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Motukiekie Beach (New Zealand) – Access + Tips + Photos

Last updated on August 1, 2022 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Motukiekie beach, New Zealand, is one of the lesser known beaches, and yet it is one of my favorites. 
Accessible only at low tide, it is a wonderland for both photographers and geology-lovers.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to this off the beaten path wonder.

Motukiekie beach New Zealand Travel

Table Of Contents
Why visit Motukiekie Beach?
Planning tips and Map - Motukiekie beach, New Zealand
How to access Motukiekie Beach Walk
Best time to visit Motukiekie beach - Tide and sunset
Geology and Photography wonderland
Seastacks - Motukiekie rocks photography
Starfish colony NZ at Motukiekie
Return walk
View from above - Tide
Attraction near Motukiekie
Other great beaches for photographers

In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Why visit Motukiekie Beach?

Is Motukiekie beach worth it?

Absolutely, if you enjoy photography.
It is a gorgeous beach with:

  •  impressive sea stacks 
  • many layers of rocks with different shapes, colors and textures as they have been sculpted my the sea
  • cliffs covered by forest (with an Hawaiian feel)
  • packs of starfish stuck on those giant rocks

And there is nobody there!!! I was alone to explore it.
Despite the bad weather when I visited the beach, I must say that it was really a fantastic surprise.
I just wished I had had a little bit of better light to take better pictures for you (my technical skills are limited in such conditions). It is truly one of the best beaches in New Zealand for photographers!

Why visit Motukiekie Beach New Zealand

Motukiekie Beach

About the name

Motukiekie is a Maori name:
Motu means island. Kiekie is the name of a native plant.

You can actually  found a Motukiekie Island in the Bay of Islands (New Zealand North Island).
But this Motukiekie beach is in South Island.


Planning tips and Map - Motukiekie beach, New Zealand

Motukiekie beach location - Map

  • Located in South Island, West Coast, off the beaten track
  • South of the famous Punakaiki (Pancake rocks)
  • The only way to see it is with a rental car
  • Punakaiki to Motukiekie beach = 20min drive
  • Greymouth to Motukiekie beach = 20min
  • I recommend parking at the GPS coordinates 42°18'53.2"S 171°16’46.9"E along the road
  • Below is a map to give you an idea of where it is located
Location Motukiekie beach New Zealand map

Need to rent a car in New Zealand?

Renting car New Zealand tips

See my 36 practical tips
to choose the best car to rent 
for the roads in New Zealand
and find the best deals

+ read more

or directly see deals on my favorite platform

Visit tips

  • Plan 2 hours
  • From the side of the road where you parked to the seastacks, you have to walk around 30min (I am a slow walker)
  • Go before low tide to be able to come back to your car without your feet getting wet
  • You have to walk on wet sand but it is flat and easy, not rocks to climb
  • No facilities at all

Motukiekie beach and many other fantastics places to photograph are included in my eBooks, to help you plan an unforgettable road trip:

Be overwhelm by the beauty, not the planning!

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

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  • 6 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 110+ scenic locations in NZ South Island
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 190+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more

Where to stay nearby

I think it is a good idea to spend a night nearby to have some flexibility around the tides.

  • If you want to stay in a city, spend the night in Greymouth - Check out the best rated accommodations
  • If you prefer to stay close to nature, I recommend staying at Punakaiki - Check out the accommodation options
  • I stayed in punakaiki at the Te Nikau Retreat. My apartment had a great view over the forest towards the sea (it was the only one with see view). Loved it! - Check out photos and availability

Looking for the best place to stay in New Zealand?

best places to stay in New Zealand Travel Guide

See my selection of the best areas to stay in New Zealand to enjoy beaches, attractions, culture, history...
+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

How to access Motukiekie Beach Walk

There are a lot of discussion about how to access it.
There is a short but very dangerous path down the cliffs that is not recommended (with ropes).

But there is also a very easy path (a little longer). The beach is not difficult to access at all!
Just park along the road around 42°18'53.2"S 171°16’46.9"E.

Access to Motukiekie Beach NZ 1

From there it is a tiny slope to get on to the beach. If you have some difficulties with high steps, walk around there are some stops easier than other to get down.

