Overview
Cathedral Cove is named after the amazing rock archway located on the beach in the Te Whanganui-A-Hei (The Big Bay of Hei) Marine Reserve. The area receives around 200,000 visitors per year.
You can visit Cathedral Cove by walking 45min, boat or kayak. When going to Cathedral Cove DO NOT stand close to the cliffs or pause underneath the famous archway as there is a high risk of rockfall.
There is no parking at the beginning of the Cathedral Cove track between 1 October and 30 April each year. If you are wanting to do the walk you must park at the Hahei Visitor Carpark and take the Cathedral Cove Park & Ride.
Cathedral Cove Park & Ride
- Operates from 1 October to 30 April each year
- The route goes from Hahei Visitor Carpark - Hahei General Store - Cathedral Cove Lookout and return.
- Runs continuously from 9am to 6pm every day, and you shouldn't have to wait any longer than 15mins.
- The cost is Adults $7 return and children (14 years and under) are free.
- Tickets are purchased 3 ways:
- Using a credit or debit card at the ticket machine in the Hahei Visitor Car Park
- Cash to the driver.
- On the Cathedral Cove Park & Ride Website
- You only need to purchase tickets on the day.
The Trail
The trail takes approx. 45min to walk consisting of one uphill and two down hills on the way there, and around 200 steps. It is paved the entire way. The end of the trail was damaged in the 2023 cyclones but has now been rebuilt and is open to the public. Please note there is no toilet, water or rubbish bins at Cathedral Cove. The last toilet before descending to the Cove is halfway along the track. Please take enough water with you and do not leave anything behind.
Mares Leg Cove
Named for another rock archway that looked like the hind leg of a horse "Mare" - pictured below. In April 1978 a large storm knocked it over with only the underwater rocks now remaining.
At the eastern end of the Cove is a waterfall.
In the middle of the Cove sitting in the water is what is called the Smiling Sphinx Rock. A Sphinx head can be seen looking towards the Cathedral archway.
Another flatter rock sits 60m off shore which is great for jumping off at high tide.
Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is to the west of the archway. You can access Cathedral Cove easier at low tide as the beach space is limited at high tide.
Te Hoho Rock is the famous sea stack seen through the Cathedral Archway. Cathedral Cove is one of the most iconic and photographed places in New Zealand.
History
In c1350 AD the Te Arawa Waka arrives and Hei settles his people in Te O ā Hei (Hahei). This was the creation of the Ngāti Hei ("People of Hei"). As the tribe grew they expanded around Te Whanganui-A-Hei (The Big Bay of Hei) and created many Pā ("strongholds").
The Māori name for Cathedral Cove is Mautohe "a place to come and debate". The Ngāti Hei would gather on the Pā above the Cathedral Archway to discuss matters concerning the bay.
The HMB Endeavour sailed into Te Whanganui-A-Hei on Friday, 3rd November 1769 CE. Upon seeing the archway Captain James Cook thought it looked like a Cathedral roof and so gave it its English name.
