Te Rerekawau (Kaiate Falls) Walk
Te Rerekawau (Kaiate Falls) Walk
Maps
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Information
The upper falls are a series of small cascades, framed with ferns and dense vegetation. There is a choice of swimming holes at the upper falls and a larger hole at the lower falls.
Views of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui from near the carpark look through a gap at the mouth of the valley.
Access
From Welcome Bay, follow Welcome Bay Road. Kaiate Falls are signposted along Waitao Road after 6.5km. Continue 5km and turn left into Upper Papamoa Road. Te Rerekawau Scenic Reserve is signposted on the left after 1km.
From Te Puke, follow Te Puke Quarry Road and Upper Papamoa Road for 9.3km.
The track starts from the parking area, which has toilets.
Track
The track is mostly metalled, even and aided with steps on steeper sections.
The main track loops around the falls and interconnects with several link tracks between opposite sides of the loop.
From the carpark, bear left, ignoring the first track coming in on the left, which leads to Upper Papamoa Road. Continue bearing left, passing two junctions with tracks to opposite sides of the loop, to the footbridge at the base of the upper falls (7minutes). A track connects to the return side of the loop.
Be very careful of the slippery rocks.
The descent to the lower falls is quite steep and exits at the base of the falls. The rocks here can be extremely slippery (5minutes).
It takes approximately 20 minutes to climb to the carpark, passing the three link tracks.
Geology
The 10-metre-high lower falls have formed a substantial plunge pool and eaten back the ignimbrite cliffs to form a shaded basin.
Details
30 mins to 1 hour
Moderate walk
DOC Managed
Walking track
Contact
Reviews
Rachel Tarapata
Ranking: 10/10
This is a beautiful place whether you want to take in the view and or take a dip. I went with my kids and grandchildren we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The older kids of course jumped off the side scary at first but then kept going for more. Id definately recommend anyone go for a visit. A bit of a hike but was well worth it
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Mike Fricker
Ranking: 9/10
19Sept18. The falls and tracks good but the car park is small and the turn in at the bottom of the road is tight. We had a 7.7m motorhome. It looked like some of the young ones there had camped overnight.
Aneta Hambergeroua
Ranking: 8/10
It is about 30 minutes from Te Puke by car. Lovely place to swim and jump about 5 metres! But very cold water!
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Jakub Ira
Ranking: 9/10
If you love jumping into the water, this place is good for it.
Laura
Ranking: 10/10
You could jump in the water!
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Julia Schabenberger
Ranking: 10/10
Secret place, great waterfall.
Gassat
Ranking: 8/10
Nice falls and you can jump in the water (about 7 metres high).
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Enrique
Ranking: 10/10
Best waterfall, awesome picnic area
Lars Haf
Ranking: 10/10
best waterfalls yet, nice native bush. Needs more publicity, Highly recommended.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
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