Hahei and Cathedral Cove

Hahei is an attractive beach fringed with pohutukawa trees and drifts of pink shells at the northern end. Offshore islands provide something of a breakwater, making this beach ideal for swimming, boating and fishing.

The coastline to the north and the offshore islands form the boundaries of a marine reserve, making this a popular destination for diving and kayaking. Reefs, caves, archways and soft sediments provide the ideal habitat for a variety of plants, fish, molluscs and crustaceans.

At the southern end of Hahei beach, the Te Pare historic reserve is the site of an ancient Maori pa (fortified village).

From the north end of the beach, a one hour walking track leads along the cliff top and then descends to the stunningly beautiful Cathedral Cove. Here a gigantic arched cavern passes through a white rock headland to join two secluded coves. The cathedral-like arch gives whole area an air of grandeur. The beach is sandy with shady pohutukawa trees along the foreshore - a perfect place for a picnic and a swim.

A little way off the beach at Cathedral Cove is a large pinnacle of pumice breccia rock known as 'Te Hoho'. Over centuries this has been sculpted by wind and water - it now looks like the prow of a large ship steaming into the beach.

Hot Water Beach

Naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through the sand at the appropriately named Hot Water Beach.

Near the rocks at the southern end of the beach, you can dig your own spa pool in the sand - start digging two hours either side of low tide. It's a strange but very pleasant feeling to be lying in a pool of hot water just metres from the comparatively cold sea.

If you have a suitable digging implement, bring it with you. Otherwise you may be able to hire a spade from the local general store.

From the hot water area, the long sandy beach stretches north and curves east under a headland. Here you?ll find sheltered and secluded spots for quiet, sleepy sunbathing.

For surfers, Hot Water Beach has good beach breaks in moderate easterly swells. However the presence of strong undertows means this beach is often dangerous for swimming.

Colville and beyond

In pioneering days, Colville was a busy timber milling town. Then in the 1970s it became a magnet for hippies drawn to the natural beauty and isolation of the area. Today Colville is a quiet country town serving a local community of farmers and artists.

North of Colville, the road winds along the western shoreline where the Moehau Range (Sleeping Wind) rises steeply from the sea. At the western tip of the peninsula, Port Jackson (Poihakene) is a long, spacious beach that is popular for camping and fishing. Fletcher Bay, situated at the north-east tip of the peninsula, is rich with legends of shipwrecks, mariners, gold and gum digging. Between them, Cape Colville looks out on the Watchman as well as Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands. You need to return south to Colville Bay and cross the range to the eastern side to explore Port Charles, Waikauwau Bay and Kennedy Bay.

Most of the bays have tent camping sites. The farm park camp site at Waikawau Bay, for example, has access to a sweeping sandy beach. The beach is good for swimming, diving and fishing. In the breeding season it is home to New Zealand dotterel and variable oystercatcher birds.