Hahei: Coastal Walks and Pā Sites

Hahei brings together several highlights for planning your day: access to the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track, water activities with conditions that can depend on the weather and season, and the Hereheretaura Pā short walking track into Te Pare Point Historic Reserve. At the southern end of Hahei Beach lie the remains of two significant Ngāti Hei pā sites. If you’re looking for a hotel in Hahei, you can plan your trip around whether you’re mainly interested in walking, getting out on the water, or exploring the archaeological traces.

Access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove

The Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track starts at the top of Grange Road in Hahei. From the Hahei Visitor Car Park, you can reach the track entrance by shuttle bus or on foot. The car park offers free spaces for cars and campervans. No bookings are required for the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track. Before travelling, check the latest DOC guidance on parking, access and possible closures, as well as the shuttle bus transport arrangements.

The Tokawhakairo-McHands Lookout Track branches off the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track. The out-and-back walk is listed as taking 25 minutes and covering 1.25 kilometres. This specific time and distance make the branch track a clearly defined option for planning your day.

Kayaking, snorkelling and boating

Mautohe Cathedral Cove can be reached on foot or by boat. Commercial access options include water taxis, kayaks and boats; availability depends on the season and weather. Check which options are currently offered before making plans. Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours offers guided sea kayak tours departing from Hahei. The tours are led by qualified guides and include a full briefing and support; no previous experience is required. Service information and availability may change, so it’s worth confirming the latest details before booking.

In calm weather, the Waimata-Gemstone Bay Snorkel Trail is easily reached by kayak from Hahei Beach. If you’d like to include the snorkel trail, take this weather window into account when planning.

Hereheretaura Pā and Te Pare Point

Te Pare Point Historic Reserve at the southern end of Hahei Beach contains the remains of two significant Ngāti Hei pā sites. At Hereheretaura Pā, you can see ditches and banks, several terraces, storage pits and living platforms. These distinct archaeological features give this part of the visit a focus of its own alongside the coastal walks and water activities.

The Hereheretaura Pā short walking track starts on the white sands of Hahei Beach and leads into the Historic Reserve. From the track, there are uninterrupted views across Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve and back towards Hahei Beach. This means that both the walk through the coastal landscape and the visible remains of the pā sites are part of the local experience.

Wider context: Thames-Coromandel District

Across the wider Thames-Coromandel District destination, the landscape is shaped by dramatic topography and coastline, native forests and diverse coastal settlements. The district includes about 2,000 hectares of parks and reserves. This regional perspective adds a broader landscape context to Hahei’s specific tracks, beaches and historic sites.

The Hauraki Rail Trail is also part of this wider destination. The 160-kilometre cycle trail runs through the Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako districts. Its 34-kilometre section from Thames to Paeroa passes through lush farmland. The trail is therefore a regional cycling route, while the coastal walks and water activities described here are based directly in Hahei.

Discover more destinations: Pauanui, Colville, Hikutaia, Opoutere, Cooks Beach, Tairua, Tapu, Te Puru.

View the wider travel guide: Thames-Coromandel District.