The Moeraki Boulders New Zealand – Big Balls of Mud

If painted orange, the Moeraki boulders New Zealand with their their hard calcite exteriors and muddy centres, could easily be mistaken for huge Jaffas  (although definitely too large for rolling down the aisle at movies).

On a previous visit I watched amazed, as a Korean tourist, dressed in stylish slacks rolled shin high, long sleeved shirt and jacket, jump from a boulder, only to sink thigh high in the freezing water. 

Laughing, he shook his fist in the air striking a triumphant pose.

There are deceptively deep holes immediately surrounding the boulders.

 

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Children love the chance to jump on the mini boulders and shout – Ship Ahoy! 

Pack Wellies for the kids.

Photographers with tripods set wait for something – most likely tide related – to gain the perfect shot of the spherical boulders.

But the Moeraki Boulders have been reproduced since 1848 when W. Mantell painted them. Your can see the painting today hanging in the National Library of New Zealand.

 

Where are the Moeraki Boulders of New Zealand

They are along a stretch of Koekohe Beach, near the town of Moeraki, New Zealand. The town of Moeraki is 45 minutes north of Dunedin and 20 minutes south of Oamaru in Otago in the South Island.

 

 

Moeraki Boulders Facts

There are similar boulders in other areas of New Zealand and the World, but the ones at here, ranging from .5 of a metre to 3 metres in diameter and weighing up to a whopping 7 tonne, are well known and very popular. 

There are scientific explanations about ocean sediments 60 million years ago that formed these Concretions, but Maori Culture weaves a story portraying them as eel baskets washed ashore from a legendary canoe, the Araiteuru, wrecked at nearby Shag Point (Matakaea).

The boulders lie secreted in the shoreline, like baby teeth, biding their time, waiting for the ocean to wash them from their hiding holes in the coastal cliff and roll them like giant marbles onto the beach.

 

Moeraki Photography

Every cloud has a silver lining and New Zealand’s South Island hosts plenty of cloudy days. They are perfect for capturing boulder pictures and reflections in the muddy sand.

Arrive before low tide to set up.

 

Moeraki is a Family Friendly destination.

A visit to Koehohe or Moeraki Beach is suitable for the whole family. 

Children look for wet and wild adventures, without wondering at the process that started millions of years ago.  Ancient sea floor sediments were the conception point for the boulders so magically delivered to the shoreline today.

Up above lies Morekai Boulders Cafe  – the perfect place for anyone who would rather view the beach from above. They also have a well stocked gift shop to while away some time in. The Cafe has a range of Starters, Main Meals and Burgers, with an emphasis on seafood, with one vegan (pumpkin and Kumara soup) and lots of Gluten Free options.

 

Accessing Koekohe Beach (sometimes referred to as Moeraki Beach)

Patrons can access the beach from the cafe.  A small donation is requested, presumably for upkeep of the track.

It can also be reached from the public carpark at the Moeraki township end of the beach. There had been rain prior to our last visit and a small creek was running, making access a little difficult. I do suggest trying this option anyway as it has worked well for us previously.

 

Packing List for a visit to the Boulders

Unless you have studied the tides and arrive exactly to plan (low tide is best) you may need to spend some time on the beach so it’s best to be prepared.

• Hats, Raincoats/umbrellas
• Water and Food
• Wellies for the kids
• Bathers if the water temperature is swimming friendly
• Towels
• A change of clothes for children
• Camera and tripod if required

 

Other Things to do near Moeraki New Zealand.

Visit the cute little town of Moeraki. It is only 7km by road from the boulders. If you look out across the bay to the south when at the boulders you will see Moeraki on the peninsula.

Have lunch and a beer at the Moeraki Tavern (a typical Kiwi style pub). I recommend their great tasting full-size seafood chowder and there is a cosy fireplace for winter or a great deck for summer outside.

Or eat at Fleurs Place, a more upmarket restaurant with a good following – it wasn’t open during our visit.

Drive to Moeraki Lighthouse to see yellow eyed penguins, seals and wild rabbits.

BYO Fishing and Kayaking or book a trip on Moeraki Fishing Charters.

Coastal walk from Moeraki to Hampden – a distance of a little over 8 km. Take the Millennium Track from Moeraki township to Moeraki Boulders and continue at low tide, along the beach to Hampden.

Read about our New Zealand South Island Road Trips:

A loop North from Christchurch

New Zealand South Island West Coast

Queenstown to Christchurch (including Moeraki Boulders)

Visit Lanarch Castle on the Otago Peninsula

 

Moeraki Boulders Map

Moeraki Accommodation

Camping and Caravanning at Moeraki Village Holiday Park. It has great views of the Bay and you can walk to the Moeraki Tavern.

Moeraki Accommodation Self-Contained. Airbnb have 28 places available in Moeraki. Remember you can use the Airbnb link in our sidebar to receive a great discount as a first time user.

BOOK YOUR MOERAKI ACCOMMODATION HERE.

Gumtree Farm Stay near Oamaru is a working sheep farm and a wonderful place to experience genuine Kiwi farm life. 

BOOK GUMTREE FARMSTAY HERE.

At home on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland I walk along the beach every night, scanning the coastal cliffs looking for signs of boulders waiting to be born. I guess there were different sediments at work millions of years ago in our part of the world.

Have you seen spherical boulders on the beach before? If so where?

This post is linked to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, where there are always interesting travel photos from across the world to be found.