Whakatane sits on the coastal regions of the Beautiful Bay of Plenty, an area renowned for its warm climate, marine sports & deep sea fishing.
The north island's Whakatane is considered the sunshine Capital of New Zealand boasting an average of 2602 hours of sunshine and is renowned for it's claim of being the Kiwi bird capital of New Zealand. It is said that Whakatane was the one place in the world where you could hear the Kiwi calling from the main street and people spending time at the Whakatane Heads could hear them frequently or even see them in their backyards.
Ohope Beach is considered one of NZ’s Best Beaches offering a long stretch of golden sand combined with a warm climate. Just offshore you'll find White Island, New Zealand's unspoilt active volcanic island which offers an unparalled look at this natural wonder. If that doesn't take your fancy why not try your hand at whale watching, dolphin swimming, walking the beautiful "Nga Tapuwae O Toi" bush track or watching the rare birds at Ohiwa Harbour, the options are endless.
Opotiki is a district of diversity ranging from stunning beaches and beautiful coastal vistas to secluded valleys and crystal clear mountain streams.
Opotiki sits in a beautiful natural environment, situated close to the Pacific Ocean coast and the Raukumura mountain range. Here you'll experience a wealth of activities including world-class fishing, diving and hiking. There are also local rivers the Waioeka and Otara which pass through the township and are frequently occupied with kayakers, definitely an enjoyment on that hot summers day.
The eastern Bay of Plenty has plenty to offer the visiting tourist, from the ocean to the land to the rivers in between.
"Whakatane is considered the sunshine Capital of New Zealand boasting an average of 2602 hours of sunshine"
HORSE TREKS - Whakatane
There are a variety of scenic Horse treking options available throughout Whakatane. Enjoy your day meandering through Whakatane's beautiful native bush.
Treks can range from half an hour to 4 days and pricing can vary between $35 to $195.
Photo courtesy of Ian Trafford
BEACHES & SURFING
- Whakatane/ Ohope
There are a few beaches to enjoy in the Whakatane which are popular with
families and surfers alike, use the maps link above for directions.
Ohope Beach: A nice beach with good facilities. It has a strong residential base with good patronage. The beach is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing.
Thornton Bar: A beach consisting of dark & light sand, situated on the western bank of the Rangitaiki River mouth. Thornton Bar has a quick incline into the ocean and just offshore there is a bar that is formed from sediment moved by the river mouth.
Waiotahi Beach: A golden sand beach 5 kilometres in length. The beach attracts good crowds during the summer months, the beach has minimal facilities.
VINEYARDS
There are a selection of vineyards throughout the Whakatane area where you can taste their selections of wines.
Always an enjoyable day out, spend your day relaxing in the bay of plenty climate whilst sipping many a delectable option of wine, just be sure to either choose a tour guide or find an alternative option to driving.
The best way to find winery tour service providers is to visit the local information centre.
MURIWAI'S CAVE - Whakatane
Muriwai's Cave (Te Ana o Muriwa), one of the most sacred and historically significant sights in Whakatane, which once extended 122m in to the hillside and sheltered 60 people including a famous seer Muriwai.
Now partially collapsed, the cave is one of three landmarks including Wairere Falls and a rock in the harbour-mouth that Toroa was told to look for by his father Irakewa, when he arrived in the Mataatua waka.
Muriwai is a loved and honoured ancestress of the Mataatua tribes whose mana has endured down the centuries.
Location: Head out to the Whakatane Heads, opposite the boat ramp car park you'll find a small cave named for Muriwai.
Price: free
Hours: 24
TE MANUKA TUTAHI MARAE - Whakatane
The wonderfully carved 1875 meeting house was dismantled In 1879 and shipped to Sydney, it then spent 71 years in the Otago Museum from 1925, before being returned to the Ngati Awa in 1996.
Here you'll discover the extraordinary story of the house & marvel at the beauty of the ancestral carvings.
Location: Mataatua Te Mānuka Tūtahi, 105 Muriwai Drive, Whakatāne
TE PAPAKA & PUKETAPU - Whakatane
Behind Whakatane, on the clifftops you'll find two ancient Ngati Awa pa sites – Te Papaka and Puketapu – from these there are sensational outlooks over Whakatane.
Location: Access to both tracks is at the intersection of Seaview and Hillcrest roads, above the town centre
Price: free
Hours: 24
POHATUROA - Whakatane
Pohaturoa is a large rock outcrop where baptism, death, war and moko rites were performed, moko is the maori term for tattoo. The rock is tapu (sacred),
In 1840 the Ngati Awa chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi here for which there is also a monument to the Ngati Awa chief; Te Hurinui Apanui.
Location: Take State Highway 30 out of Rotorua for about 45 minutes, turn left into state highway 1 and travel 3 and a half miles.
Price: free
Hours: 24
WHAKATANE MUSEUM & LIBRARY
- Whakatane
The Whakatane Museum & Gallery hosts an impressive array of artfully
designed displays on early Maori and European settlements in the area.
There is also a varied program of international and New Zealand exhibitions.
Location: 11 Boon St Whakatane 3120
Hours: Mon – Fri - 9am – 5pm / Sat & Sun - 10am – 2pm
Price: Free
Photo courtesy of lincoln.ac.nz
WHITE ISLAND - Off Whakatane Coast
White Island appears on the horizon as a thick plume of smoke rising from the Pacific Ocean - the first visible sign of one of New Zealand’s most fascinating natural attractions.
A closer view of this remote volcanic island - from the coastline - reveals a lunar landscape with an eerie mist rising from its centre.
As it continually puffs dense gas and steam, New Zealand’s only active marine volcano is a magnet for the thousands of tourists each year who come from all over the world to experience its unique beauty.
There are a variety of tour operators to choose from which can take you to view the island either by land or air.
Location: East Coast, adjacent to Whakatane Beach. Take state highway 30 out of Rotorua, follow it all the way to Whakatane.
Price: range from $95.00 to $1,000.00
Photo courtesy of James Shook - wikipedia
Whakatane & Surrounds Sights
Whakatane, Ohope, Opotiki.
Chris Thompson
- wikipedia, Flickr.