Timing

The caves are open between late October and May. Sometimes spring tides can delay the opening by a few weeks.

If conditions are deemed unsafe or tidal conditions are unfavourable the gate will be closed.

Access is limited to 2 hours before low tide and one hour after low tide.
Access is also limited between 7.30 am and 8.30 pm.

Visit https://www.cathedralcaves.co.nz/ for tide times.

Access is through private land. We have been informed there is now a $5 Koha (Maori for donation or gift) requested.

Access

Cathedral Caves are well signposted from the Southern Scenic Route between Chaslands and Papatowai. Signs are visible from both directions and show when the low tide is and what time the gate opens and closes. Follow the unsealed access road 2 km to the parking area with toilets at the start of the track

Track

The well-constructed track descends steadily through the fern filled forest to the beach. Head left and round the first headland to the largest cave. The huge cavernous opening is framed by striking colours of the rock and vegetation and retreats to blackness at the rear. Closer inspection by entering the cave however, shows the initial cave also links up with a smaller, but equally impressive cave exiting at the far side of the headland.

When sea conditions are calm, it is also possible to explore a set of caves around the next headland. Although slightly smaller they retreat nearly 150 metres into the cliff and narrow to only a body width wide. Little blue penguins are known to inhabit the furthest recesses of the cave.

On the way back, the sweeping vistas of Waipati Beach are impressive, the sand almost luminescent in the muted light of the cloud-filled sky.

Geology

Caves such as this are formed by the erosive power of the waves exploiting and enlarging weaknesses in the rock. The immense pressure of the waves striking the rock is enough to steadily wear away and denude the rock structure. Over time the caves will eventually grow until the rock above becomes unstable and collapses, forming offshore stacks.

Honeycomb weathering is visible on the splash zone above the high tide mark. When sea spray soaks into the rocks, they become saturated with salt, which on drying, enlarges the salt crystals levering the sand grains apart. Wind then dislodges the grains and eddies to form the hollows. The honeycomb pattern is best exhibited on overhangs, where the face is protected from the rainfall.

Flora

Hebes and flax colonise the cliff faces.

Fauna

The zonation of aquatic animals forms a striking strata on the rocks. Each animal is particularly evolved to its band in the sequence, limits determined by tolerance to exposure at the upper end and ability to compete with food lower down. Barnacles and mussels encrust the rocks and an algal film complements the rich hues of rock perfectly.