Moeraki Boulders Are One of New Zealand’s Most Picturesque Spots

Photo by Lode Lagrainge on Unsplash

New Zealand is home to many natural wonders that will take your breath away, and the Moeraki Boulders are a perfect example. They lay scattered across Koekohe Beach on Otago coast, leading to many legends about their origin that intrigue tourists who come to see them.

Moeraki Boulders look like something you only get to see in sci-fi movies, and their unusual texture led to their common nickname, New Zealand’s Dragon Eggs. They’re located on New Zealand’s South Island, between the towns of Moeraki and Hampden, and they’re best accessed by car from the scenic State Highway 1.

These spherical stones were shaped by wave action and coastal erosion from coastal cliffs, but this scientific explanation didn’t stop the locals from coming up with mythical tales about their origin. According to Māori legends, they represent the remains of the wreckage of the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru.

Each of Moeraki Boulders is up to two meters high, and they’re one of those rare tourist attractions that look even more impressive in person. Some of them even have a hollow interior, leading to some pretty hilarious tourist photos over the years.