The Rere Rockslide, located in Gisborne, New Zealand, is a 200-foot natural slide formed by moss-covered rocks. The Wharekopae River rushes ceaselessly over these rocks, making them better than any slide you’ve ever seen.
While you can rock the ride with only your body, it’s a lot nicer experience if you carry some form of barrier between you and the rocks, such as an inflatable mattress, inner tube, bodyboard, or yoga mat. Anything is preferable to nothing. The slide leads to a large swimming pool, which is popular with both locals and tourists.
After floating down the Rere slide, go downstream to Rere Falls, a 15-meter waterfall that spans the whole of the river.
Here’s how to get there:
The Wharekopae River and the Rere Rockslide are located around 50 kilometers northwest of Gisborne. Take SH-35 west from Gisborne and turn right on Wharekopae Road until you see the Rere Falls parking lot (to your left); continue for about 2 kilometers until you reach the Rockslide parking lot (on the right). The walk to the top of the rock slide takes only a minute.
What to think about Rere Rockslide
- This is a free attraction, and you will walk from the pool to the top of the slide several times.
- Bring something with you to slide.
- It’s an attraction for people of all ages, but you’ll get up to speed quickly and may acquire scratches or bruises, so be careful.
- The boogie board has the feel of a rattling rocket, but the inflated board is a more difficult ride.
- Toilets and picnic tables are available for public use.
- It will be less busy if you go sooner or later, like with most attractions.
