Moeraki Boulders
Moeraki Boulders
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The mystical Moeraki Boulders captured at dawn.
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4.0
1,888 reviews
Excellent
795
Very good
727
Average
289
Poor
54
Terrible
23
elessarfan
Mannheim, Germany28 contributions
Nov 2019
I first visited Moeraki in 2008. It was a peaceful place back then and few tourists traveled there. At night one could see blue penguins come ashore easily. I revisited in 2016 and felt sorry for the place. No focus on nature anymore, three big car parks, a cafe and someone actually wants you to pay an entry fee to "their" beach. If it is someone's beach, then it's the Maori's and not some other bloke's! We didn't pay and accessed from the outer car park by foot.
Moeraki Boulders itself are amazing.
Moeraki Boulders itself are amazing.
Written 30 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy Travels at Felicity 888
Auckland, New Zealand55 contributions
Jan 2021
The mysterious boulders on Koekohe Beach. We went early in this place just to see how amazing these huge spheres are. Adults need to give a two-dollar coin donation while kids can visit for FREE.
My kids had fun writing on the white sands and hopping from one giant sphere to another.
My kids had fun writing on the white sands and hopping from one giant sphere to another.
Written 2 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki
Bures, UK332 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
We stopped here on our journey between Dunedin and Christchurch (it’s about an hour from Dunedin).
It’s a lovely place to stop, there is plenty of parking and the boulders are just a few minutes walk from there. The cafe is also great and the milkshake was huge and delicious.
It wasn’t too crowded when we were there (about 10am) but I imagine that it gets really busy at times. Definitely worth a slight detour.
It’s a lovely place to stop, there is plenty of parking and the boulders are just a few minutes walk from there. The cafe is also great and the milkshake was huge and delicious.
It wasn’t too crowded when we were there (about 10am) but I imagine that it gets really busy at times. Definitely worth a slight detour.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,047 contributions
Mar 2020
Natural spherical rocks located on a beach just off Hwy 1 about 30 minutes south of Oamaru and an hour north of Dunedin.
We were travelling south to Dunedin and after several visits to New Zealand without previously seeing the boulders they were on my list.
There's a free DOC car park just as you come off the highway and it's a 10 minute walk along the beach from there to the boulders. Alternatively you can continue along the road to the Moeraki Boulders Cafe and walk a couple of minutes from there to see them. The latter has a notice advising that the access route has been created on their private land and is for cafe patrons to use - others are requested to donate $2 into an honesty box for upkeep. There is no enforcement of this "donation" so those who are short of $2 don't need to worry. There are brushes and a hose set up here to clean your shoes after being on the beach which is a plus.
We parked at the cafe (and donated) before taking the fast track option. The tide was coming in so already some of the boulders were partially submerged but those nearest to the cliff were still accessible. I imagine at high tide it would have limited attraction.
We fortunately arrived there at a time when initially there were fewer visitors so we got a chance to see them without a bus load of people climbing on them for a selfie. This practice became quite entertaining as the tide came in further and some "adventurous" types took their chances getting on top of the boulders in between tidal surges.
I got caught out myself earlier, posing amongst the boulders. As my wife shouted "wave" I thought she meant to give her a wave for the photo just as a breaker crashed in round about my legs. Ah, that kind of wave. I was later able to change out of my damp shorts in the car park by which time my wife had stopped laughing.
The boulders apparently formed millions of years ago under the cliffs and eventually have been exposed due to erosion. The Maori have an explanation which differs and some may think they are off the set of a sci-fi movie. As can be seen from photos some are quite sizeable, some are still "emerging" and others are crumbling due to exposure to the sea - and overenthusiastic tourists perhaps! Even if you have no interest in geology it is a fairly unique sight and worth a stop.
In a more recent development following the earthquake in 2016, similar type boulders were exposed at Ward Beach (near Ward, south of Blenheim) as the coastline was raised. We didn't know about this at the time otherwise we may have gone for a look at these too when we were in that area.
We were travelling south to Dunedin and after several visits to New Zealand without previously seeing the boulders they were on my list.
There's a free DOC car park just as you come off the highway and it's a 10 minute walk along the beach from there to the boulders. Alternatively you can continue along the road to the Moeraki Boulders Cafe and walk a couple of minutes from there to see them. The latter has a notice advising that the access route has been created on their private land and is for cafe patrons to use - others are requested to donate $2 into an honesty box for upkeep. There is no enforcement of this "donation" so those who are short of $2 don't need to worry. There are brushes and a hose set up here to clean your shoes after being on the beach which is a plus.
We parked at the cafe (and donated) before taking the fast track option. The tide was coming in so already some of the boulders were partially submerged but those nearest to the cliff were still accessible. I imagine at high tide it would have limited attraction.
We fortunately arrived there at a time when initially there were fewer visitors so we got a chance to see them without a bus load of people climbing on them for a selfie. This practice became quite entertaining as the tide came in further and some "adventurous" types took their chances getting on top of the boulders in between tidal surges.
I got caught out myself earlier, posing amongst the boulders. As my wife shouted "wave" I thought she meant to give her a wave for the photo just as a breaker crashed in round about my legs. Ah, that kind of wave. I was later able to change out of my damp shorts in the car park by which time my wife had stopped laughing.
