Cook's Cove

Cooks Cove walkway takes you through bush and open grassland to the clifftops that lead into Cooks Cove. The walk takes approximately 2 and a half hours return and is a total distance of 5.8 km.

The walkway, like the Cove, is named after the English explorer, Captain James Cook who arrived in the Tolaga Bay area in 1769. Cook and his crew were circumnavigating New Zealand in their vessel, the Endeavour, and spent some time in Cooks Cove (Opoutama). They dug a well and records kept indicate they were impressed with the Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation, near the cove.

The Tolaga Bay area had already been inhabited by Māori for many centuries. The main iwi (tribe) that lived at the Bay and used Cooks Cove for fishing and gathering other seafood was Te Aitanga a Hauiti.

With comfortable walking shoes all levels of fitness can do the walk.

This walkway is closed for the lambing season each year from 1st August until the start of Labour Weekend. The walkway may not be used to gain fishing access to Pourewa Island or to fishing grounds (fishing equipment and firearms are prohibited).

For more information about the Cove and track, visit the Department of Conservation (DOC) website.