Moeraki Boulders
Te Kaihinaki
Giant spherical rocks scattered across Koekohe Beach, up to 2 metres in diameter; a geological wonder of the Otago coast.
The Moeraki Boulders lie on Koekohe Beach, about 75 km north of Dunedin and roughly an hour's drive along State Highway 1. Dozens of nearly perfect grey spherical boulders are scattered across the sand. The largest are about 2 metres in diameter and weigh several tonnes. Some have tortoiseshell-like cracks, and others have split open to reveal calcite veins inside. They are concretions that formed in seafloor mudstone around 60 million years ago and gradually rolled onto the beach as the sea cliffs eroded. In Māori legend, they are the gourds and baskets scattered when a long-distance voyaging canoe sank. The most boulders are visible at low tide, and the light at sunrise, falling on the stones and seawater, is best, making it a popular spot for photographers. A café-side path near the car park leads straight down to the beach (a small maintenance fee may apply), or you can walk along the sand from the public car park in about 15 minutes. Nearby, the Moeraki fishing village is famous for the Fleur's Place seafood restaurant. You can also continue north to Oamaru to see Victorian-era Oamaru stone buildings and little blue penguins.
Opening hours
All day (mind the tides)
Nearby sights
- Katiki Point Lighthouse
- Totara Estate
- Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
- Ōamaru Public Gardens
- Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony
- Victorian Precinct
- Steampunk HQ
- Forrester Gallery