* PLEASE NOTE* for safety's sake, there is No need to venture off & go near cliff edges.
Please re-place carefully, in same spot & ensure it can't be seen from either direction as this is now a very popular spot.
This small jaunt/side-track off the headland track to (or from) Whale Bay used to be secret/quite obscure, but with the improvements made in summer (2011/2012) it is now a mainstream feature; it will bring you to The Pirate's Perch with prime viewing out to sea, of the islands, and also peering down over one of the Mermaid's favourite playgrounds...
I have relocated this cache in replacement for the original Matapouri Mermaid's Lair, which was muggled.
At minimum, a brisk 15 minute walk from the Whale Bay carpark, or a 10 minute beach walk + another 10 minutes along the headland track from Matapouri...
But allow several hours for exploring beautiful Matapouri's natural treasures, a picnic, swimming, and walking the full loop track to Whale Bay! ( 
and another cache)
* If you are in Matapouri, a visit through the hole in the rock and to the mermaid pools is considered a "must do". Unfortunately, the sign is laying down in the kikuyu, so some people might not go that little bit extra and miss out! Take a walk at lowtide on the lovely white sand beach all the way to where it hooks around at the end; S35 33.578 e174 30.635 Here, you will find a small sandy track which will lead you to the hole in the rock and the official mermaid pools, which involves a little bit of rock-hopping.
unfortunately there has been a massive cave-in and the hole is sealed shut!Sept 2010*