Hahei is a most spectacular and brilliantly white sandy beach
– reputedly the “most enjoyed of all the Coromandel Peninsula
beaches”. The commercial centre includes cafés, restaurants,
a beach store and takeaways, ice cream parlour and gift
shop. There is Hahei accommodation to suit most
any budget.
The popular (but long) walk to Cathedral Cove and
its much photographed cove starts at the lookout
here as does the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.
Hereheretaura Point at the south end of the beach, now a
reserve and pleasant walk, was once a large Maori Pa (village).
Hahei Beach...... It was an afternoon in early
March
and I’d just finished a busy day
whizzing round for the Mercury Bay Art Escape,
popping in to see all the artists “under my wing” in
Hot Water Beach, Cooks Beach and Hahei.
Brimming with inspiration, I decided to walk on Hahei
beach to
allow my mind to settle before heading home. It was the
best feeling in the world just to stride off across the sand,
head in the clouds.
There were plenty of families around, and I was particularly struck by
one woman standing at the water’s edge, splendidly statuesque in her
old-fashioned black togs. Hands on hips, she stood with the waves
lapping at her feet. I looked back when I was further down the beach,
and she was still in the same pose, gazing out to sea.
HAHEI BEACH
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Photos by Roberta Huffman
Towards Cathedral Cove...
It was a hot day, with just enough
cloud cover to keep things tolerable. We found a
parking spot without too much difficulty, but w
passed a lot of people on the track down to
the Cove. This day stands out particularly for
me because we never made it all the way to
the bottom!
I hadn’t realised it would take 45 minutes to
descend to the spectacular formation below us.
Signs on the way proclaimed the distance, and I realised
my backpack didn’t contain my usual staples: bottle of
water, granola bar and sunscreen. Starting to feel a
little panicked and parched at the prospect of a
steep climb without any vital refreshment, we
walked half way and then turned back. It didn’t
prevent me from appreciating the stunning
panorama, and I was able to save the full
descent for another day with backpack
stuffed to the gills with my usual “just in
case” items.
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Explore sea caves and the
hidden blowhole as well
as catch sight of whales or
dolphins if you’re luck
y.
