Motunau Crab Fossils

Motunau, like Glen Afric, has fossil crabs. This time they are more prevalent amongst the beach cobbles - so low tide is the best option when hunting for these fossils. The main variety found here are the Spider crabs. Look for well rounded concretions. Break open these concretins with a sharp wack with the straight edge of a hammer of chisel. The best place to look is south amongst the cobbles below the the cliffs.

How to get there - turn off SH1 +/- 1km north of the Greta Valley town. Turn right into Motunau Beach Road. Follow this road (+/- 17km) to the township of Motunau. Drive around to the mouth of the stream to The Parade road and park up on south end of the road. The collecting beach is in front of you. Look carefully as you stroll from the carpark to the beach. The top pictured crab was found within meters of the carpark.