CATHEDRAL COVE BEACH AND TRACK REOPENS
1st DECEMBER 2024
How to purchase tickets? From 1st December Park & Ride tickets will be able to be purchased:
From the link on this website (link will be added 1st December)
Using a credit or debit card at the ticket machine in the Hahei Visitor Car Park
Cash to the driver
Tickets should only be purchased on the day of use, no need to purchase in advance. Tickets are for the return trip
How much are the tickets? Adults $7 return, children (14 years and under) are free
What is the bus timetable? The bus runs continuously 9am to 6pm, you shouldn’t have to wait longer than 15 minutes. This is a daily service from 1st December to 30th April, including all public holidays! If the weather is very bad weather then the bus may not be operating, please call 0800 44 65 49 if you are unsure
Where does the bus leave from? All day free parking is available at the Hahei Visitor Car Park located on Hahei Beach Road, click here for Google Maps. This large car park is on the right as you enter Hahei, you can’t miss it, it’s well sign posted. The bus stop is located just after you enter the Visitor Car Park.
All day free parking, and no need to sweat the hill!
The Park & Ride buses will take you up the big hill to the lookout and start of the walkway to Cathedral Cove
(There is no parking at the top of the hill, or on the hill)
Please protect the beauty of our region by taking out with you what you brought in. We thank you for leaving no rubbish behind.
Take only photos and leave only footprints.
WHAT TO SEE ON THE WALK TO Cathedral Cove
The Cathedral Cove Park & Ride buses bring you up the big hill to the top lookout. Check out the panoramic views of Mercury Bay and Te Whanganui A Hei Marine Reserve, then head down the well maintained track to Cathedral Cove.
It’s a 45 minute walk each way, with the track mostly following the coastline; crossing scrub land, native scrubs and a pine forest. Along the way there are photo opportunities with dramatic views of spectacular coastal scenery.
The first side track you come to is to Gemstone Bay, just a few minutes walk to a boulder bay where you can snorkel or swim following the snorkel trail. Unfortunately Gemstone Bay is closed for the 24/25 summer season due to storm damage.
After that there is another side track which brings you to Stingray Bay, with it’s white sand beach, majestic cliffs and large boulders for rock hopping. Look out for stingray feeding. The cliffs are impressive, but please be wary of falling rocks. Unfortunately Stingray Bay is closed for the 24/25 summer season due to storm damage.
A side loop track after Stingray Bay takes you through a grove of native puriri tree before rejoining the main trail.
At the Cove itself you can swim in either of the two sandy beaches, accessed via a majestic natural rock arch, the Cathedral itself. Do not forget your camera! These beaches are fun for swimming and jumping off the rock island is very popular. Seen the Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince of Caspian? You should recognise the beach then!
Ngati Hei / History of Cathedral Cove
Te Whanganui-A-Hei is part of a special area first claimed by Hei, a Tauira (teacher/skilled person) from the waka Te Arawa, some time around 1350 AD.
On a northbound voyage from the Bay of Plenty to Hauraki, Hei chose the area around Mercury Bay to settle with his people. He proclaimed ownership by referring to Motueka Island as “Te kuraetangao-taku-Ihu” (the outward curve of my nose). It is said that he made this claim near the present day site of Hahei.
Hei’s descendants still retain a strong ancestral and spiritual attachment to the area and continue their role of kaitiaki (guardians) of the bountiful resources within it.
THE TIAKI PROMISE
The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand.
Park & Ride and Go Kiwi Shuttles embrace the Tiaki promise to:
· Care for land, sea and nature. Treading lightly and leaving no trace
· Travel safely, showing care and consideration to all
· Respect culture, traveling with an open heart and mind
