Mautohe Cathedral Cove is open for walking access, but the area is naturally unstable and can be affected by severe weather.

This means track closures may happen at short notice to keep visitors safe.

After major damage from 2022-23 summer storms and cyclones, walking access was restored in December 2024.

How DOC manages the site

We'll maintain overland walking access as long as it remains safe and practical.

Any rebuild or maintenance work is assessed against criteria such as visitor risk, technical feasibility, cultural and natural values, cost, and long term benefit.

Following the 2022-23 storm damage, a $5M International Visitor Levy investment enabled the restoration of walking access (reopened in December 2024) and a reset of the visitor experience to:

• enhance visitor outcomes
• address resilience issues
• manage tourism impacts
• make operating model improvements

Understanding the risks

Visiting outdoor places like Mautohe Cathedral Cove will always involve some risk.

DOC does not remove every hazard because this would damage natural and cultural values and limit how people enjoy the outdoors.

Instead, we aim to manage risks to an acceptable level.

Visitors should always:

• choose activities that match their skills and comfort level
• be responsible for their own risk decisions
• check site information (including weather information for the area) before visiting

What risks exist at Mautohe Cathedral Cove?

The main ongoing risks are geological – including landslides and rockfall.

To manage these, DOC:

• monitors weather and seismic data
• inspects the track when any of four "trigger" conditions are met
• provides clear on-site and online information
• closes the track when conditions become unsafe

If a closure is needed, we will update the DOC website and notify key stakeholders.

We urge visitors to respect track closures.