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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -46.60722, 169.37717. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 30 min one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Catlins coastal area
- Seasonal restrictions
- Open between late October and May. Spring tides may delay the opening a few weeks.
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Walk through bush and along the beach to explore the impressive Cathedral Caves.
This DOC directory entry covers Cathedral Caves Walk in Otago, within Catlins coastal area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 30 min one way
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
Open between late October and May. Spring tides may delay the opening a few weeks.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track passes through the podocarp and kamahi forest of the Waipati Beach Scenic Reserve. On reaching the beach, it’s 10 minutes to the impressive CathEdral Caves. The sea has cut deeply into weaker sections of the cliffs and created caverns as much as 30 m high.
The caves are only open when conditions are safe. Check the Cathedral Caves website (link below) before your visit and again on the day of your visit as opening times change if conditions change.
The Cathedral Caves Walk is managed by a group of landowners of Kāi Tahu descent. For more information, tide tables and current status see the Cathedral Caves website.
Getting there
The track starts 2 km down an access road that is signposted on the main road, 7 km south of Tautuku.
Know before you go
There is a small charge for the use of the car park and access to the track, beach and caves.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
