The Lees Road carpark near Mautohe Cathedral Cove will be closed to the public while walking access reinstatement work is underway.

Last week, DOC announced the start of physical work at the famous cove, with arborists set to remove dozens of hazardous and exotic trees.

The Lees Road carpark is on private land, and the landowner has traditionally allowed visitors to access neighbouring public conservation land from the location, said a DOC spokesperson.

"With arborists on site from this week, DOC and the adjacent landowner have agreed to close the Lees Road carpark until further notice.

"The landowners support the temporary closure of the carpark, which will be part of a wider active worksite for the walking access reinstatement."

The closure means the McHand’s Lookout Track will be off-limits to the public for the next few months while walking access to the cove is reinstated.

DOC said McHand’s Lookout has been an alternative visitor option while the walking track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove has been closed.

Te Pare Pa remains open to the public and is not impacted by this closure.

Visiting Mautohe Cathedral Cove is a marine-only experience, and visitors are strongly urged to stay out of the recreation reserve while walking access reinstatement is completed.