Welcome to Cathedral Caves
Catlins, South Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Situated just off the Southern Scenic Route, Catlins, New Zealand at the northern end of Waipati beach, south of Tautuku.
From the car park at the end of the 2km access road (an old logging road) there is a pleasant 20 minute walk through natural podocarp and kamahi forest, over a metalled track leading down to a 10 minute walk along Waipati beach. At the south end of Waipati beach is Chaslands Head, the historic Catlins site of the shipwreck of The Otago.
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The access gate to Cathedral caves is opened and closed approximately 2 hours before and after low tide depending on daily sea conditions.
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Access is not available before 7.30 am or after 8.30pm.
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In the event of either unsafe access or tidal conditions the access gate will remain closed in the interest of public safety.
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A road /track user fee is charged to maintain and upgrade the facilities most of which are on privately owned land administered by the Tautuku Block X Section 3C Trust.
Freak waves can occur even at low tide.
Low Tide Times 2010
|
February |
March |
April |
May |
||||||||
|
1 |
M |
1049 |
1 |
M |
0938 |
1 |
T |
1050 |
1 |
S |
1016 |
|
2 |
T |
1138 |
2 |
T |
1026 |
2 |
F |
1138 |
2 |
S |
1105 |
|
3 |
W |
1228 |
3 |
W |
1114 |
3 |
S |
1228 |
3 |
M |
1155 |
|
4 |
T |
1320 |
4 |
T |
1203 |
4 |
S |
*DS 1221 |
4 |
T |
1248 |
|
5 |
F |
1415 |
5 |
F |
1253 |
5 |
M |
1320 |
5 |
W |
1344 |
|
6 |
S |
1516 |
6 |
S |
1348 |
6 |
T |
1422 |
6 |
T |
1440 |
|
7 |
S |
1622 |
7 |
S |
1448 |
7 |
W |
1525 |
7 |
F |
1534 |
|
8 |
M |
1727 |
8 |
M |
1555 |
8 |
T |
1622 |
8 |
S |
1624 |
|
9 |
T |
1825 |
9 |
T |
1700 |
9 |
F |
1722 |
9 |
S |
1711 |
|
10 |
W |
1916 |
10 |
W |
1758 |
10 |
S |
1756 |
10 |
M |
1754 |
|
11 |
T |
2002 |
11 |
T |
1849 |
11 |
S |
1836 |
11 |
T |
1836 |
|
12 |
F |
2042 |
12 |
F |
1933 |
12 |
M |
1914 |
12 |
W |
1918 |
|
13 |
S |
0903 |
13 |
S |
2012 |
13 |
T |
0731 |
13 |
T |
closed |
|
14 |
S |
0938 |
14 |
S |
0832 |
14 |
W |
0807 |
14 |
F |
closed |
|
15 |
M |
1012 |
15 |
M |
0906 |
15 |
T |
0845 |
15 |
S |
0903 |
|
16 |
T |
1045 |
16 |
T |
0940 |
16 |
F |
0924 |
16 |
S |
0950 |
|
17 |
W |
1119 |
17 |
W |
1014 |
17 |
S |
1007 |
17 |
M |
1039 |
|
18 |
T |
1156 |
18 |
T |
1050 |
18 |
S |
1053 |
18 |
T |
1132 |
|
19 |
F |
1235 |
19 |
F |
1129 |
19 |
M |
1144 |
19 |
W |
1228 |
|
20 |
S |
1320 |
20 |
S |
1211 |
20 |
T |
1240 |
20 |
T |
1328 |
|
21 |
S |
1412 |
21 |
S |
1258 |
21 |
W |
1343 |
21 |
F |
1429 |
|
22 |
M |
1512 |
22 |
M |
1352 |
22 |
T |
1448 |
22 |
S |
1531 |
|
23 |
T |
1621 |
23 |
T |
1455 |
23 |
F |
1553 |
23 |
S |
1631 |
|
24 |
W |
1731 |
24 |
W |
1604 |
24 |
S |
1653 |
24 |
M |
1727 |
|
25 |
T |
1835 |
25 |
T |
1713 |
25 |
S |
1749 |
25 |
T |
1821 |
|
26 |
F |
1932 |
26 |
F |
1815 |
26 |
M |
1842 |
26 |
W |
1913 |
|
27 |
S |
2025 |
27 |
S |
1911 |
27 |
T |
1932 |
27 |
T |
closed |
|
28 |
S |
0850 |
28 |
S |
2004 |
28 |
W |
0754 |
28 |
F |
closed |
|
|
|
|
29 |
M |
2054 |
29 |
T |
0841 |
29 |
S |
0909 |
|
|
|
|
30 |
T |
0916 |
30 |
F |
0928 |
30 |
S |
0955 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
W |
1003 |
|
|
|
31 |
M |
1041 |
DISCLAIMER
The Trust at all times attempts to keep the public informed as to safety issues relating to Waipati Beach/Cathedral Caves however, as local weather and sea conditions can change rapidly the public are warned that they need to be aware of and are personally responsible for their immediate personal safety at all times.
Accordingly the Trust takes no responsibility for any personal injury or property damaged whilst on the foreshore (beach).
The Trust accepts no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information contained in these tables which are intended as a guide only. * Daylight saving
Cathedral Caves is not open on Christmas Day.
The caves can only be accessed at low tide.
Please ensure you refer to the
tide charts.
Links
Pictured above are the first and second caves which join. This allows you to enter one and exit through the other as you choose. The inside ceiling of the first cave reaches 30 metres in sections - making it a great place to test out your singing voice. Remember to look up as you enter and see the definite cathedral shape. Cathedral Caves, Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.
The varied colours and rock formations surround you - as you explore these natural wonders. Cathedral Caves, Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.
A torch can enhance your viewing inside the caves. If you have a torch - bring it with you. Cathedral Caves, Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.
Waipati Beach from inside the cave. Chaslands Head in the distance. Cathedral Caves, Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.
Low Tide at Cathedral Caves. Cathedral Caves, Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.