If you plan a detour on the Coromandel peninsula, do not miss the highlight of Cathedral Cove: a beautiful walk down to the beach, a huge arch and a pinnacle. Definitively worth the trip!
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - CATHEDRAL COVE
Just a short drive from Auckland, the coromandel peninsula offers subtropical native forest, pristine beaches and interesting ocean features. I could have stayed my 2 whole weeks discovering it. But with only one day my visit focused on 2 of its highlights. One of which was Cathedral Cove, an isolated beach with a huge arch and a rocky pinnacle (and the other was hot water beach).
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
Getting to Cathedral cove
- The Coromandel is located on the Pacific Coast Highway – on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island
- It is within 1h30 from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and their international airports.
- Cathedral cove is located at the end of Grange Road at Hahei. Follow the sign, turn left just past the Hahei shops
Visiting Cathedral cove
- Walking at leasury pace, the round tour can be done in 1h30 min. However keep in mind that the last part to the beach is quite steep and hard on the knees
For information on what to see, where to eat and more, check out the official Coromandel website
The Cathedral Cove walk
I really enjoyed the 45 min walk with coastal views and forest to reach the amazing sight of Cathedral Cove. It felt good to be back in nature, walk in a magnificent forest. The formations made by erosion are similar to a place I love near where I grew up called Etretat. But the fact that this one is so secluded, that you discover it after a walk like a ‘treasure hunt’, makes it very special.
First beach
At the end of the hike, you arrive on a first beach, which is has nothing special… until you turn around.
Cathedral Cove: The Arch
But then you turn around and there it is, the big Rock Arch and the ‘tower’!
Cathedral Cove: The pinnacle
And on the other side of the Arch is the pinnacle. Beautiful, ones and massive.
Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?
Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online New Zealand Travel Guide.
Where is your favorite beach?
The last reflection shot is superb! Never heard of hot water beach. Looks good! Sounds like an exciting vacation.
Thank you. I saw this reflection on my way to the beach and when I realized I would not have anything interesting there, I run back to that tree!
Ah lucky you! It was just me and my BF at Hot Water Beach and I think you definitely need a big group to stake a spot and dig a hole – we didn’t really manage it. I was also surprised at how freaking SCALDING the water was.
LOL. Yes it was nice to see them do all the work. Yes the water is scalding as you said.