Moeraki Boulders Beach

The boulders are definitely worth seeing. An absolute natural spectacle and wonderful to see. I was here once before in 2019 and unfortunately noticed a few differences this time around. Many of the boulders from back then are no longer there or have been damaged. That was a shame. It was much more impressive back then. But well... that's just nature. You can't change it. It's still always worth a visit, though

Moeraki Boulders Beach is one of New Zealand’s most iconic and intriguing coastal treasures, offering a blend of natural beauty, geological wonder, and peaceful seaside atmosphere. Located along the North Otago coast, the beach is instantly recognisable for its perfectly spherical boulders—massive stone orbs scattered along the shoreline like ancient, otherworldly sculptures. Whether you’re visiting for photography, curiosity, or simply to enjoy a unique coastal walk, this beach never fails to leave an impression. The boulders themselves are mesmerising. Some are split open, revealing intricate inner patterns, while others sit half-buried in the sand like relics emerging from the earth. They’re especially striking during sunrise, when soft light casts long shadows and brings out their detailed textures. Even on cloudy days, the moody backdrop creates a dramatic and atmospheric scene. Beyond the boulders, the beach is long, clean, and wonderfully serene. It’s perfect for a slow walk, with gentle waves rolling in and seabirds flying overhead. The surrounding cliffs and grassy headlands add to the beauty, offering great vantage points for panoramic photos. The nearby café and visitor facilities make the experience easy and comfortable, and the beach is accessible enough for families while still captivating for travellers seeking something extraordinary. At low tide, more boulders are revealed, giving visitors an even better look at their size and formation. Moeraki Boulders Beach is equal parts peaceful and awe-inspiring—a place where nature shows its artistry in the most unexpected ways. It’s a must-visit for anyone exploring the South Island’s coastline.

A great stop en route between Dunedin and Mt Cook, but not something to take a detour. I parked my car and walked a short distance to the boulders. Impressie what nature can do. Because it was low tide my wife and I walked about two kilometers northwards on the beach. Great walk. A juvenile shag showed off.

Great little place to stop off on a drive. Very cool to walk along the beach and see the boulders! How are they so round! They could almost be fake. Even on a drizzly day worth the 2 minute walk down the beach and back

Visited recently on the drive to Twizel from Dunedin. Amazing what nature can do. Also visited the cafe for coffee and cake in view of using the carpark and private access path from there to the beach to see the boulders.

Moeraki Boulders are little stunners perched on the beach it’s like 1,000,000 years ago someone rolled the dice and there they stayed. Absolutely worth the stop, the beach also beautiful we enjoyed the walk as well. Would rug up can be a little cold. There is a cafe there but it wasn’t open when we were there. Great stop after a few hours driving.

Such a wonderful thing to see in the morning with low tide tickling the boulders. Worth stopping to see. Quite haunting.

Very cool, so interesting, worth the walk from the free public car park instead of paying at the cafe.

The parking area here was pretty easy to find off the road and the walk along the shoreline is about 10-15mins one-way. The boulders seemed to be much more impressive in pictures than up close and there were a surprising number of people on the stretch of beach that houses the boulders and if you want your pic at the big one that looks like it was the model for the Death Star, you will definitely have to wait your turn. It was storming when I went, so I was even more surprised that there were as many people as there were on the beach, but even in the rain, it was an enjoyable walk along the beach. The tide was coming in, so it was fun to go and splash a bit in the waves seeing as I was wet anyway. There are some smaller boulders out in the actual water, so you have to wade out to a couple if the tide is coming in. I think there were not as many boulders as I have seen pictured and many of them were broken, cracked or in halves. It is a fun little pitstop if you are passing by on your way somewhere, but I definitely do not think this is a destination stop in and of itself.

Fun to see! Fun to see these boulders, giant Geodes, most are whole and some are split open. Not many though, so don't expect too much! Worth a stop if in the area as not found in many places around the world! They can be accessed from the beach cafe on the hill $2 each to use their path or drive further along and then walk back. Cafe and shop looked nice although didn't stay!