The boulders apparently formed millions of years ago under the cliffs and eventually have been exposed due to erosion. The Maori have an explanation which differs and some may think they are off the set of a sci-fi movie. As can be seen from photos some are quite sizeable, some are still "emerging" and others are crumbling due to exposure to the sea - and overenthusiastic tourists perhaps! Even if you have no interest in geology it is a fairly unique sight and worth a stop.
In a more recent development following the earthquake in 2016, similar type boulders were exposed at Ward Beach (near Ward, south of Blenheim) as the coastline was raised. We didn't know about this at the time otherwise we may have gone for a look at these too when we were in that area.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thetravellingkiwifam
4 contributions
Mar 2019
We were visiting my nieces and nephews in Dunedin so took a trip out with the kids to view the boulders. We went for a lovely walk along the beach which on a sunny day is beautiful. The boulders however I thought were a bit underwhelming the story behind them is good but they were just large round stones to me. Not sure I would visit them a second time. Loved spending time on the beach with my nieces and nephews and you are able to purchase food or and ice block from the cafe to finish off a lovely day.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard R
Whangarei, New Zealand1,043 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
These may appear to some as being merely a collection of uninteresting rocks that happen to be situated on a pretty beach however there is more to this story than that. They are a unique phenomenon and a definite quirk of geological structure that warrants a stop to investigate. Their mere shape is interesting in itself but the structure and materials of the boulders is fascinating. The fact that they are located on yet another stunning NZ beach is only peripheral but nonetheless pleasant.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott Marks
Auckland Central, New Zealand341 contributions
May 2020
When you turn off the road, DO NOT then follow the big signs and turn left, as that road will take you to a cafe/souvenir tourist trap that wants you to pay just to use their stairs down to the beach.
INSTEAD drive straight down the road to a public and free access carpark, which is poorly signposted.
It's about an extra 100m walk, but it's flat and easy.
Make sure you go at low tide or there won't be much to see. The boulders also look particularly cool at sunrise or sunset when they cast shadows.
INSTEAD drive straight down the road to a public and free access carpark, which is poorly signposted.
It's about an extra 100m walk, but it's flat and easy.
Make sure you go at low tide or there won't be much to see. The boulders also look particularly cool at sunrise or sunset when they cast shadows.
Written 14 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael T
Formby, UK1,130 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
These large round stones are worth seeing if you are passing the area but they certainly weren't on my top 10 New Zealand sights, in fact they probably wouldn't make the top 30 so I can't score them higher than 4. They attract a lot of people who are oblivious to anyone else. If you've sat on the rocks and had your picture taken, get off and let someone else have a go. As such it was annoying trying to get a decent picture.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gemma R
Wellington, New Zealand350 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
You have 2 options for visiting the boulders, easy access is via the info centre/cafe/gift shop (cheap as and wonderful food just for the record) for a gold coin donation in an honesty box and you use their maintained path and stairs directly down to the boulders. 2nd option is free access via a road and carpark further down from the cafe but would be atleast a 30 min walk from there to the boulders. We choose to pay the gold coin and have nice easy direct access. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Beautiful spot. You need to time your visit with the tide out otherwise you will be disappointed with the boulders under the tide. Plenty of beautiful spots for photos. A stunning natural playground that you shouldn't miss if you are in the area
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane B
Te Awamutu, New Zealand812 contributions
Nov 2020
Pondered this for sometime they are round boulders and good photo opportunity definitely worth a stop if you or passing or travelling down from Oamaru to see noting really is a 15 minute 1/2 an hour at the most photo stop, they do have a cafe and a highly rated restaurant close by but the boulders them selves aren't worth much more time. Probably deserve a good rather then average but a very good not sure. Seen them not on a list of things to do again.
Didn't post photos as there are already enough
Didn't post photos as there are already enough
Written 20 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there public transport to Moeraki boulders from Dunedin? Also the cost
Written 11 November 2020
Hi. Atomic Travel operates a bus from Dunedin to Moeraki Boulders x4 times a week. Tickets cost $30-$40 and takes a 1 hour.
Written 12 November 2020
We bring our luggage to Moeraki Boulders and then go to Oamaru. Is there any place for us to keeping our luggage when visiting the rocks?
Written 18 March 2019
Not sure about the buses, but if you can rent a car for the day, that's definitely a good option for this attraction: easy drive, coastal views, be at your own pace.
Written 3 June 2017
Flying from Syd..where would be my 1st stop?
Written 6 October 2016
Depending where you are landing and how much time you have. Christchurch is a must see & do, so is Auckland. Each island has so much to experience. If i lived closer i would go back and just concentrate on 1 island at a time. If you have limited time make sure you get to the TeAnu glow worm caves and Milford sound both spectacular in their own right, on the south island.
Written 6 October 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Hi, I plan to visit Katiki Point Lighthouse to watch yellow-eyed-penguin near Moeraki Boulders.
Do you know what time this area close on Nov?
Thanks.
Written 30 March 2015
A Tripadvisor member
I was already thaugh the answer of this question.
For more info please visit Katiki Point Lighthouse Q&A page.
Thankyou.
Written 9 April 2015
Hi, I would like to visit this place. Do you know if there is any day tour from Dunedin that will go to this place? Thanks.
Written 25 February 2015
Yes there is - there is a 3 to 4 hour tour - check out awesometours website in New Zealand and look at tours, then day-tours. Had to put it like this because Tripadvisor will not allow HTML or website links in answers. Hope that helps. Regards.
Written 26 February 2015
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