Monster from the deep washes up on Muriwai Beach

Melissa Doubleday posted this photo to the Muriwai and Waimauku Community Group Facebook page showing a barnacle covered object that washed up on Muriwai beach. Photo / Facebook

A monster from the deep has shocked beach-goers after it washed up at Muriwai Beach.

Melissa Doubleday posted a photo of the mysterious object to the Muriwai and Waimauku Area Community Group Facebook page, asking "if anyone knows what this is??!".

The barnacle covered object washed up on Muriwai beach. Photo / Facebook

Facebook commenters then dug deep into their collective knowledge to speculate on what the object could be, with suggestions including a shipwreck, a piece of art, a Carribean walrus and a Rastafarian whale.

The object is actually a huge bit of driftwood, and is covered in what appear to be gooseneck barnacles.