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Natural features

Cathedral Cove (Mautohe)

New Zealand Waikato Whitianga

Cathedral Cove (Mautohe)
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A huge natural rock arch joining two white-sand beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula, in the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, with a tall rock pinnacle standing in the clear water. It's one of the most photographed places in New Zealand.


The walking track from Hahei has been partly closed by storm damage in recent years, so check the current access on the DOC website before you go. The best ways to arrive are by water taxi, glass-bottom boat or guided sea kayak from Hahei Beach, which also show you the sea caves and the marine reserve. Snorkelling at Gemstone Bay nearby is excellent.


In summer it's very busy; come early. Hahei is about 2.5 hours from Auckland.

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