Gisborne Overnighter via Motu and Rere

Posted On 11 Oct 2022

Gisborne Overnighter via Motu and Rere

5 riders met up in Opotiki, 3 for an overnighter and 2 day riders.

From Opotiki it was onto the Motu Road. The 2 day riders on a DR650 and T7 were much faster than a new gravel rider on a KTM 390, an Africa Twin on road tyres and an out of practice R100GS so it was quickly just the 3 of us.

Takaputahi Road runs off Motu Road and has a DOC campsite which I wanted to check out as an option for Moto camping another weekend. The campsite looks good with a built in fireplace with bar to hang pots from, a single long drop loo and is right next to a river for water which looked good for swimming.

Motu settlement is at the southern end of the Motu Road, and just 5km out from there is the Motu Falls which are worth a look. There’s a swingbridge across the river for great views.

From the Motu Road we ambled down to Gisborne and set up camp in a local Motel, then headed into Gisborne center to check out the sights

On Sunday morning we took Wharekopae Road North out of Gisborne and past Rere Falls and the Rere rockslide.

Up to Rere Falls Wharekopae Road is sealed but still a great ride. Not far North of the falls the road turns to hard packed dirt and becomes even more excellent.