Cathedral Cove

Celebrated Cathedral Cove Mautohe on the Coromandel Peninsula is an excellent thing to do near Whitianga. 

Cathedral Cove Mautohe  can be accessed by water (boat or water taxi) or walking track. Please see the information below to assist you to plan your trip to this special place. 

Key points to know

Access to Cathedral Cove and surrounding tracks may be subject to change due to maintenance, weather events, track damage and seasonal variations. For the latest updates on access to Cathedral Cove Mautohe visit the Department of Conservation website.

Download the PDFs at the bottom of this page for - general information, parking maps, planning your trip and safety information. 

Cathedral Cove track walking duration -Depending on your level of fitness and the pace you walk – and how long you spend on the beach - it’ll take about 90 minutes return from the Grange Road entrance. Note you will need to plan your transport as there is no parking at the track entrance. 

The track has stairs and steep sections. It needs moderate to good fitness, plus sturdy footwear. It can be very hot in summer and there is no running water available; bring lots of water and sun protection. Visiting by boat is a good alternative if you do not want to consider the walk. .

Accessibility - While the walking track contains stairs and steep sections, you can view or reach the cove by water. Some commercial boat operators offer accessible tours.

Toilets - are not available on the beach: There are toilets at the start of the track at Grange Road, and a new flushable toilet facility is located about 10-15 minutes from the end of the track.

Pack in, pack out - there are no rubbish bins, you must take all rubbish away with you.

Visitor safety - rockfalls and landslides occur frequently at Mautohe Cathedral Cove and other parts of this coastline, as the landscape is naturally unstable. These could cause serious injury or death. The risk is highest during or after heavy rain, but there can still be landslides and rockfall in good weather. To reduce the risk the Department of Conservation advises the following:

• If you do want to go under the arch then move quickly through it. Do not stop under the arch.
• Stay back from the shadow of the cliffs.
• Do not visit during or after heavy rain.
• The beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Take care in and around the water.

Cathedral Cove Key Summer Messages from DOC

The Department of Conservation (DOC) have provided the following key messages that it would like shared with visitors to Cathedral Cove Mautohe over summer 2025-2026. 

Respect for place 

• Mautohe Cathedral Cove is a zero-waste experience.
• What you bring in you must take away with you.
• Even small food scraps left behind have an impact.
• Please use the provided toilets. We want to keep this place great for everyone.
• Graffiti damages how natural this place feels. Please do not do this.
• We must ensure future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty.
• Thank you for respecting this place. 

Ngāti Hei 

• This location is of special significance to Ngāti Hei - the indigenous people of this area.
• Ngāti Hei have a cultural responsibility to protect Mautohe.
• Your care and respect for this place supports and shows respect for Ngāti Hei. 

Marine Reserve 

• The Cove and beach are part of Te Whanganui o Hei Marine Reserve.
• Marine reserves are designed to protect and restore the marine life. This means you should see more marine life around; however, it also means you can’t take any fish or seafood.
• Water activities are a great way to check out the marine life. 

Staying safe 

• The Cathedral Cove Reserve landscape is unstable
• Landslides and rockfalls can occur - sitting close to the cliffs is not recommended.
• Rockfalls can also occur in the archway so we recommend you don’t linger in the archway. 

What you need to have a good experience 

• It can get very hot on the track and at the Cove. We recommend you bring drinking water, a hat, and sun protection. There is no drinking water supplied.
• The walk to the beach is harder than many people expect. We recommend you wear walking shoes.
• The waves can reach the cliffs at high tide. Visiting at mid to low tide means you will have more beach available to enjoy.
• If you stay overnight and explore the area, visit at low tide for the best experience. 

Donations 

• All donations collected here will be reinvested into environmental outcomes.
• This includes planting of the walking track in native species, so that the walk is shaded, and removing pest species. 

Transport Options to Cathedral Cove Mautohe

Plan your transport ahead of time to get the best out of your visit. To get to Cathedral Cove there are walking options across land, and also access by water options – including commercial water taxi, kayaks and boats tours.

By Walking Track

Download the parking options on the PDF at the bottom of this page. 

Note there is no parking available at the Grange Road track entrance - drop off and pick up area only. Excellent scenic lookout at this site. 

Free parking is available at the Hahei Visitor Carpark on Pa Road, at the village entrance. From here, visitors can walk or catch a shuttle bus to the Grange Road track entrance (summer period).

Paid parking is available at the Cathedral Cove Gateway Trail, 150 Lees Road. From here you can take the private farm walk to the main Mautohe Cathedral Cove track.

The Cathedral Cove Park & Ride summer shuttle - to reduce the volume of motor traffic through Hahei village and Grange Road, there will be a shuttle operating from the Hahei Visitor Carpark to the Grange Road track entrance this summer.

By Boat 

Leave from Whitianga by boat or banana boat on a scenic tour to Cathedral Cove.

Scenic Tours Adventure

Cathedral Cove Water Taxi

Leaves from the beach in front of Hahei carpark to Cathedral Cove every 30 minutes. Look for yellow and black flags which mark the pick up and drop off points. Note the taxi does not operate during rough weather.

Water Taxi

Kayak

Paddle to Cathedral Cove in a sea kayak.

Alert: The Cathedral Cove walking track 

DOC advise that people need to inform themselves properly about any risks before visiting this site.