Cathedral Cove Track Closed While Storm Passes

The onset of former Cyclone Tam has prompted the Department of Conservation to close tracks to Coromandel’s Mautohe Cathedral Cove until at least Saturday, as a result visitors are being urged not to walk the track or go to the beach.

DOC Coromandel Senior Ranger, Matt Flynn, says it’s prudent to close tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove given the expected weather impact.

“As well as the wind and rain forecast, swells up to 4m are predicted, meaning the waves are likely to reach the cliffs behind the cove’s beach. We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove over the next few days – the conditions make it unsafe. We do not want people getting hurt.”

The closure came into effect from 5pm yesterday, Wednesday 16 April, and be in place until at least midday Saturday 19 April – when staff will carry out a site inspection and make further decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.

DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.