Cathedral Cove makes World's Best 50 Beaches list
The annual list by The World's 50 Best Beaches website used insights from more than 1000 judges, Beach Ambassadors and World's 50 Beaches team exploring beaches all over the world.
Coming in at number 45 this year — one place higher than last year's 46th ranking — was New Zealand's very own Mautohe Cathedral Cove.
The website highlighted the "iconic arch" which gave the beach its name and framed the view of the Pacific Ocean.
"The beach is accessible by water via boat or kayak or by a walking trail, and it remains a pristine and tranquil place to visit," it said.
Judges also noted the "scenic beauty" of the landscape, with golden sand lined with native pohutukawa trees and surrounding cliffs of the Te Whanganui o Hei Marine Reserve.
Topping the list was Cala Goloritzé on Sardinia, Italy, with Entalula Beach in Palawan, Philippines second and Bang Bao Beach on the Thai island of Koh Kood third.
Destination Hauraki Coromandel marketing manager Megan Nunn said she was "incredibly proud to see Mautohe Cathedral Cove named among the world's top 50 beaches for the second year running".
"This iconic location is not only a treasured jewel of Hauraki Coromandel but also a must-do experience for visitors to New Zealand.
"Its natural beauty, cultural significance, and place in the hearts of so many make this recognition truly special — reaffirming Mautohe Cathedral Cove's status as one of the most spectacular and valued coastal destinations in the world," Munn said.
In December last year the walking tracks reopened following damage sustained during in the summer of 2022-2023, including by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. "The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us," says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. "With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return - but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. "This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Press Release – Auckland Transport This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience, says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. Weve taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk. Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. 'The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us,' says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. 'With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return – but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. 'This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Road Access Restored To Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Auckland Transport (AT) has completed the construction of a new section of road to restore access to the renowned Manukau Heads Lighthouse, following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Manukau Heads Road was rendered impassable after a significant landslip displaced 90,000 cubic metres of soil, equivalent to 36 Olympic swimming pools, down an 80-metre hillside. With the old route assessed as unstable and too costly to repair, AT has constructed a new section of road 20 metres away from the slip site to ensure safe and reliable access. 'This solution allows us to reconnect the area while addressing long-term safety and resilience,' says Alan Wallace, Group Manager Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals. 'We've taken steps to stabilise the surrounding land and reduce future risk.' To mitigate future landslip risks, AT implemented several preventative measures: Stormwater culverts were installed to redirect water away from the slip site. The top of the slip was trimmed and replanted with grass and native vegetation to improve the slope's stability. Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall and high winds on the exposed terrain, the project was completed within the expected timeframe of four to five months. The $4 million repair project was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Ltd, reflecting a strong commitment to restoring vital infrastructure in the Franklin region. "The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for us," says Bill Deed, Chairman of the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust. "With no public access, we saw a dramatic drop in visitors, which meant no donations or community engagement. It's been hard to maintain momentum and income for the upkeep of the lighthouse when people couldn't reach it. 'Now that the road is open again, visitors can return - but we're also playing catch-up. We've cleared a lot of overgrown vegetation, but there's still work to do to get the site back to its best. "This lighthouse isn't just a historic landmark overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour, it's a cornerstone of west Franklin's tourism. It draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we welcome seeing life return to the site.' A key focus for AT is making our new infrastructure more resilient to climate change by raising it higher or making it stronger and protecting existing infrastructure from floods and slips. We continue to make progress repairing storm-damaged roads across Franklin and South Auckland. Of the 30 affected sites, 25 have now been completed, with one currently under construction.
