Discover Historical Moeraki
Moeraki is a quaint village located on the North Otago Coast, just two kilometres south of the famous Moeraki Boulders. Lying at the north end of Moeraki Peninsula, the village is sheltered by The Point, which also features a scenic north-facing beach and harbour. Moeraki has a fascinating history of its own and serves as the gateway to the breathtaking Kātiki Point along Lighthouse Road. The village is also an excellent stop for waterfront fish and chips and coffee.
Historical Significance of Moeraki
The name Moeraki translates to "a place to sleep by day," reflecting its long history of Māori settlement, dating back to the 1300s, when moa were hunted in the area. By the 1700s, a large pā was established around Kātiki Point.
European sealers arrived in the early 1800s, leading to interactions with the local Māori, including an incident in the infamous War of the Shirt from 1810 to 1821. This conflict, marked by a series of violent encounters, coincided with the near extinction of seals on the Otago coast due to overhunting.
Early European and Māori relationships improved, and in 1836, John Hughes and a group of Europeans and Māori established a whaling station, marking the beginning of a mixed community. Although the whaling industry was short-lived, it laid the foundation for a town comprising both Pākehā and Māori. A monument commemorating this history can be found at the reserve and park above the beach. For panoramic views, you can drive or take a steep walk to the historic whale station viewpoint atop Moeraki Point.
Fish and Chips
In the 1870s, there was an attempt to develop Moeraki as a major port for North Otago, complete with a railway siding. However, landslips made this plan impractical, and the anticipated traffic was diverted to Ōamaru. Despite this setback, Moeraki evolved into a significant fishing village, complete with a fish processing plant.
Today, the village maintains its fishing heritage with a few remaining boats. You can enjoy fresh fish and lobster meals at the Moeraki Tavern and The Fishwife, a harbourfront outdoor café. They even provide water guns to fend off persistent seagulls. Don't be surprised to see a seal loitering nearby!
Getting to Moeraki
The village is approximately a 35-minute (40 km) drive south of Ōamaru on State Highway 1, or 65 minutes north of Dunedin (77 km). From State Highway 1, turn east onto Hillgrove Moeeraki Road and follow the signs to the small town centre.
This part of the Otago Coast has many other places of interest to visit, including Trotters Gorge, Katiki Beach, Hampden Beach, and Te Hakapureirei Beach.
