Moeraki Boulders: Visit the Geological Wonder in New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders on South Island's Koekohe Beach are one of the most fascinating geological wonders in New Zealand. Learn how was Moeraki Boulders formed, how to get to Moeraki Boulders, when is the best time to visit, or where to stay. This travel guide to one of the top attractions in Coastal Otago has got you covered.
South Island of New Zealand is renowned for its natural beauty. And according to many travelers, Moeraki Boulders is one of the best places to visit, even though so far this destination is more known among locals than international travelers.
There are so many things to see and do, and there are such highlights such as Mount Cook National Park, Lake Tekapo, or famous Great Walks like Milford Track, or Routeburn Track, that it is easy to get distracted and travel only between these super-popular tourist spots.
This way, it is very easy to skip places, that according to us, deserve your attention.
That's being said, we absolutely know how hard it is to put together a New Zealand itinerary, especially if you are pressed for time.
It is simply not possible to see everything.
That's why we are very grateful, that we had the privilege to live in this wonderful country for over a year, and it gave us an opportunity to explore even destinations that are normally a bit out of focus.
To be more specific, we are now talking about the Coastal Otago area and one of its top attractions, Moeraki Boulders.
We know that Moeraki Boulders are actually well-known, but only a fraction of all New Zealand visitors decide to make a detour and see this geological wonder up close.
If you are planning your road trip, make sure to put Moeraki Boulders on your itinerary. Not only because of these tens of millions of years old rocks but also because of the wonderful scenery that the area offers.
And by the way, Moeraki Boulder Beach is only a short drive from Katiki Point, which was our favorite place in New Zealand to watch penguins in the wild.
As you can see, there are more reasons why to put Moeraki Boulders on your bucket list.
We sincerely hope that this travel guide will inspire you to visit Moeraki Boulders.
Read on, in case you want to know more about these geological formations.
We share with you tips on how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and also tell you a bit more about the history and theories about the creation.
HOW WERE MOERAKI BOULDERS FORMED
We really like visiting places similar to Moeraki Boulders.
They are intriguing, visually attractive, and we also enjoy the fact that in our over-informed society, it is still not 100% confirmed how they were formed.
Scientists believe that these boulders started to form on the seabed some 60 million years ago.
Yeah, you hear it right, Moeraki Boulders are pretty old fellas.
The process of their origin is called concretion.
As we've already mentioned, these boulders that were at that time not that smooth as they were formed by compressed mud but also shells, were first in the sea.
So how did they get on the beach?
Simply (although we cannot imagine it), during the millions of years, the land has risen from the sea, and these formations emerged above sea level.
But that was not all.
Now was time for the process of erosion.
Elements such as water and wind during the time removed all the mud and gave these boulders their, for now, final shape.
Even though most of the boulders still have a spherical shape, some of them are cracked and filled with water.
MAORI LEGEND
Almost every place in New Zealand has a Maori explanation.
When it comes to Moeraki Boulders, a Maori legend says that the boulders are remains of eel and food basket that washed ashore after the legendary canoe Araiteru wrecked off nearby, and these items were later turned into the stone.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM VISITING MOERAKI BOULDERS
Moeraki Boulders lie on Koekohe Beach, although the place is often referred to as Moeraki Boulders Beach.
And what can you expect?
Simply a pleasant walk on a sandy beach, that is dotted with about 50 large boulders of different sizes and shapes.
Some of the largest boulders have about 2 meters in diameter and weigh up to seven tonnes, which is pretty impressive.
It is even more impressive (although we definitely do not admire this behavior) that a few people from the area were able to take these huge rocks home and used them as construction material or simply as a souvenir (it is strictly forbidden now, though).
When you are on the beach, enjoy a pleasant walk along the shore for as long as you want.
Some of the boulders are grouped together right near the entrance to the beach, while some of them are scattered on the sand further away.
Moeraki Boulders is a very popular photo location, so you can expect to meet here keen photographers, especially during the sunrise or sunset.
Our Tip: In case you are in the area and still have time to spare, there is one more activity near the boulders, that according to us, is worth your attention.
The place is called Katiki Point, and you'll find here a picturesque lighthouse, but more importantly a great spot for watching yellow-eyed penguins and seals in the wild.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET TO MOERAKI BOULDERS
Koekohe Beach is located on road number 1, roughly between the towns of Oamaru and Dunedin.
The best way to get to Moeraki town is by car as it gives you flexibility, and in general New Zealand is best explored in the rental car as you can travel between points of interest without having to search public transport options.
In case you do not or cannot rent a car, consider one of the shuttle buses that run between Oamaru and Dunedin, such as Coast Line Tours.
You can also take a one-day tour - Iconic Shore Excursion that incudes other must-see attractions in the area, but the highlight is for sure Moeraki Boulders.
The access to the beach is approximately 3 kilometers from Moeraki Village.
You can decide to either walk or drive. It is good to know that there are two alternatives when it comes to parking.
The ultimate budget travelers will probably decide to park on Moeraki Boulders Public Parking.
This parking, and therefore the whole visit is free of charge.
To find the parking lot, simply turn off from State Highway 1 onto Moeraki Boulders Road.
From the car park, get on the beach, and turn left. The most famous group of boulders is approximately ten minutes' walk from here.
Another option, that will take you a bit closer to the boulders, is to park by Moeraki Boulders Cafe.
Once you turn off from State Highway 1, immediately turn left, and this road will take you to the cafe.
The parking is also free of charge, but there's a donation box, where you should pay 2 NZD for using the well-maintained boardwalk.
This boardwalk will take you to the beach. Here you have to turn left and walk for a few minutes to reach boulders.
WHERE TO STAY
Moeraki is a small town that offers a few accommodation options.
In case none of the hotels' suit your requirements, but you still want to spend the night on the coast near the boulders, consider staying in nearby Oamaru or Hampden.
The area is pretty popular, especially during the summer months, so make your reservation well in advance.
We've handpicked the best hotel in the area, to make your planning as smooth as possible.
Moeraki | Moeraki Beach Motels - You will hardly find accommodation closer to Moeraki Boulders as this one is only 100 meters from the beach. Rooms are well-equipped, and the property also offers private parking and a garden.
Hampden | Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park & Motel - Great location, amazing views, and perfect facilities make from this place one of the best properties in the area. You can stay in a cabin, or also on an adjacent campsite.
Oamaru | Oamaru Backpackers - This cheaper hostel offers both private rooms and dormitories, a shared kitchen, and a common area as well. The accommodation is very close to a penguin colony, and the design of the rooms is very unique as well.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MOERAKI BOULDERS
Moeraki Boulders is an all-year-round destination, but there are a few things to know as it is not wise to show up just like that.
Arguably the best time to visit Moeraki Boulders is during the sunrise.
But there is also one more thing you must consider, and it is the tide.
In general, you should plan your visit to the boulders around low tide, because when the tide is high, you won't be able to access the beach, and you will most likely see only the tops of the rocks.
The time of low tide varies, so you can check out this website and plan your visit accordingly.
Sunset is also a popular time for a stroll on the beach, even though the light is not that great as in the morning.
PHOTO TIPS
Even though we recommend visiting the Moeraki Boulders during the low tide, we have contrasting advice for enthusiast photographers.
For its beauty, Moeraki Boulders is a natural rock formation sought by many landscape photographers.
Double-check the tide chart, and visit the place after the low tide, when the water starts to fill up the beach, so the boulders will be partially surrounded by the water.
If you want to create a long exposure effect, you will need a few things.
For the best result, we recommend you bring a proper tripod, ND filter and circular polarizer filter.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
