Cathedral Cove has been closed to the public due to an ongoing landslip and rockfall risk.
Department of Conservation Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly said a large landslip occurred at the popular cove in the last 24 hours, and with visitor safety the priority, the path to the beach has been blocked to prevent access.
Boaties and commercial tour operators have also been asked not to land on the beach until further notice, although they are welcome to still enter the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve around the cove. Caution is advised as high sea swells are expected with the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle.
“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly,” Mr Kelly said. “We appreciate how popular Cathedral Cove is with visitors and our community, but the risk of landslide, combined with more wild weather, leaves us with no choice.”
Mr Kelly said the cove is prone to rockfall and erosion, especially during bad weather.
Geotechnical engineers will assess the site, but it will remain closed for at least a week.
“We consistently monitor the geology at the site, and we are concerned the large landslip that has occurred in the last 24 hours signals a greater chance of more erosion there,” Mr Kelly said.
“The slip is active with more material falling to the beach.”
See www.doc.govt.nz/news for updates.
