5 Reasons You Should Skip Rere Rockslide and 5 Reasons its a Must-Do

I recently took the plunge and rode down one of New Zealand’s most unique attractions: the Rere Rockslide. Here are some reasons why I think you should go, and a few why it may be something to take off your list.

5 Reasons to Pass it Up:

1. The water is cold.

 

Like, really cold. Have you ever put your finger in an ice cube tray a few minutes before it turns solid? That’s about how cold the water is at Rere. And no, it doesn’t depend on the season since its fresh water in a little stream.

 

2. Sandflies will bite you

 

I don’t know why these things are called Sandflies since they actually live in the dirt of the forests here in New Zealand. Nonetheless, these things are everywhere around the rock slide. They look like gnats, and because your feet will be numb from the cold water, you don’t realize they’re biting you until you see your feet bleeding.

 

The top of the slide offers a pretty view as well

 

3. The walk from the bottom is slippery and dangerous

 

The rockslide is a natural phenomenon, which makes it really cool. But also, because this is 100% Pure New Zealand, that means there are no man-made steps or safety precautions. This means you are walking up wet rock to get back to the top.

 

4. It’s out of the way. Like, really out of the way.

 

It’s about 100 km, or 45 minutes outside of Gisborne. Aside from a small waterfall and the rockslide itself, there’s really nothing else in Rere to see or do.
Rere’s other attraction: Rere Waterfalls

 

5. BYOB – Bring Your Own Board

 

A lot of places advertise that you can rent boogie/body boards at the site, but that wasn’t the case when I was there, so I would be prepared with your own. However, if you do bring one, make sure its a cheap one, as the rockslide is known for busting them up pretty badly.

 

5 Reasons it’s Not to Be Missed:

 

1. It is fun!

 

Once you start going down the slide, you forget how numb your feet are. The slide is exactly as exciting as the viral videos make it out to be.

 

2. There’s nowhere else like it in the world

 

Honestly, if you’re in New Zealand, this is one of those things I would count as a “must do,” since this is unique to the country. (Unlike, say bungee jumping or skydiving.)

 

3. It’s free

 

Aside from the cost of the boogie board and the petrol to get you there, the Rere rockslide is completely free.

 

It doesn’t look too daunting from here, but when you’re there in person, its actually a bit unnerving

 

4. Your friends will judge you if you skip it

 

The moment I told people I was moving to New Zealand, I was sent this video of the Rere Rockslide by a number of people with the phrase “you have to do this.” (I am not the only person who moved here and experienced this pressure.) So really, if you’re going to come all this way, you might as well take the plunge

 

5. You’ll make new friends.

 

If you come prepared with your own board, there’s guaranteed to be someone else who wasn’t prepared and will want to borrow yours. Or vice versa. Either way, it’s a great conversation starter.

 

Me posing with our $10NZD boogie board post-slide

14 Replies to “5 Reasons You Should Skip Rere Rockslide and 5 Reasons its a Must-Do”

    1. I totally understand that! I am not a fan of the flies either or the bites they leave behind! The rush of the slide was mostly worth it though. 🙂

  1. Comparing the pro’s vs the cons .. I say I’d definitely be down for this! Sounds like an adventure that you keep with you! – Altho the sandflies scare me – I’d still love to take the ride!

    1. Yes, I don’t know if you could tell but that’s the way I felt too! The sandflies are annoying but after a week or so the bites are gone… and memories last forever or something like that. 🙂

  2. It sounds like some of our Springs here in Florida. On top of sandflies and other bugs, we have wildlife in ours as well (alligators, snakes) sometimes. Anyways, this looks like so much fun! Can you do tubing there?

    1. Well, the good news there is no wildlife in this slide other than maybe some fish. (Definitely no snakes or gators!) Yes, you can go tubing, and some people even use air mattresses! The rocks are really jagged in parts though, so I would personally recommend a boogie board for safety.

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