Things to do in Cathedral Cove and The Coromandel Itinerary

Whether you’re visiting The Coromandel on a day trip or as part of a more extended road trip around New Zealand’s North Island, there are many wonderful things to do at Cathedral Cove and around the Coromandel peninsula. The region is a beautiful addition to your itinerary.

Here I share my best tips on what to do on a one-day trip to Cathedral Cove. However, there are many more places to visit in the Coromandel, so if you do have two or three days here, you will find ample opportunities for exploration and fun.

Best known for its pristine coastline and chilled-out holiday vibes, The Coromandel Peninsula is home to everything from paradise-quality beaches and hiking through rainforests. It’s a great place for laid-back outdoor activities and a chance to unwind.

At only two hours from Auckland by either car or ferry, The Coromandel is one of the best day trips from New Zealand’s largest city. If you’re like me, working the office life in Auckland and in need of a getaway but without much time, you will love this nature-packed day out.

You can also book a full-day Coromandel Peninsula tour from Auckland here.

Due to unique natural attractions, such as Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, the area also deserves its status on many must-see North Island itineraries.

Things to do in Cathedral Cove and The Coromandel Itinerary

The Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove Walk

PARKING FOR CATHEDRAL COVE: Depending on where you park, you can have a longer or shorter walk to Cathedral Cove.

• The area is only accessible on foot, and the closest car park is a 30-minute walk away.
  
• Parking at Hahei Beach is another excellent option as then you can do this extended, albeit not too strenuous, walk along the coastline before arriving at the star attraction.

From Hahei Beach, follow the wooden sign to Cathedral Cove. It says it takes 90 minutes to walk there, but it didn’t take longer than an hour in my case while still having time to enjoy the view.

Once you’ve climbed the steps, enjoy the stunning views which stretch back along Hahei Beach. It’s a great introduction to the Coromandel coastline. From earthy winding pathways to purposefully made boardwalks, it’s very photogenic too.

This particular viewing spot is next to the closer Cathedral Cove car park, so take a look if you’re parking in that spot before continuing to Cathedral Cove.

From here, the path also meanders through New Zealand World War 1 Memorial Forest, a great place to enjoy New Zealand flora and fauna with the ocean views behind.

Cathedral Cove

The natural archway of Cathedral Cove frequently lures locals and tourists alike to enjoy its picturesque beauty. Surrounded by white sand beaches and unique rock formations, it’s definitely the ultimate must-see on any Coromandel itinerary.

While I enjoyed the walk from Hahei Beach, there are other activities to do here too. Swimming and sunbathing are a must in the summer, but you can also kayak or do boat trips too.

Take a 2-hour Cathedral Cove Boat Ride

Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach is a worthwhile stop on any Catherdral Cove day trip. Just 12 minutes down the road by car, park up next to this unique sandy beach. Famous for the thermal water that runs under the shore, visitors dig holes in the sand and take their very own thermal hot spring bath.

The thermal water beneath the sand has made this attraction a unique spot worldwide. Your beachside hot pool can have water of up to 64 degrees Celsius. The ultimate time to visit is during the hours on either side of low tide.

Paku Hill Summit Walk

The walk up Paku Hill is steep but relatively short at only 45 minutes of return. The path is clearly marked and easy to follow. Only the last 20 metres or so is less of a path and more of a ‘scramble over rocks’ as you then reach the peak.

The signage at the beginning of the walk is photographed below.

All the way up the pathway is gorgeous views over the coastline.

If you’re visiting on an Auckland day trip, this is a great last spot of the day on the way back and a perfect Coromandel Sunset spot. For me, it was the sunset that made it so special.

Before you leave the area, take in the view of Paku Hill from afar from one of the beaches. The triangular shape is so distinctive, and it’s funny to think you were just at the top!

More things to do in The Coromandel

Here is a quick round-up of what’s on my bucket list for the next time I head to The Coromandel!

• New Chums Beach – often looked over in favour of Hot Water Beach’s hot water activities, New Chum is a stunning alternative if you want to see more of the gorgeous coastline this peninsula has to offer.
  
• The Pinnacles – the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail is the number one thing I want to do if I make it back to the Coromandel. This fantastic overnight hike across The Pinnacles is home to some INCREDIBLE scenery. By taking the overnight track, you can enjoy the landscape in all its glory at sunrise and sunset. There is a hotel there or huts if you don’t fancy camping out.

Prefer hiking with a guide? Check out this private Coromandel coastal walk tour.

• The Coromandel Coastal Walkway – this 3-and-a-half-hour walk allows you to see more of the Coromandel’s stunning coastal scenery at your own pace. Suitable for most hiking abilities, this 10km walkway allows you to wander past jaw-dropping viewpoints. A personal tour guide is a great way to get the inside scope of New Zealand’s natural beauty too.
  
• Snorkelling or diving at Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve – from half-day diving trips to full-day snorkelling boat trips out on and under the water, this would be my ideal activity in Summer! Experienced divers can enjoy 28km deep dives, but first-timers can do their PADI or a Try-Dive too.

Want something more adventurous? Check out this eco-zipline tour in the Coromandel, where profits go towards preserving New Zealand’s native forests.

The area is filled with great hiking, waterfalls, exciting outdoor adventures, and scenery. I would love to go back for a week and see more of the off-the-beaten-track destinations in this area. Still, for a one-day trip from Auckland, Cathedral Cove and its surroundings still make one hell of an impression!

Which attraction would be your number one must-see addition to a Coromandel itinerary?

More of my favourite Auckland Day trips:

PIHA

MANGAWHAI

RANGITOTO ISLAND

HAMILTON & RAGLAN

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