January 26, 2023
Cathedral Cove is perhaps Coromandel’s most famous and most beautiful beach. Although it is only a short distance from Hahei as the seagull flies, it is inaccessible by car, requiring a 45 minute hike along a path that is paved and well maintained but has lots of ups and downs. Fortunately, there is an ice cream truck parked handily along its route to help sustain weary hikers.
In the afternoon, we hopped in the car and drove an hour further north to visit our dear friends Marcus and Vasu and their whanau (family) who were renting a bach at Kuaotunu. Along the way we stopped for lunch under the kiwi fruit vines at the Hive.
We also stopped at a quirky little roadside pottery shop that was nestled in the trees and doubled as the potter’s home and workshop.
In Maori, Kuaotunu means ‘to inspire fear in young animals’ or ‘roasted young’ which, apparently, references the good hunting and fishing in the area. Either way, it is a rather gruesome name for a pretty beach.
Mal and Lauren 