The Moeraki Boulders are one of the most unique natural “attractions” you’ll find in New Zealand. Scattered along the shoreline of Koekohe Beach, they’re almost perfectly round boulders that look like something from another planet. Each boulder is around 1.6 to 7.2 feet in diameter and started forming over 60 million years ago through a process called cementation, where mud and minerals compacted together on the seafloor, slowly transforming into rock. Over time, the waves eroded the surrounding cliffs forming the boulders here today!

Note: When you’re planning your trip to the Moeraki Boulders, make sure you check the tide times. At high tide, the beach is inaccessible, and the waves come up as far as the cliff face.

How to get there

You’ll find the Moeraki Boulders between Hampden and Moeraki, about an hour north of Dunedin or 1.5 hours south of Timaru. They are super easy to find. Follow State Highway 1 and turn onto Moeraki Boulders Road where you’ll see a big sign directing you left. This takes you to Moeraki Boulders Café, where you can access the boulders over a short boardwalk. This is the quickest option as it only takes 5 minutes (250m), but you’ll need to donate $2 to walk on the boardwalk.

If you don’t want to pay, keep driving down Moeraki Boulders road instead of turning left at the cafe sign until you reach a DOC carpark. The walk to the boulders from here is free and about 15 minutes long!

There are no facilities at the DOC carpark other than a picnic bench. However, once you reach the cafe you’ll find toilets, food, a place to rest and even a giftshop. Moeraki Café claims to have “world famous seafood chowder that's the best in New Zealand”. I don’t like chowder, so I’ll let you be the judge of that.