The next morning we went over to check out the other free campsite at Oraka Reserve which was quite busy too. View was less dramatic than Opoutama Beach. Had a look around Mahia Beach and some Maori art exhibition in town before moving on to Gisborne for lunch.


Oraka Reserve


Mahia Beach Holiday Park


Didn't know there was a walk up the Mokotahi Hill alamak


Cancelled Tolaga Bay Holiday Park and had to find somewhere to stay for two nights on 30th and 31st. Scrambled for accommodation in Gisborne; many places were full due to the annual New Year's party Rhythm & Vines. Managed to get a double room for one night at YHA. This was considered "luxurious" especially after camping for several days. There was even a small couch in the room for us to sit and charge up our devices! *danced around the room*



A 45 mins drive from Gisborne brought us to Rere Falls. I was a bit intimidated seeing throngs of youngsters walking around almost naked and surprised to find a short queue of crazy teenagers waiting at the top of the waterfall to jump off. Needless to say we were overdressed around bikini babes and half naked boys.



After watching a free Summer Olympics of kiwi diving, we went on to Rere Rockslide. There was another long queue of young people with swim boards of all shapes and sizes waiting to zoom down the natural water slide. We didn't have anything to slide on and since I couldn't swim, could only watch the fun by the side.



Group slide on inflatable air mattress


Hanging on!


"I can't brake, get out of my way!"


Whale rider's turn while others climbed back up for another go


Hanged around for 45 mins and then made our way back to our YHA "presidential suite"