Moeraki Boulders

The Moeraki Boulders were one of the sights I hadn’t managed to see on my previous trips to New Zealand, so I was really looking forward to this visit. We stopped by the beach on a misty morning, which added a touch of mystery to the experience. While it was an enjoyable visit, I have to admit I felt slightly underwhelmed. I had envisioned more of the spherical boulders making a striking impression. Only a few were fully exposed, though the girls had fun climbing on one, and another, which was “broken,” revealed stunning crystals inside. Overall, it was a pleasant stop, and worth visiting if it’s along your route, but I wouldn’t consider it a must-see destination or something to plan your trip around.

Before heading to the next stop of the day, we naturally had to visit the souvenir shop—where, of course, the girls enthusiastically declared their love for every single stuffed toy in sight! But amidst the plush chaos, we managed to find a great souvenir: “The Great Kiwi Road Trip Bingo Game.”

Usually, I create my own bingo books for the girls—road trip bingo, hiking bingo, farmers market bingo, license plate bingo, you name it—to help pass the time while traveling. However, this time, I hadn’t prepared any, partly because we were already overloaded with luggage. This ready-made game turned out to be a perfect find, tailored specifically to New Zealand’s unique charm. With sheep, ferns, rugby fields, and other quintessential Kiwi sights, it was a delightful upgrade from my usual Europe-themed versions!

After about an hour, we were ready to hit the road again. Jonathan, now equipped with a flat white from the café, and the girls very excited about their new road trip bingo game to keep themselves entertained during the drive.

Katiki Point Light House

From Moeraki, we continued our journey to Katiki Point Lighthouse and explored the stunning viewpoints. This turned out to be an unforgettable experience. At the very tip of the peninsula, we encountered an incredible number of New Zealand Fur Seals (commonly referred to as Sea Lions). Our visit sparked many discussions about Sea Lions and Seals, particularly about their differences. We learned that the New Zealand Fur Seal is, in fact, classified as a type of Sea Lion—a slightly confusing but very enlightening discovery! (Ofcourse this would be the next “Animal of the week” for Lunas School assignment.)

We spent a long time watching the Sea Lions in their element—playing, swimming, climbing, sparring, and even witnessed a bit of Sea Lion romance. We were also lucky enough to spot an Albatross gracefully fishing in the sea.

Beyond the fascinating wildlife, the location itself was breathtakingly beautiful and while Moeraki might have felt a bit underwhelming, this destination far surpassed expectations and is absolutely worth the visit.

After this second stop of the day, it was time for lunch. The parking lot near the lighthouse didn’t seem very appealing, so we decided to head back toward the main road in search of a beach to park and enjoy our meal. The first couple of spots I had marked on the map turned out to be less than ideal—one was too crowded, and the other was inaccessible. Eventually, we found a perfect spot at Katiki Point Beach, offering a lovely view of the peninsula we had just visited. There, we made toasties and savored them while gazing at the sea. Though it was a bit windy and chilly outside, the cozy camper provided the perfect spot to relax and enjoy our lunch.

Doctors point Beach – Taoka’s Arches

After lunch, we continued heading south and found ourselves surprisingly close to the spot I had planned for our overnight stay. However, it still felt too early to call it a day. After taking a quick look at the site—which, to be honest, looked fantastic—we decided to keep going and set our sights on Taoka’s Arches. Initially, I had planned to visit this spot and the Mole the following morning on our way to Dunedin, but that’s the beauty of traveling in a motorhome—you can easily adapt your plans as you go.

So on we went and were amased. Doctors point beach was stunning and as we had moved a bit of the beaten path, it was wonderfully quiet. We strolled along the beautifull beach and ventured under the arches. The girls searched for seashells and played in the small streams trickling down from the cliffs into the sea. It felt like such a privilege to visit this breathtaking place and have it almost entirely to ourselves, with only a few friendly locals walking their dogs passing by.

The original plan was to visit Taoka’s Arches and then return to the site to spend the night. However, along the way, we decided it didn’t make much sense to backtrack. Unfortunately, camping overnight at Doctors Point wasn’t permitted (to ensure peace and quiet for the nesting penguins at night—a rule I actually appreciate and support). So, instead, we headed toward “The Mole,” where I now discovered there was a designated freedom camping spot.

As we pressed on, the day began slipping away faster than we realized. Somehow, we always manage to go from feeling like we have all the time in the world to being surprised at how quickly the hours vanish.

On our way to Aramoana, we decided to make a quick stop to pick up a few additions for an easy dinner. I dashed into the 4 Square, grabbed what we needed, and we continued along the coast. Not long after, we stumbled upon a charming inn nestled in a small cove. The stone building, overlooking the sea, was too inviting to pass up. We agreed it made more sense to stop there for fish and chips—hoping to also try their oysters, which were unfortunately sold out. While the food was average, the atmosphere more than made up for it. We savored a drink, played a game, and soaked in the now warm and sunny weather, enjoying the peaceful setting.

We arrived in Aramoana a bit later than planned to stop for the night (a recurring theme for us), but the decision to continue here, turned out to be a great. We found a scenic spot overlooking serene, protected wetlands, where a few other vehicles had settled in for the night. After getting the girls ready for bed, they quickly drifted off to sleep, exhausted from a day filled with fresh air and unforgettable experiences. With the girls tucked in, we relished the calm atmosphere, taking a moment to unwind and map out the next day’s journey in Dunedin.