Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the
Cathedral Cove Shuttle
(
027 422 5899;
www.cathedralcoveshuttles.co.nz
; up to 5 pas-
sengers $30)
.
Cathedral Cove Water Taxi
( 027 919 0563;
www.cathedralcovewatertaxi.co.nz
;
return/one
way adult $25/15, child $15/10, every 30 min)
Has water taxis from Hahei to Cathedral Cove.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hot Water Beach
Justifiably famous, Hot Water Beach is quite extraordinary. For two hours either side of
low tide, you can access an area of sand in front of a rocky outcrop at the middle of the
beach where hot water oozes up from beneath the surface. Bring a spade, dig a hole and
voila
,
you've got a personal spa pool. Surfers stop off before the main beach to access
some decent breaks. The headland between the two beaches still has traces of a Ngati Hei
pa
.
Spades ($5) can be hired from the
Hot Water Beach Store
(Pye Pl;
9am-5pm)
,
which also has Hottie's Cafe attached.
10am-5pm)
has art, sculpture and
jewellery with a modern Pasifika/Maori bent.
SAFETY
Hot Water Beach has dangerous rips, especially directly in front of the main
thermal section. It's one of the four most dangerous beaches in NZ in terms of
drowning numbers, although this may be skewed by the huge number of tourists
that flock here. Regardless, swimming here is notsafe if the lifeguards aren't on
patrol.
Sleeping & Eating
Hot Water Beach Top
10 Holiday Park
HOLIDAY PARK $
( 07-866 3116;
www.hotwaterbeachholidaypark.com
; 790 Hot Water Beach Rd; campsites from
$18, dm $30, units $70-200; )
Bordered by tall bamboo and gum trees, this is a
very well-run holiday park with everything from grassy campsites, through to a brand-