Access to Motukiekie Beach NZ 2

And then you walk on flat sand:

  • Around 10min until you reach the first fascinating rocks - and you photography wonderland starts
  • Around 30min until you reach the seastacks up-close
Access to Motukiekie Beach NZ 3

Best time to visit Motukiekie beach - Tide and sunset

LOW TIDE
You must absolutely start your walk before low tide.There is no way around it.
And you must plan the time to walk back to your car before the tide goes up as it does not leave any beach to walk on...

SUNSET

And if you can choose the day you visit, try finding the day when low tide and sunset are at the same time (it is on the West coast).


Geology and Photography wonderland

As you walk on the beach, you will reach some rocky areas with a large variety of shapes, colors and texture.
I took way too many pictures even though the weather was not on my side.
So bring plenty of memory cards.

Geology

I have tried to find some geology info on the area but can't find any sorry.
All that I found is that where mountains meet the sea, you can find flat beach platforms at their base. They formed when sea level was higher and appeared as they sea level dropped or when raised by movements of the earth's crust.

Photography

Below are a few shots I took along the way. But they don't do justice to the place.

Geology and Photography Motukiekie beach 1
Geology and Photography Motukiekie beach 2
Geology and Photography Motukiekie beach 3

Don't forget to get up close to the cliffs to see the layers of sediments. Absolutely fascinating!

Geology and Photography Motukiekie beach 4

Seastacks - Motukiekie rocks photography

The main attractions of Motukiekie beach are the seastacks. There are many of them and I love the different shapes they have depending on the angles.

Seastacks - Motukiekie beach photography 1

With the low tide, you get reflections on tidal pools to play with in your photos.

Seastacks - Motukiekie beach photography 2
Seastacks - Motukiekie beach photography 3
Seastacks - Motukiekie beach photography 4

And keep track of your own trip!

New Zealand travel journal road trip

Starfish colony NZ at Motukiekie

The other stars of Motukiekie are the starfish.
There is a large colony living there.
Get close to the giant seastacks and you will find may of them resting during the low tide.

Just make sure you keep an eye on the water, as you can be surprised by tidal waves and get your feet wet.

Starfish at Motukiekie beach 1

Generally they are in clusters. This one than I found alone, seemed to be in bad shape.

Starfish at Motukiekie beach 2
Starfish at Motukiekie beach 3

A few facts about starfish:

  • They are also called sea stars
  • They are not fish at all. The are marine invertebrates
  • Most species have 5 arms, but some have up to 40 arms! The ones I saw had around 12 arms
  • They are carnivores (eating clams, shells and mussels)
  • They can regenerate part of their bodies
  • They do not have a brain and do not have blood - seawater circulate in their body

Return walk

As you walk back you will see the rocks with new angles and you have a great views of the mountains dropping into the sea: The Paparoa range.

Due to the mild climate, the coast is covered with broadleaf forest with nikau palms. So it has the tropical feel of Hawaii.

Motukiekie beach picture 1
Motukiekie beach picture 2
Motukiekie beach picture 3

View from above - Tide

You can also see the seastacks from above.
Just South of where you have parked to start walking, once you have driven up, you will find a small parking area with picnic tables. Stop there and climb to the edge of the cliffs to see them.

In the picture below you can see how the whole beach is covered by water at high tide.

Motukiekie beach high tide
Motukiekie beach low tide

Attraction near Motukiekie

Do not miss Punakaiki / the Pancake Rocks nearby (which are better seen at high tide, so it is great for your timing):

Punakaiki rocks

Other great beaches for photographers

My other favorite beach to photograph was Wharariki. It combines seastacks, reflections, sand dunes and seal pups!
Check out my article

Wharariki beach

But there are many other with interesting features to photograph:

  • Tunnel beach
  • Moeraki boulders
  • Castlepoint
  • etc... see my article about the best beaches in New Zealand for photographers

Want to see more of New Zealand?

  • New Zealand North Island vs South Island - read article
  • New Zealand in 50 photos - read article
  • 20 Best waterfalls in New Zealand - read article
  • Things to do in New Zealand North island - read article
  • Things to do in New Zealand South island - read article
  • New Zealand hidden gems - read article
  • How to plan a New Zealand road trip - read article
  • New Zealand 2 week itinerary - read article

Planning a trip to NZ?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your perfect trip around New Zealand!

New Zealand road trip eBook Cover S
  • 12 easy-to-plan maps
  • 200  pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 285+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


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