Drives & Walks

Take a scenic detour from SH1 for a picturesque pitstop and the pleasures of a remote beach town. Turn off at either Domett or Cheviot (depending on direction) and within minutes the road leads into pretty off-the-beaten-track countryside emphasized by its lack of cell reception. Cathedral Cliffs, located between Domett and Gore Bay, is a popular lookout point where one can stretch the legs. Pull over at the signpost to find a large wall of spiraling clay pillars in the distance. The geographical spectacle is a result of soft sandstone eroding over time. The detour eventually leads to Gore Bay, a sleepy town with colourful baches and a small beach, perfect for a stroll.

Cathedral Cliffs and Gore Bay can be accessed from SH1 from either direction. Motorists heading north can turn right at either Hurunui Mouth Road; those heading south can turn left from Cheviot onto McQueen Road followed by a right onto Gore Bay Road.