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Complete guide to visiting the Moeraki Boulders (New Zealand) with Photos

Last updated on August 21, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Moeraki Boulders New Zealand are one of the most fascinating geological features on Earth. The round rocks seems to have been created by giants. So they are at the source of scientific fascination and Maori myths. Below is my guide to help you make the most of your visit.

Moeraki Boulders New Zealand Travel
Quick Navigation
What are the Moeraki boulders and why visit?
Best time to visit the Moeraki Boulders - Tide
Planning Tips - Moeraki Boulders New Zealand
View of Koekohe Beach from above
Walking around the Moeraki Boulders - Photos
Having fun at the Moeraki Boulders Beach
Photographing the Moeraki Boulders
Things to do around Moeraki - Penguins and Rocks

Navigate back to the complete New Zealand Travel Guide

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What are the Moeraki boulders and why visit?

What are the Moeraki Boulders?

The Moeraki boulders are one of the most intriguing geological formations that I have seen so far (with the giants’ playground in Namibia).
They are huge boulders set up on the flat sandy Koekohe beach.
Most are 1 to 2m in diameter but some of them reach 3 meters in diameters and weigh several tonnes!
What makes them so impressive (apart from their size) is that they are all almost perfectly round.
There are over 50 boulders visible on the beach. One of the most surprising landscapes in New Zealand (see my top 50)

What are the Moeraki Boulders

What are the Moeraki boulders made from? Geology introduction

It is believed that those boulders were formed by precipitation of calcite in mudstone over millions of years on the seabed. The phenomenon is called concretion. It starts with an organic nucleus (shell, fish-bone, or piece of plant or animal).Then sediments aggregate around it (layer upon layer) cimented by complex chemical reactions with minerals.
They formed 65 to 13 million years ago! 

How did those giant boulders get on the beach?

When the land rose from the sea,  the erosion did it works and revealed these giants, letting us touch old Earth history!
Below you can see one that is still in the cliffs. The erosion as not yet fully revealed it.

Moeraki boulder geology

Why are some of the Moeraki boulders cracked or opened?

You will several boulders with craks or completely opened;
Young cracks are called septaria.
They are several potential causes:

  • Earthquakes
  • Gases are released when the center decompose and expand
  • The concretion of sediment dried
What are the Moeraki boulders made from? Geology introduction

What does Moeraki mean?

Moeraki is the name of the village nearby (and not the name of the beach, by the way: it is Koekohe beach).
It used to be a whaling station.
But I have not found more information on the history behind the name.

Moeraki Boulders Myth

Maori legend tells that the boulders are remains of calabashes (kumaras and eel baskets) that washed ashore and were turned into stones after the legendary canoe, the Araiteuru, was wrecked nearby.

Moeraki Boulders facts

And let's complete this introduction with a few facts that might interest you:

  • There used to be many more boulders, but some of the smaller ones have been taken (now it is illegal)
  • The largest of the boulders is estimated to weigh 7 metric tons
  • Scientific believe that it took around 5 million years to create 1 boulder
  • The world learnt of the boulders only around 1814. Before documentation was limited.

Best time to visit the Moeraki Boulders - Tide

The absolute best time to visit the Moeraki boulders is between Low tide and Mid tide and at sunrise if you can.
However they are fascinating and visible all day long.

You can check the tide times here

Moeraki Boulders Tides

To convince you here are some photos with:

  • The Moeraki boulders at low tide:
Moeraki boulders at low tide
  • The Moeraki boulders at descending mid tide:
moeraki boulders at mid tide
  • The Moeraki boulders at high tide:
Moeraki boulders at high tide

Can you see the moeraki boulders at high tide? The answer is yes. But more than half of them will be completely in the water.
Be careful with your camera and be ready to run away from water.

Sunrise and Sunset

Then there is the question of the best light.

I visited during the day, at sunrise and at sunset.

  • At sunset
    You will be almost alone.
    The sun goes behind the cliffs so you are loosing the light. But you could still have colorful clouds pas sunset. 
    The photo at mid -tide above was take at sunset
  • During the day
    The place is packed especially at low tide. It gets hard to take pictures of the boulders without anyone. But that gives a sense of scale
  • At sunrise
    This is the best time
    You will be surrounded only by photographers
    The lights can be really wonderful
Best time to visit the Moeraki Boulders sunrise

Moeraki boulders in Video

Below is a short video giving you an idea of what it looks like to visit the Boudlers on Koekohe beach:

One of the most fascinating beaches in New Zealand (see my list)!


Planning Tips - Moeraki Boulders New Zealand

Before I share more pictures of the amazing boulders (one of the best places in South Island - see my list), here are some practical information to plan your visit to the boulders.

