On the Eastern Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, Whakatane is a spectacular sight. It is dotted with stunning sandy beaches stretching over 54 km of coastline. From here, tourists can easily venture out and explore the soothing views of East Cape and Motu Rivers. The adventure junkies have plenty of recreational opportunities to indulge in. Jet boating, game fishing, hunting and horse trekking are just to name a few. But, those who want to experience Whakatane’s beauty in their own laidback manner, sightseeing is the best bet. Visiting Ohope Beach, White Island and Ohiwa Harbour will be truly exciting.
From whale watching, dolphin swimming and helicopter tours to visiting national park, you can do it all during Whakatane tours. To know more about these in details, follow the listing below.
About 6 km from Whakatane, there is an enchanting beach called Ohope. Ohope beach is spread over 11 kms with golden sand and is a safe destination for swimming. You can also go to Otarawairere Beach for pure fun and relaxation.
Other than these two, Coastlands and Matata also make for interesting choices. Ideal for family picnics, surfing, swimming and fishing, these beaches are best to relax and enjoy leisure time.
White Island or Whakaari is an ideal destination for scenic flight tours or boat rides. 48 km away from the mesmerizing Whakatane town, this place is well known for its active volcanoes and the acid lake. Here, you can try scuba diving also.
This splendid harbor is a home to numerous seabirds. On its sandbanks and mud tracts, you can see them in plenty, especially during summer. In addition, it is a good place for water skiing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing.
The rich forest surrounds the Te Urewera National Park in the east and the Kaingaroa pine plantations in the west. Extended over 55,000ha by northern Murupara and southern Napier-Taupo highway, the park features magnificent varieties of trees, rivers and wildlife.
Set up in 1954, the park is characterized by lakes and dense forest. Lake Waikaremoana and Lake Waikareiti are the main highlight of the park. It’s a perfect spot for adventure and wildlife viewing.
Nestled amid Toi hills, this walkway is a gateway to Whakatane's natural splendor. Winding through Ohope Beach and Whakatane, Nga Tapuwae o Toi walkways take you on a journey to several reserves, bush lines and coastline. This 5 to 7 hour long trip offers you enticing views of the Maori fortified village also.
Whakatane features an array of parks and reserves. Sullivan Lake Park, Kohi Point Scenic Reserve, Mokoroa Bush Scenic Reserve and Waiewe Camellia Park are most popular among them. Set up in 1967, Sullivan Lake Park is a five-hectare long lake and reserve. The main highlight of this park is the wildlife that includes swans, shags, ducks, herons and others.
Waiewe Camellia Park is famous for the vast collection of camellias and rhododendrons. Kohi Point Scenic Reserve near the Kapu-Te-Rangi Historic Reserve extends over 154 hectares bush land covering Whakatane Heads’ ridge, Otarawairere and some part of Ohope Beach. Mokoroa Bush Scenic Reserve is spread over 325 hectares of bush land. It features an excellent walkway winding through Mokoroa Gorge and Ohope Beach before White Horse Drive.
There are other significant historical parks, reserves and other sites in and around town which offer you excellent heritage and nature’s views. Some of these include Kapu-Te-Rangi Reserve, Papaka Redoubt Reserve, Puketapu Lookout and Wairere Waterfall. However, if you want to enjoy natural beauty along with some adventure or activities, Coastlands Pacific Park, Walker Road and Thornton Beach Domain are the ideal deals.
In and around Whakatane, you will come across numerous walking trails that provide you incredible glimpses of its wildlife, rural lifestyle and the abundant nature, etc. Most trails are two to four hours long. Some are fraught with challenges, while some are great for leisure tours. If you want to try walking tours here, the choices include Hastings Hut Route, Marawaiwai Track, Pakihi Heads Track, Tokenui to Te Waiti Route, Te Waiti Nature Trail, Pakihi Hut to Motu Road and Te Waiti Hut Walk.
The list is endless, as there are plenty of other trails also that you can try. Some of these are Little Manganuku Track, Pakihi - Te Waiti loop route, Waimana Valley tracks, Whakatane River tramping tracks, Ngutuoha Nature Trail and Whakatane River area routes. You can also pick your choices between Tauranga Loop Track, Koranga Track, Te Waiti to Lagoon Route, Moanui, Nikau and Wairata Track.
On the splendid The Heads, this playground is a perfect place for both kids and adults with plenty of entertainment and fun options.
This museum and gallery exhibits the great work of regional, national and foreign artists. It’s a perfect destination to take a glance at the interesting Maori and European historical background.
From here, you can see several celestial bodies through the telescope. Subject to climatic conditions, the observatory operates on Tuesday and Friday.
Awakeri Hot Springs is located near many beaches, rivers, lakes, Te Urewera National Park, Mt Edgecumbe and Mt Tarawera. Being at this place, you can enjoy the serene surroundings of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. The place abounds with exciting mineral spas, thermal pools, power tent sites, motels and cabins. Hence, you will find plenty of options for an enjoyable stay here.
This leisure center is a must see in Whakatane. It features spa pools, heated pool and gym among other facilities.
This is a unique attraction in Whakatane. Nestled amid Te Urewera National Park, this certified organic vineyard can be reached in one hour from the town. It is filled with various accommodations as well.
This 400 acres farmland is fun exploring on dirt cart or horse back. On the way, you will see numerous hills and a trout stream.
The playground includes fascinating adventure and recreational spots. Its Tracks Skate Park is quite popular with family tourists, especially children.
In the small town of Whakatane, you will get excellent recreational opportunities in addition to sightseeing options. The adventure lovers can opt for diving, kayaking, camping, jet boating, hunting, game fishing and horse trekking. Ones who prefer a bit relaxed tour can choose to spend time on sandy beaches, swimming and dolphin watching. Scenic helicopter tour is another interesting thing to explore. Further, there are some exotic restaurants and bars for the food connoisseurs.
Whakatane has been inhabited since long time. The origin of the Māori fortified village or Māori pā can be traced back to around 1200 CE when the first Polynesian colonies were set up. Māori tradition suggests that in about AD 1150 Toi-te-huatahi, who was also called Toi-kai-rakau, came here to look for Whatonga, the grandson. When he couldn’t find him, Toi-kai-rakau constructed a pa on the summit of the headland here that commands the panoramic views of the town. That area is now popular as Whakatane Heads.
If you are planning an air travel to Whakatane, catch a flight from Wellington or Auckland to Whakatane Airport. Four flights from Auckland and one from Wellington operate to this destination. It takes about 45 minutes to reach. However, if you are in Rotorua or Tauranga, opt for a drive. The distance is just about 100 kms. You can reach here from Auckland and Hawkes Bay as well. The drive is 4 hour long. Gisborne, Taupo and Hamilton are 2.5 hours and Wellington is more than six hours away from the town.
Apart from this, you can avail coachline services from Ohope, Opotiki, Kawerau or Tauranga to reach Whakatane.
