Rere: Waterfall and Rere Falls Trail

Rere combines a waterfall visit with a cycling route on a much larger scale: the Rere Falls Trail is 103 kilometres long, with a stated riding time of one to three days. You can plan your trip around whether you mainly want to experience Rere Falls or include the trail as a longer tour.

Rere Falls on the Wharekopae River

Rere Falls is on the Wharekopae River. A short, easy walking track leads from the car park to the base of the waterfall; conditions at the site can change. There are toilets and a picnic area at the car park. Check before your visit whether these facilities are currently available.

The walk to the waterfall and the multi-day cycling route involve different time commitments. For a short visit, the walking track provides a manageable option. The trail, by contrast, has a stated riding time of one to three days. It is graded Grade 3. These details refer to the 103-kilometre trail and help distinguish the ride from a visit to the waterfall.

Rere Falls Trail and how to get there

On the Rere Falls Trail, the sealed road resumes shortly before Rere Rockslide and Rere Falls. This change in road surface before the two named attractions is a useful landmark on the route. The stated grade and duration add to this information: they describe the trail as a whole, not just the section near the waterfalls.

From Gisborne, the route heads west via SH 35 and then along Wharekopae Road to the Rere Falls car park. As road conditions can change, check them before you travel. This lets you consider the drive to the waterfall separately from planning the longer trail ride, without assuming the same timeframe for both.

More experiences in Gisborne District

The wider destination of Gisborne District also offers nature experiences with a different focus. Gray’s Bush Scenic Reserve preserves the only remaining example in the Gisborne Plains of the nationally rare Kahikatea-Puriri forest type. The area provides habitat for Kererū; the rare North Island kākā visits seasonally. Bird sightings are not guaranteed. The reserve also has a marked, wheelchair-accessible loop track that takes 15 to 20 minutes. Check current conditions and accessibility before you travel.

Another contrast in Gisborne District is Eastwoodhill Arboretum: its tracks range from flat, tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei. From there, you can enjoy views of the arboretum and the surrounding landscape. This range of options offers a different kind of walk from the short access track to Rere Falls and may help when choosing a regional outing.

Those interested in culture will find other distinct points of interest in Gisborne District. The Wi Pere Monument commemorates Wi Pere and his contribution to the development of the Tairāwhiti region as a Māori leader, politician and outspoken critic of government land policies. The Star of Canada is part of the Tairāwhiti Museum on the banks of the Taruheru River. Alongside nature and outdoor activities, the region offers historic memorials and a museum ship, catering to different interests.

The wharves in Gisborne District also bring together history and recreation in different ways. People fish, catch crayfish and gather shellfish at Tolaga Bay Wharf. Visitors and residents fish at Tokomaru Bay Wharf; it is also used for walking, and recreational boats berth there. The wharf is also a prominent landmark in the bay. These activities differ from the short waterfall walk at Rere and offer another way to weigh up regional interests when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gisborne

Return to the broader travel overview: Gisborne District.