Cathedral Cove (Coromandel)
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Cathedral Cove is a bay on the beach section of Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand north of Hahei . The name generally includes the Cathedral Cave .
Under the name Te Whanganui-A-Hei , the Maori name for the bay, the area became the first coastal reserve of the Coromandel Peninsula in 1993 under the supervision of the Department of Conservation in the Waikato District and is intended to protect the habitat of the flora and fauna around to serve Mozukoure, Moturoa, Motueka and the Mahurangi Islands.
Maori tradition
The Maori name Whanganui-A-Hei (meaning The Great Bay of Hei ) refers to an important Maori chief named Hei . In the Maori tradition, he declared the area as the home of his clan. He defined Motueka Island a few kilometers from the coast as Te Kuraetanga-o-taku-Ihu (analogously the outer curve of my nose ) included in this area. Today it is assumed that he explained this claim to the coastal area of Mercury Bay from the location of the modern coastal town of Hahei, whose name can also be traced back to this Maori chief.
Geology and formation
The coastal rock consists of very light-colored limestone, between which other, more solid rock formations are partially enclosed. The coast rises around 40 meters above sea level in the area of Cathedral Cove. Sometimes the cliffs protrude vertically up to the waterline, in other parts of the coastal protection area, the permanent washing of the shore zone has created bays and cuttings in which the species-rich vegetation of New Zealand has settled. The actual “cathedral” is the cave in the connection between Mare's Leg Cove and Cathedral Cove , which has a cathedral-like, pointed ceiling. This form of the cave was created by differently oriented layers of rock on the two walls of the cave, so that the effect of the tides over many millennia could create such a shape.
Tourist use
Despite being classified in a marine reserve , the cave and some of the bays in the area are easily accessible by paths. From the parking lot near Hahei and Gemstone Bay, it takes around 45 minutes to walk and descend the stairs to the beach at Mare's Leg Cove . From Hahei Beach you can also take a small boat to Cathedral Cove. Very beautiful beaches on the bays invite you to swim. Signs in front of the caves warn against entering, however, as rocks may fall down. A few kilometers south of Hahei is the Hot Water Beach, which is also very interesting for tourists .
Web links
- Website on the Coromandel Peninsula (Engl.)
- Site about the Marine Reserve Te Whanganui-A-Hei
- Interactive panorama of the coast directly above Cathedral Cove
Coordinates: 36 ° 49 ′ 39.5 ″ S , 175 ° 47 ′ 24.3 ″ E