Bay of Plenty: Exploring Te Rerekawau (Kaiate) Falls

I like exploring the Bay of Plenty, and last Sunday’s mini-roadie took me to Te Rerekawau Falls (also known as Kaiate Falls). It’s in Waitao, about 20 minutes south of Tauranga. From Whakatāne, it’s an easy hour drive along the Tauranga Eastern Link (SH 2) until the turn off to Kairua. The drive is surrounded by farmland - I read that there used to be a gravel section leading to the car park, but now it’s sealed. The car park isn’t that big, so if it’s full you just have to park down the hill and walk back up.

Before the car park, there’s a track that runs along the river, don’t use this as the section that connects to the main track is now permanently closed. The track starts at the car park.

Bay of Plenty: Rock Climbing In The Mangorewa Gorge - Part 2

Even before I got into climbing, March has always been one of my favourite months, more so because it’s the start of autumn. Autumn, especially in the Bay of Plenty where it feels like a lingering summer. The bush and vast coastline is a playground you can’t help but be drawn to.

This was my second time at the Mangorewa Gorge and we somehow picked a day that wasn’t only dry and sunny, but a fairly quiet one in terms of other climbers. Last time it was only Jim and I, but this time we had Alec join us too. Jim and I drove to Alec’s house in Papamoa, then the three of us drove to the gorge together. Our small crew was growing! We decided to call ourselves the Whakatāne Climbing whanau.

Bay of Plenty: Rock Climbing In The Mangorewa Gorge

I looked up - there were three, maybe four quickdraws left on the route before the anchor. The slight wedgie from my harness reminded me that I was already closer to the anchor than I was to the ground. My arms were pumped. The sounds of the Tuis were all around, and below me I could hear the crunching of Dorritos from my climbing partner, Jim. At the pace I was climbing, he probably could have read The Lord of the Rings and I would still be up on that rock.

A Summer Tiki Tour Of Raglan

Summer in Kiwiland - what’s more Kiwi than the quintessential summer roadie? How did I decide on Raglan? I Googled where I could go rock climbing in the North Island, came across Raglan Rock’s website and planned my road trip from there. Simple as that, really. Turns out Raglan is just one of the many places on my ‘how come I’ve never been there’ gigantic list. Maybe, because I’d always considered it more of a surfing mecca, when really there’s so much you can do.

Bay of Plenty: Walk Amongst The Redwood Giants In The Whakarewarewa Forest

At over 5,600 hectares, the Whakarewarewa Forest is a giant outdoor playground - from locals walking their dogs, multiple walking trails or a day out on the MTB trails. Located just an hour from Whakatane and 15 minutes from the Rotorua CBD, it’s the kind of place where you can see so much in a few hours or spend the whole day. It’s one of the best FREE attractions you can do in Rotorua.

Discover why Ōtarawairere Bay at Ōhope Beach is one of my favourite playgrounds!

In New Zealand, as the island nation that we are, we’re definitely spoilt for beautiful coastlines. Having recently moved back to Whakatane, I decided to check out some of my favourite ‘local tourist’ spots. Having recently moved back to Whakatane, I decided to check out one of my favourite ‘local tourist’ spots. Otarawairere Bay is a hidden gem just a 15-minute walk from its more famous cousin, Ohope Beach.