Cathedral Cove Walk
Cathedral Cove Walk, Hahei: Address, Cathedral Cove Walk Reviews: 4.5/5
Cathedral Cove Walk
Cathedral Cove Walk
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Top ways to experience Cathedral Cove Walk
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10 within 5 kms
The Pour House
885
0.7 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Brew Pub • Bar
Hahei Beach Cafe
353
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • New Zealand
The Church Bistro
449
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • European • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
Costal Co-Op
11
0.8 km$ • Dessert • Pizza • Fast food
The Ice Cream Shop
3
0.8 kmDessert • Fast food
Serial Griller
55
1.2 km$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast food
Purangi Winery Pizzeria
351
4.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • Wine Bar
Mercury Bay Estate Winery & Restaurant
38
4.6 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
The Hive
24
4.6 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Fusion Juice
28 m$ • Contemporary • Fusion • Healthy
Attractions
16 within 10 kms
Hahei Beach Walk
327
0.3 kmBeaches
Stingray Bay
18
0.6 kmBodies of Water
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi
74
0.8 kmFerries
Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve
201
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Scenic Walking Areas
Purangi Estate Limited
100
4.4 kmWineries & Vineyards
Mercury Bay Museum
194
Speciality Museums
Hot Water Beach
1,598
Beaches • Hot Springs & Geysers
Te Pare Historic Reserve
13
1.8 kmNational Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Mercury Bay Estate
262
4.5 kmWineries & Vineyards
Whitianga i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
200
Visitor Centres
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
2,411 reviews
Excellent
1,770
Very good
524
Average
82
Poor
27
Terrible
8
Lucinda J
893 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Beautiful walk so many stunning viewpoints to admire the scenario my and the beautiful cathedral cove to end it. One not to be missed
Written 10 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rhonda F
Matamata, New Zealand14 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
This review is mainly for the Hahei shuttle bus which takes you to the top of the road, to the start if the walkway.
Gary our Irish bus driver made the short trip pleasant and informative. He is very accommodating and because we were the only ones on the van coming back, he dropped us of at the main beach.
The bus (or van for smaller numbers) is $7 return trip and runs frequently throughout the day. It is worth paying for the trip as you don't want to be walking up steep road way in the heat of summer.
In the winter months you can drive up and park your car in the top car park but you will still need to pay $15 to park there.
I think the shuttle bus is a great idea and you are helping the local economy. 😉
Gary our Irish bus driver made the short trip pleasant and informative. He is very accommodating and because we were the only ones on the van coming back, he dropped us of at the main beach.
The bus (or van for smaller numbers) is $7 return trip and runs frequently throughout the day. It is worth paying for the trip as you don't want to be walking up steep road way in the heat of summer.
In the winter months you can drive up and park your car in the top car park but you will still need to pay $15 to park there.
I think the shuttle bus is a great idea and you are helping the local economy. 😉
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cara D
Hamilton, New Zealand12 contributions
Jan 2021
It was definately a lot further of a walk than we expected but it was so beautiful down there it felt well worth it. Just make sure you take some water with you!
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
stumblethru
Melbourne, Australia70 contributions
Jul 2021
It's a bit of a hike to get down there and back, make sure you bring water and wear good shoes. We walked from the township so it was probably a good hour to get down there. Try to pace yourself to get back up as it's pretty steep in some parts. But don't miss it whatever you do - the views on the way down and once you get there are stunning.
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Leorah K
Lewiston, ID53 contributions
Nov 2020
The walk was longer than expected so make sure you bring some good walking shoes. But it was so pretty once we got down there! Kind of surreal! Feels like your in the movie.
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Liz C
Auckland, New Zealand66 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Great walk...tiring on the inclines...used a makeshift walking stick. Worth it when you get there. Great exercise and picture taking opportunities. 🤩😁
Written 27 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand390 contributions
May 2021
Great on a beautiful day. Such a lovely cove. We walked from the car park in Hahei and its a long walk but lovely scenery. Hahei beach is beautiful too. Dont recommend wearing jandels on the walk as there are stairs, uneven surfaces etc. Take you time and it is really pleasant. Saw one lady with a baby buggy and she was struggling. From the top car park it is mainly sealed path but has some brutal stairs at the end.
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
g n
Auckland Central, New Zealand400 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
The walk is paved but undulating. Our 7 year old managed fine. The scenery is beautiful, including Cathedral Cove. Highly recommended
Written 29 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrew & Marie
Christchurch, New Zealand44 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Absolutely brilliant walk to a even more breath taking beach!!!
At the bottom the beach is so worth the steep walk down!!! Cathedral cove itself is stunning. The better beach is at bottom of steeps not through the cove.