Moeraki Boulders Location

  • Located in South island, on the East Coast
  • Between Christchurch and Dunedin
  • And more precisely between the towns of Moeraki and Hampden on State Highway 1
  • Dunedin to Moeraki = 1h
  • Oamaru to Moeraki = 30min
  • Christchurch to Moeraki = 3h30
  • Queenstown to Moeraki = 3h15
  • On the map of South island below you can see the Moeraki boulders just above Dunedin
New Zealand South island Map Moeraki boulders location

The Moeraki boulders are included in my eBooks along with practical maps to plan your road trip:

New Zealand road trip eBook Cover S
  • 12 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 200 scenic locations in NZ 
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 285+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more

Visiting the Moeraki Boulders

There are 2 carparks to access the boulders: the café's carpark and the public carpark

The public carpark:

  • getting there - past the train rails and continue straight
  • walk -  you are directly on the beach and have to walk 5more minutes on the sand
  • no facilities
  • Entree fee - free access

The café's carpark

  • getting there - past the train rails, turn left
  • walk - a wood staircase takes you from the parking to the beach where a lot of the boulders are. You can go for a stroll on the beach and find more of them. There are over 50 boulders.
  • Toilets, café, souvenir shop
  • Cost - There is a 2 dollars donation box 
Moeraki boudlers cost entry

Moeraki Boulders accommodations

There are no accommodations at the beach itself.
However there are some in Moeraki and Hampden, including a holiday park. They are only 5 to10 min drive away. If you want to stay close to the boulders to see them at sunrise, I recommend booking early.
Otherwise Dunedin is only 1h away and Oamaru 30min away

I stayed at the Moeraki Boulders Motel:
It was clean and spacious. The owners are really nice. Not modern but conveniently located. See my photos below. Check out price and availability

Moeraki Boulders accommodations 1
Moeraki Boulders accommodations 2
Moeraki Boulders accommodations 3

Other suggestions:

  • Three Bays - Rental apartment with a view! - Check out pictures and availability
  • Noah's Boutique accommodation for a retreat feel - Check out pictures and availability
  • The Moeraki Boulders Kiwi Holiday park with a good choice of accommodation formats - Check out pictures and availability

Planning to rent a car in New Zealand? Check out the local company Snap Rentals

 I selected it myself and paid my rental in full. 

  • They were very nice and responsive, they pick you up and drop you off at the airport
  • The car I rented was in perfect condition
  •  In addition, they have all-inclusive insurance packages with AAA roadside assistance, which means I didn't have to worry (I think it's worth the price)

Check out the cars and prices


View of Koekohe Beach from above

I normally love viewing landscapes from a higher point of view. So I always look for them.
However I must admit that at the Moeraki Boulders beach, views are better from the ground.

There are 3 main viewpoints:

  • From the terrace of the café
    This gives you an idea of the walking distance to the Boulders
Views - moeraki boulders from above
  • From the staircase going down
    You get a quick view of the boulders are you walk down the staircase of the coffee shop
Views - moeraki boulders from above 2
  • From the Moeraki Boulders Walk
    There is an official walk along the beach and on the cliff above. It is officially closed because the staircase at the end (past the boulders) is not stable anymore.
    However you can still walk the forest part (starts on path left of café) and get a quick view of the boulders from the platform. This is not much; It is not worth it if you don't have the time.
Views - moeraki boulders from above 3

Walking around the Moeraki Boulders - Photos

It is so impressive to see all those boulders perfectly round on such a flat classic beach. It is hard to get your mind around the idea of how they were created.
There is quite a spread of them, so you can move along where there are less people.

Some are perfectly round, others are cracked or opened.
Erosion is creating slightly different structures.
Every single one is fascinating.

Moeraki boulders New Zealand photo 1
Moeraki boulders New Zealand photo 2
Moeraki boulders New Zealand photo 3
Moeraki boulders New Zealand photo 4
Moeraki boulders New Zealand photo 5

Having fun at the Moeraki Boulders Beach

During the day you will see a lot of pictures where people are having fun with them.
The first time I visited, I was with a group so it was great for pictures.
However the second time I was alone so less options...

Group shot at the Moeraki boulders, New Zealand
Trying to push a Moeraki boulder, New Zealand

Several tonnes, no kidding?

Getting creative at the Moeraki boulders, New Zealand
Photographing the Moeraki boulders

Photographing the Moeraki Boulders

As I wrote earlier, the best time to photograph the Moeraki boulders is at sunrise during low to mid-tide.
However you can still go when it is high tide. If this is the case, be careful. Tidal waves can jump suddenly so be ready to run 🙂

Photographing the Moeraki boulders 1
Photographing the Moeraki boulders 2

Things to do around Moeraki - Penguins and Rocks

Since sunset is not the best time to visit the boulders, I can suggest 2 alternatives:

  • Walk to the Katiki lighthouse and to the headland. You might be able to see penguins coming back to shore at dusk
    Note: last 5km are gravel road + 20min walk
    Gate closes at 7:30pm
    Free access
    Very windy (bring warm clothes to wait)
Things to do around Moeraki - Katiki lighthouse
  • Drive to the victorian town of Oamaru. They have a setting to see the penguins come to shore (with benches and explanations)
    For a fee, booking required
    Bring warm clothes to wait
Things to do around Moeraki - Oamaru penguins

And if you are fascinated by geology, the boulders are actually part of the Vanishing World Trail. You ca spend a day following it, or just pick a few spots for half a day.
I recommend the Elephant Rocks and the museum at Duntroon.

Vanishing world trail map

Vanishing world trail map

Elephant rocks

Elephant rocks


Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?

PREVIOUS: 

KAIKOURA DOLPHIN SWIM

NEXT: 

TUNNEL BEACH, DUNEDIN NEW ZEALAND

Tourism New Zealand Travel Guide

And you, what intriguing geological features have you seen?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renuka says

    May 8, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    Amazing natural wonder you got to see! Really interesting!

    Reply
    • Claire Robinson says

      May 12, 2014 at 11:23 AM

      Thanks Renuka

      Reply

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