TE REREKAWAU  (KAIATE FALLS)

 

Walking Time       up to 1 hour return

 

A pretty bush filled ravine where the Kaiate River drops over ignimbrite bluffs in a series of cascades and waterfalls combine to create the magic  which is Te Rerekawau Falls.

Signposted from Welcome Bay road as "Kaiate Falls", take Waitao Road and about 4.9km up turn left at Upper Papamoa Road. The scenic reserve containing the falls is a further 1km and a vehicle track leads to the carpark. Upper Papamoa Road continues onto Te Puke.

Above the carpark a picnic area with tables and a toilet offers a good view towards Mt Maunganui and the port of Tauranga.

The walking tracks are well formed , although quite steep with steps in some places. The main track leads to the top, and then to the base of the upper series of falls. From there it crosses the stream and continues down to the base of the lower falls, where there is a popular swimming hole. Crossing the stream again the track loops back up past some lovely puriri trees and kohekohe trees. A short side track leads back to the base of the upper falls, or you may continue on the uphill track to the carpark, with a great view of the falls on the way. There is another track to the left, just below the carpark, which follows the stream back to the road bridge.

back to SHORT WALKS MAP 

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