Water is calm and well worth a dip or even a jump or two off the large rock in the water!!
Toilets are long drops and smell as you would except!!
Take only what you can carry. There is no rubbish bins there.
We parked at top car park before get in to Hahei. It is private land you walk through and a small fee is payable but worth it as it cut off allot of walking time.
Busy track s as d beach.
At the bottom the beach is so worth the steep walk down!!! Cathedral cove itself is stunning. The better beach is at bottom of steeps not through the cove.
Water is calm and well worth a dip or even a jump or two off the large rock in the water!!
Toilets are long drops and smell as you would except!!
Take only what you can carry. There is no rubbish bins there.
We parked at top car park before get in to Hahei. It is private land you walk through and a small fee is payable but worth it as it cut off allot of walking time.
Busy track s as d beach.
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
H888
Hong Kong, China520 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
The wall is a must do in Hahei. On arrival you not only have the amazing Cathedral Cove, but an amazing swimming beach! Sandy and sheltered from most winds, what a day out. Walking time is accurate. About 45 mins from the upper car park at the Hahei end. Or 70 mins of walking from Hahei Beach entry point. The track from the beach to the carpark is dirt and can be a bit slippery. But from the top of the hill car park to the cove section is tar sealed and wide. Easy walking, but sneakers or comfortable waking shoes are needed as there’s a fair bit of up and down.
Top tip. Pack a picnic! Once you’re there you will want to stay for hours. And while low tide is good to get thru the cove to the neighbor beach, it’s not imperative to time your visit round the tide. The main cathedral cove beach is big enough for fun use even at high tide.
Top tip. Pack a picnic! Once you’re there you will want to stay for hours. And while low tide is good to get thru the cove to the neighbor beach, it’s not imperative to time your visit round the tide. The main cathedral cove beach is big enough for fun use even at high tide.
Written 3 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Megha M
Bengaluru, India48 contributions
We will be travelling from Hamilton to cathedral cove . Is the route feasible for someone with motion sickness ?
Jamie S
Jacksonville, FL32 contributions
We drove Rotarua to Corumundel and the highways along the coast are very steep and winding. I don’t know the severity of your motion sickness so it’s hard to answer your question. It’s possible the drive from Hamilton to Waikato to The Cove has more straightaways. There are lots of activity options which you should be able to enjoy- hiking, hot water beach. There are ferries and kayak trips but don’t know how you do in those activities
Hi I’m from Auckland and just wondering do you have to pay to visit Cathedral Cave?
Claire M
York, UK242 contributions
No - not sure if this is too late
Kathy H
45 contributions
Want to catch sunrise at Cathedral Cove for photography. How long does it take to walk from car park, given it will be in the dark (have head torch)?
brala519
Dunedin, New Zealand50 contributions
We just did thid walk, I'd allow 90 minutes from Hahei. The top car park is not open so you need to park in Hahei, it's about 45 minutes to the first carpark/bus drop off and another 45 minutes to the cove
Amod_Indap
Auckland Central, New Zealand675 contributions
Hi. What's the recommended mode of transport from Whitianga town to Cathedral Cove (we don't have a car). Thank you.
Pat S
Middle Island, NY124 contributions
We rented a car and drove to all our destinations. We are used to going it on our own. But there are shuttles that will take you. Just ask your concierge desk.
Helene H
Oslo, Norway13 contributions
Hi! Did you walk from the village, or the old parking lot?
slightlywelton
York, UK46 contributions
We walked from the village as we were staying there. Overall it was probably 35/40 minutes more.
FrannieHK
Melbourne, Australia12 contributions
Hi where did you catch the shuttle from to go to cathedral cove?
luckys15
Christchurch, New Zealand228 contributions
Hi. It's definitely best catch he shuttle from the car park as you enter Hahei. You can either buy it from the little parking meter with your debit or credit card at the collection point or you can pay cash on the bus.
Penne C
Hahei, New Zealand10 contributions
Parking. I got this from a local official.
There are only 40 parks at the start of the walk these are full from before 7am. From January 2018 the carpark will be closed and will be pick up and drop off only.
Use the visitors carpark at the village entrance which is signposted and free and either walk to Cathedral Cove and the Beach or take the shuttle which is very affordable.
Parking rules will be strictly enforced and the fines are a lot more than the shuttle service!!!
Canute12
London, UK3 contributions
That's correct. Don't waste your time time trying to find a park at the top of Grange Road. Enjoy the walk from the Hahei Beach
Jayjaytho
Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand
Hi there, would love to know if this walk is suitable for pram?
hirschwrites
Chesterfield, MO622 contributions
The walk itself is well paved. At the end, though, is a series of stairs. You'd have to carry the pram/baby down those stairs. But the view is remarkable.
