Must visit in New Zealand - Cathedral Cove
One of New Zealand's most popular beaches and one of my favorite places on the North Island is Cathedral Cove. The Maori call this beautiful place 'Te Whanganui-A-Hei'.
Factoid: Did you know: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, Te Whanganui- A-Hei, covers 9 square kilometers and is New Zealand's sixth marine reserve.
Cathedral Cove is a marine reserve located on The Coromandel peninsula.
To get to this gem of a spot you have to walk a track. The beach is only accessible by a 30-minute walk from the nearest car-park.
Walking the track is a joy in itself as you pass by some wild and rugged bush settings and spots along the route where you are offered an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. Take your camera with you!
Along the track, you wind your way through native bush and past stunning cliff faces. After 30 minutes of moderate exercise, you will eventually end up on this gorgeous stretch of pristine New Zealand beach.
If you head down the track in summer you will no doubt be hot and stuffy after walking the track - perfect time and place to get into your swimming gear and take a dip in the cool blue ocean waters - there is a big rock to swim out to and jump off. Its a popular spot but there is always plenty of room to relax on the beach, enjoy the sunshine or shade under the beautiful Pohutakawa trees.
Top things to do while you are visiting the area:
- Do the Hahei Beach Walk
- Experience a Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruise
- Take an organized Kayak Tour
- Take the Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour
- Go on the Cathedral Cove Water Taxi
- Go adventure and do the Dive & Snorkel
- Do a tour with the Glass Bottom Boat in Whitianga
- Explore the numerous caves with Sea Cave Adventures
- Relax at the The Lost Spring
- Dig a hole at Hot Water Beach and enjoy the warm water
This is a must visit for anyone travelling over to New Zealand!
Reminds me of Natural Bridges beach. Very nice, thanks for the pointers.
Santa Cruz, CA
Drop me a note if you're ever here in NZ... well grab a beer ;)
Beautiful photos! I have not been there before but the pictures look very similar and remind me of the White cliffs walkway. It is a loop track which you walk over farmland at the top of the cliff and return (only at low tide) along the beach. Just as beautiful.
(Not my photo; Credit)
... this one is going on my to-walk list, thank you
Beautiful photos what a nice place to visit
From a fellow Kiwi...great info and photo's. The cove was also featured in an opening scene in the The Lion the witch and the wardrobe series of movies, recognized it straight away. Sorry to say I have not been down to tread the sands...on my "to do" list. We need more marine reserves like this. Thanks for bringing this to Steemit :)
How cool is it that New Zealand is the 'go to' country for many movie sets - good for the economy and recognition of our country internationally. Thanks for dropping a comment.
Just wanted to share a few observations for anyone planning a trip to the cove. It's a great place, fantastic beaches and the cove itself is spectacular. However, on the way there are a couple of other smaller coves, one with a diving / snorkeling trail so be prepared and take some gear with you, for hire in Hahei at the group of shops near the beach.
If you are on a clock or don't fancy the walk, the water ferry is a hassle free way to transit there and back.
The walk from the beach access is a nice scenic start before you get to the trail proper.
I would also recommend the kayak tour, especially if the water is calm.
Enjoy
A awesome place to be. Hopefully i will have the chance to visit this country in the future...I would definitely walk this trak and also visit the amazing forests of NewZealand!
I see you are into nature and photography! New Zealand is the place to be for that... I need to remind myself often of the fact that it is a privilege to live here and to appreciate it fully - otherwise you take things for granted.
My brother was in NZ, rented a motorcycle for a month. I am truly jealous, Bucket list.
Nice, touring NZ on a motorbike is the way to go. Hope you can make it over here soon... thanks for the comment
This looks gorgeous. Thanks for sharing
Yes its one of the many magical places in New Zealand, thanks for your comment
Some great scenery there! Bet there is good metal detecting. I followed :)
My brother is into metal detecting, he would be all over this place. All those people loosing small change: Ka-ching!
Yeah us beach hunters will take the change, but we are really after the gold jewelry!
beautiful! :-)