Moray Boulders

Lolomiina: 15.04.2024

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, I can't influence the weather, but I have to say that even though the weather forecast predicted rain, the weather was cloudy but only really rained on one day. The weather forecast also showed me that it would rain and be bad weather for the next two days. Since Oamaru isn't particularly worth visiting when it's raining (there are no indoor activities/museums or similar), after a day there I drove further south towards the "big city" of Dunedin. For anyone wondering how the city is pronounced: . I only learned that from the local radio station.

On the way from Oamaru to Dunedin I made three more stops. I had chosen these the day before, but my hopes of seeing them were relatively low, as I was expecting rain. Luckily, the weather held up, apart from a few drops, and I was able to see my three stops in the dry.

Stop number one was the Moeraki Boulders or Moeraki Boulder Beach. Here, the spherical stones are scattered around the beach, partly whole and partly parts, and more are being uncovered over the years and by the sea. To me, it all looked more like earthbenders had been at work and had done a bit of training. ;)

"According to local Maori legends, the stones are the remains of eel baskets, gourds and sweet potatoes that were washed up on the shore from the wreck of the legendary canoe Arai-te-uru. According to these legends, the cliffs that extend into the sea from Shag Point are the fossilized remains of the boat's hull and a nearby rocky outcrop is the body of the captain." (Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, there is no further information on the beach or on the stones about the stones, how they are formed and what significance they have in Maori culture. I think that's a real shame and it would be really nice if there were not only a café and a gift shop, but also background information shared.