12/08/2026. Moeraki Millennium Track/ Moeraki township to boulders. Grade 2. Hikers. Leaders: Pauline Thwaites and Paul Coffey.
Ten hikers arrived at the Moeraki Beach Reserve where we were joined by 2 others. Conditions very different from reconnoitre the week before.
Car park wet and muddy, surf pounding on an incoming tide and a brisk nor-easterly. However, the sky was dry so off we set to beat the high tide. Morning tea was taken behind shelter at the DOC car park 20 minutes or so later.
Informative signs told us local history.
Boulders formed 60 million years ago on sea floor – combination of physics and chemistry turning mud and trapped sea water into mudstone then having calcium and carbonate ions charging around inside them. Sea floor pushed up and boulders emerged from mud cliffs about 15 million years ago.
Continued to Te Kaihinaki/Moeraki Boulders via Koekohe Beach.
Not many tourists to mingle with but group photo taken.
We then took to the Forest Walk where great beach and boulder views could be had and on to the Cafe and souvenir shop. Retraced steps along beach with wind at our backs to the vehicles.
Decision made to continue walking 30 mins to Moeraki Camping ground common room for a sheltered lunch at 1pm. Thanks to Robbie and Christina for that privilege.
The walk to lunch was in sheltered bush with sea views and interpretive panels which told of Moeraki’s rich history of whaling, failed railway and port enterprises and then as a coastal resort complete with a sea bathing pool. After a warming lunch we carried on past Fleurs – resident seal keeping a keen eye on our progress – then up to Whalers Point which certainly got the legs and lungs working briefly.
Extensive restoration and planting work is being carried out in this area. Significant monument to early settlers at the point. Moeraki was founded in 1836 – one of the oldest continuously European settled areas in New Zealand. Cool wind did not encourage us to linger so headed back to township via road with excellent views to north and south to be had.
Division of group in township with the discussion of where refreshments were to be taken. Seemed a pity not to check out local Tavern so 5 went to retrieve cars and 5 retired to Tavern. We left Moeraki at 3.30 with10 km under half of our belts! A very pleasant days walk with the weather gods playing nicely and the company, as always, stimulating.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.