2023/24 - Please Note!
The track to Cathedral Cove is currently closed. See updated Maintenance logs on the status of the track.
August 2023: The Cathedral Cove track is still closed from cyclone damage & will be all during the summer of 2023 & 2024 (at least). And this includes the closure of the track to this Virtual lookout. I will keep an eye on the track status & post updates if the tracks ever open again.
If you make access to the beach via boat or kayak, i will accept Found logs with your pictures.
Please dont walk through the iconic archway as big rocks continue to fall.
Welcome to the fabulous Cathedral Cove lookout which is above Cathedral Cove beach.
The published coordinates take you to a lookout over Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve) and provides one of the most spectacular scenic vistas of the Cathedral Cove and Mercury Bay area. On your right below, is Cathedral Cove beach, the largest shark-tooth shaped rock being Te Hoho Rock. On your left below is McHanns Bay, locally known as Driftwood Bay.
Highly recommended time of day to visit the lookout is in the afternoon, but anytime during the day is also enjoyable.
**WARNINGS**
1) Please be aware the lookout partly overhangs a cliff, so if you suffer from vertigo, step back until you feel safe. Views are still visible by staying on the track.
2) Don’t venture anywhere beyond the lookout structure or safety handrail.
3) A portion of this track follows a steep cliff, please stay on the track.
4) Take plenty of water, this track gets very hot.
5) Wear sturdy shoes.
6) As a guide, time to walk to the platform from Hahei beach (WP1) is approximately 2.8km, 75-90 minutes one way. From Grange Road (WP2) the track is approximately 1km, 30-45 minutes one way.
7) Not recommended at night.
Your easy Virtual task:
Enjoy your walk to the lookout (which is above the beach), then take your best photo of the scenery in front of you. Upload your photo with your Found log.
Your photo MUST include:
1) any of the panoramic landmarks of Cathedral Cove/Mercury Bay that you can see, be it the coastline, off-shore islands, the beach or rocks below,
and
2) also include in your photo, something to prove you were actually there, ie your GPS, part of yourself (optional) or provide a photo that clearly shows a legible date stamp on the photo.
Have fun with your photo. 
Please Note: You can go ahead and log your find and photo, you don't need to wait for permission. Do not send me the picture, just upload it with your log. Found logs without a photo, may risk being deleted. If you are part of a group, the individual posting the group photo must also post the Geocaching Usernames of those in the photo to their log. No finds prior to the hidden date of this cache (20 Jan 2020) will count.
Please Note: photos taken down on Cathedral Cove beach or taken from anywhere along the main Cathedral Cove track, will not be accepted. Your photo MUST be from the lookout above the beach, at the published coordinates.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.