, as rockfalls have occurred in this area and may happen again.
• Stay off tracks within the vicinity.
• Exercise caution regarding falling rocks at the north-western end of the beach at Stingray Bay – this specific area is closed.

If individuals are uncomfortable with the associated risks, it is recommended to view the area from a boat rather than landing on the beach, or consider not visiting the area altogether.

Furthermore, it is essential to be aware of the rapid and unpredictable changes in weather conditions that are characteristic of this location. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather shifts and plan accordingly.

Alternative walking options at Cathedral Cove

An update on visitor experiences in Hahei includes the creation of alternative experiences near Cathedral Cove, ensuring that visitors to Coromandel can still appreciate the beauty of the coastline. These experiences, developed through collaboration between DOC, Ngāti Hei, and operators, encourage visitors to explore other beaches and walks in the Mercury Bay area, specifically targeting day trip visitors.

Improvements to existing tracks and the creation of new routes to culturally significant sites, such as historic pa Hereheretaura and Te Pare, have been undertaken. Tiaki Rangers, employed by DOC, caution visitors about the ongoing safety risk at Cathedral Cove while providing information on other nearby coastal walking locations and sharing Ngāti Hei cultural stories.

Parking for Cathedral Cove

The Grange Road platform in Hahei offers sweeping views across the Mercury Islands and Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve. It will serve as a drop-off-only location with no parking options, and pedestrians can access the Grange Road lookout point. Seating and picnic areas have been established, and traffic flows will be monitored collaboratively by DOC and Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Lees Road Access to Cathedral Cove Lookout (McHands Lookout)

A new loop track to McHand's Lookout has been completed, accessed via the Lees Road carpark. This 90-minute return track provides expansive views over Te Whanganui-O-Hei Marine Reserve and the greater Mercury Bay.