Where to Park a Campervan Near Cathedral Cove

Quick summary: Parking is the trickiest part of a campervan visit to Cathedral Cove. The car park at the top of the walking track is restricted, and the residential streets around it are narrow and unsuited to large vehicles, so campervans and motorhomes should use the visitor parking in Hahei and walk or take the shuttle from there. Better still, stay at a Hahei holiday park and walk. This guide covers the parking options for the cove, Hot Water Beach and the boat tour departure points.

At a glance
Cathedral Cove	Use Hahei’s visitor parking; parking near the track top is restricted
Best option	Stay at a Hahei holiday park and walk
Hot Water Beach	Public car parks near the beach; busy at low tide
Whitianga	Plenty of parking near the town and wharf
Overnight	Only at campgrounds or designated sites
Arrive	Early in summer and on holiday weekends

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Why can’t you park at the top of the Cathedral Cove track?

Because the area was never designed for the number of visitors the cove attracts. The small car park near the start of the track, reached through residential streets, filled quickly and caused congestion, and storm damage has also affected the area. Parking there has been restricted, with visitors directed to parking in Hahei instead. Arrangements can change, so follow the signs and check the Department of Conservation’s current information.

Where should you park the RV for Cathedral Cove?

Option	How it works
Hahei visitor parking	Designated parking for cove visitors, with more room for large vehicles; walk or shuttle from there
Hahei holiday park	Stay the night and walk to the beach and track
Whitianga or Hahei Beach for water tours	Leave the vehicle at your holiday park and walk to the departure point

What about Hot Water Beach?

There are public car parks near Hot Water Beach, a short walk from the hot water area. They fill quickly around popular low tides in summer, so arrive early or stay at the holiday park near the beach. See Hot Water Beach.

What about Whitianga?

Whitianga is flat and spacious, with parking near the waterfront, supermarkets and wharf. The marina area is busy in summer, so you may need to park a short walk away.

Can you stay overnight in the car parks?

No. Overnight stays outside campgrounds are restricted on the Coromandel, and the visitor car parks aren’t for overnight use. Freedom camping is allowed only at sites Thames-Coromandel District Council designates, generally for certified self-contained vehicles. See campsites in Mercury Bay.

What other tips are there?

• Arrive early, especially from late morning in summer.
• Don’t park on verges or narrow streets, where large vehicles block traffic and driveways.
• Lock valuables away, out of sight.
• Consider a water tour, which avoids the parking question altogether. See Cathedral Cove from the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions