Cathedral Cove is one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand and it really is as beautiful as people say. The cove is in the Coromandel Peninsula and you reach it by a walking track that starts in Hahei. You can park at the Hahei Beach car park, but check before coming because the parking rules change often.

The walk takes around 30 to 45 minutes each way. It is an easy to moderate walk with a few short hills and great views of the coast along the way. When you reach the beach, you walk through a big natural arch in the rock that gives the place its name. It feels like a massive stone cathedral opening to the sea.

This spot is famous because it’s where the children enter the enchanted world through the cave at the beginning of the second Narnia movie.

Try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. There are fewer people and the light is softer for photos. At high tide the beach gets smaller, so check the tide times before going. Swimming is possible but the waves can get strong, so always be careful.