Koekohe Beach – Also known as Moeraki Boulders Beach located in the Otago region on the southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island (Aotearoa in Maori).
In total, several hundred boulders are scattered along the Koekohe beach on an area of about three hundred meters. Some of them lie on land, on a sandy coast, some in the sea.
This stretch of beach is under the protection of the government as a science reserve. These rock formations are not the only stones of this size and shape.
Along with mesmerizing boulders, the coastal area is home to many stunning species of algae, invertebrates, shells, bryozoans and ascidians and sponges that wash down onto the beach. One third of the 850 species of seaweed found in Aotearoa cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Every year 100,000 tourists come to Koekohe Beach to see the geological wonder – stone balls formed 60 million years ago.
Access : Coordinates: -45.345275, 170.826061 / The road to Koehohe Beach (the distance to Moeraki village is 75 km) follows the picturesque Otago Bay. The length of the beach, dotted with ancient stones, is approximately 300 meters.
Highlights :
- The boulders of Moeraki : Got their name from the name of the village near which Koekohi – Moeraki beach is located.
- In New Zealand, there are all sorts of antiscientific theories that explain the origin of the Moeraki boulders: A theory explains the appearance of boulders by the fact that aliens landed on the coast of Moeraki.
- The Maori also has a beautiful legend about the appearance of boulders. According to this legend , the boulders of Moeraki are nothing more than petrified supplies – pumpkin, potatoes, baskets of food – that poured onto the shore after the wreck of the mythical Arai-te-uru canoe.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities,the area boasts a beautiful beach and charming sunsets. / sunbathing and swimming.
Go next : Hampden,a small town in North Otago / Dunedin ,the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand / Moeraki is a small fishing town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
