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.


~ Click here to go to Low Tide Charts ~
 

  • The access gate to Cathedral caves is opened and closed approximately 2 hours before and after low tide depending on daily sea conditions. 

  • Access is not available before 7.30 am or after 8.30pm.

  •  In the event of either unsafe access or tidal conditions the access gate will remain closed in the interest of public safety.

  • 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 2012
 

January 2012

26 T 1126
27 F 1208
28 S 1250
29 S 1334
30 M 1420
31 T 1511

 

February

March

April

May

1

W

1609

1

T

1518

1

S

1643

1

T

1607

2

T

1710

2

F

1622

2

M

**1642**

2

W

1704

3

F

1807

3

S

1724

3

T

1737

3

T

1759

4

S

1857

4

s

1820

4

W

1828

4

F

1852

5

S

1943

5

M

1911

5

T

1917

5

S

0716

6

M

0808   2027

6

T

1958

6

F

0740

6

S

0807

7

T

0851  2111

7

W

0822 2045

7

S

0828

7

M

0859

8

W

0933

8

T

0907

8

S

0916

8

T

0951

9

T

1016

9

F

0952

9

M

1008

9

W

1045

10

F

1101

10

S

1038

10

T

1100

10

T

1141

11

S

1147

11

s

1126

11

W

1157

11

F

1240

12

S

1236

12

M

1117

12

T

1257

12

S

1340

13

M

1329

13

T

1312

13

F

1402

13

S

1442

14

T

1427

14

W

1412

14

S

1508

14

M

1541

15

W

1532

15

T

1518

15

S

1611

15

T

1636

16

T

1641

16

F

1627

16

M

1707

16

W

1727

17

F

1748

17

S

1732

17

T

1757

17

T

Closed

18

S

1848

18

s

1831

18

W

1843

18

F

Closed

19

S

1942

19

M

1922

19

T

1925

19

S

0725

20

M

0808   2030

20

T

2009

20

F

2004

20

S

0754

21

T

0854   2116

21

W

0830   2032

21

S

2042

21

M

0831

22

W

0936

22

T

0911

22

S

0858 2118

22

T

0908

23

T

1017

23

F

0949

23

M

0934

23

W

0946

24

F

1056

24

S

1026

24

T

1010

24

T

1026

25

S

1135

25

S

1103

25

W

1049

25

F

1108

26

S

1213

26

M

1139

26

T

1131

26

S

1154

27

M

1252

27

T

1217

27

F

1217

27

S

1244

28

T

1334

28

W

1258

28

S

1309

28

M

1338

29

W

1422

29

T

1345

29

S

1407

29

T

1435

 

 

 

30

F

1439

30

M

1507

30

W

1535

 

 

 

31

S

1540

 

 

 

31

T

1635

 

                                                   Additional Tide Charts for the Year


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
 

Additional Photographs


Cathedral Caves & Tide Charts for the Year


Catlins, New Zealand

 

www.newzealandnz.co.nz



            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.



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.
 

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.