New Zealand > South Island > Coastal Otago & Southland > Dunedin and Coastal Otago Travel Guides > Natural Attractions

Moeraki Boulders

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Marvellously huge marbles line the beach at Moeraki, 40km south of Oamaru. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand some 1000 years ago.

These perfectly spherical rocks are calcium and carbonate-based rocks from the seabed, formed about 60 million years ago. The massive marbles now sit along the tide line; some are well concealed, others more exposed.

The soft mudstone containing the boulders was raised from the seabed about 15 million years ago and changing sea levels are exposing the erosion resistant boulders.

The viewing platform, just a few minutes walk through regenerating native shrub land, offers good views of the boulders and, if you are lucky, New Zealand (Hectors) dolphins playing in the waves.

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Moeraki Boulders, Oamaru
The sea is slowly eroding the boulders
Moeraki Boulders

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Things to do: Moeraki is a charming fishing village, much quieter than its riotous past as an early whaling station. The Kotahitanga Church (1862) contains beautiful stained glass windows that were made in Rome, depicting Christ, Mother and Child and an elderly Maori leader Matiaha Tiramorehu, a local chief.
Special Features: Moeraki town itself is popular with holidaymakers in summer. The pretty red-sand cove offers safe swimming and fishing. Whether you buy a fresh catch straight off the boat, grab fish and chips, or head to waterfront seafood eatery Fleurs Place, Moeraki is worth the visit for the seafood alone.