Hahei & Cathedral Cove
Accessible only on foot or by boat, famous Cathedral Cove is one of the “must visit” sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. The track begins at the northern end of Hahei. The Cathedral is a gigantic arched cavern that penetrates the headland between two coves. It gives an air of grandeur to the whole of the beach. The headland is the site of an ancient Maori pa (fortified village).
The beach is sandy with a pohutukawa backdrop—a perfect place for a picnic followed by a swim. Offshore a little way is a large pinnacle of pumice breccia known as "Te Hoho". Delicately sculptured by wind and water to form a most impressive and unusual sight, it looks a bit like the prow of a large ship steaming into the beach.
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Cathedral Cove Walk
There are several scenic tracks on land adjacent to the reserve, including the 2hr return walk to Cathedral Cove track, which gives access to Gemstone Bay, Mares Leg and Cathedral Cove. Foot access to the Cathedral Cove car park is at the western end of Hahei Beach and vehicle access is up Grange Road (turn left past shops and go all the way to end of Grange Road).
Hahei - from the lookout of this attractive beach (named after the Maori Chief Hei) there is access to Cathedral Cove and the Marine Reserve. Offshore islands provide a breakwater for ideal swimming, boating and fishing.
Narnia - the filming of the opening scenes of Prince Caspian in Hahei
Los Angeles film company Wimbleweather shot the opening scenes of Prince Caspian in the seaside township of Hahei, 56km north of Whangamata. The set for the ruins of the castle Cair Paravel was built on the nearby Hereherataura Peninsula, overlooking Cathedral Cove. This scenic crescent of white sand is famous for its dramatic natural rock arch. You can reach the cove via the Hahei Coastal Walkway, a hilly walk (45min) that starts off Hahei Beach Road and leads along bush-lined ridges, affording sweeping seaviews along the way.
Te Whanganui A Hei Marine Reserve
This is the first marine reserve established on the Coromandel Peninsula and is officially named Te Whanganui A Hei: (Cathedral Cove). The reserve boundaries are physically marked by large white posts placed on the islands and at each end of the mainland boundary.
Figures show that there are definitely far more snapper inside the marine reserve than outside and the fish inside are much bigger. |