Whakatane

New_Zealand

Whakatane is a coastal town in the eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand.

  • Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, Esplanade Mall, Kākahoroa Drive. M-F 9:00AM – 5:00PM and Sa, Su 10:00AM – 2:00PM. Museum display and exhibition galleries, with changing exhibitions. Donation.
  • Whakatāne Gardens. Park with a rose garden and a Japanese garden.

Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, Esplanade Mall, Kākahoroa Drive. M-F 9:00AM – 5:00PM and Sa, Su 10:00AM – 2:00PM. Museum display and exhibition galleries, with changing exhibitions. Donation.

Whakatāne Gardens. Park with a rose garden and a Japanese garden.

  • Nga Tapuwae o Toi Walkways. is a walkway that shows off Whakatane's natural beauties. Many locals walk or run these paths as they train for events. The walkway is a loop between Whakatane township and Ohope Beach: one side takes you along the coastline and through major reserves; the other takes you through beautiful bush settings. The total 16 km trip can be completed in 5-7 hours and can be demanding at times. Pack a rain coat and warm clothes, as the weather can change quickly. There are signposts detailing important history of the area. Some of the places are pa (Maori fortified village) sites, so please be respectful of these.
  • Ohope Beach. About 6 km from Whakatane in the town of Ohope, offering swimming, surfing and other beach activities.
  • Horse riding.
  • Golf.
  • Jet boat.
  • Hiking.
  • Diveworks Dolphin and Seal Encounters, 96 The Strand (near Information Centre, +64 7 308 2001. 0800-1630. Dolphin and seal watching or swimming. Four hour trips in the vicinity of White and Whale Islands. Fast stable boats with trained crews. All equipment supplied. A Department of Conservation concessionaire and approved by Qualmark New Zealand as a certified visitor activity. Day charters also available for inshore and deep sea fishing, diving and sightseeing. Groups up to 15. Tackle and equipment for hire. $90-160.
  • KG Kayaks. Local operators KG Kayaks run guided kayaking tours to offshore Whale Island as well as guided tours and kayak hire at nearby Ohiwa Harbour. Dolphins, orca and seals are regularly sighted along this stretch of coast. $30 1hr hire - $250 Whale Island tour.
  • White Island is an island volcano 45 km from Whakatane, and one of the most active volcanoes in New Zealand. Take a boat or helicopter trip with a guided tour of the island.

Nga Tapuwae o Toi Walkways. is a walkway that shows off Whakatane's natural beauties. Many locals walk or run these paths as they train for events. The walkway is a loop between Whakatane township and Ohope Beach: one side takes you along the coastline and through major reserves; the other takes you through beautiful bush settings. The total 16 km trip can be completed in 5-7 hours and can be demanding at times. Pack a rain coat and warm clothes, as the weather can change quickly. There are signposts detailing important history of the area. Some of the places are pa (Maori fortified village) sites, so please be respectful of these.

Ohope Beach. About 6 km from Whakatane in the town of Ohope, offering swimming, surfing and other beach activities.

Horse riding.

Golf.

Jet boat.

Hiking.

Diveworks Dolphin and Seal Encounters, 96 The Strand (near Information Centre, +64 7 308 2001. 0800-1630. Dolphin and seal watching or swimming. Four hour trips in the vicinity of White and Whale Islands. Fast stable boats with trained crews. All equipment supplied. A Department of Conservation concessionaire and approved by Qualmark New Zealand as a certified visitor activity. Day charters also available for inshore and deep sea fishing, diving and sightseeing. Groups up to 15. Tackle and equipment for hire. $90-160.

KG Kayaks. Local operators KG Kayaks run guided kayaking tours to offshore Whale Island as well as guided tours and kayak hire at nearby Ohiwa Harbour. Dolphins, orca and seals are regularly sighted along this stretch of coast. $30 1hr hire - $250 Whale Island tour.

[[White Island]] is an island volcano 45 km from Whakatane, and one of the most active volcanoes in New Zealand. Take a boat or helicopter trip with a guided tour of the island.

The two main shopping areas are along The Strand, and just before the bridge entering the town (The Hub). The Strand contains both national franchise stores as well as independent and local stores, while The Hub mainly contains national franchises.

  • Countdown, 105-125 Commerce Street. Daily 7AM - 10PM. Supermarket
  • New World. Daily 7AM - 9PM. Supermarket

Countdown, 105-125 Commerce Street. Daily 7AM - 10PM. Supermarket

New World. Daily 7AM - 9PM. Supermarket

  • Bean Café, 72, The Strand (across the road from the i-site, +64 7 307 0494. Patrick and Wendy's lovely little café; free WiFi. Coffee is roasted on-site, ultra fresh and tasty. Lovely folks let customers linger, charge their laptops and use WiFi. WiFi is not cheap in NZ, so this is really kind. Coffee $3-4; snacks (bagels, mostly) $5-9.

Bean Café, 72, The Strand (across the road from the i-site, +64 7 307 0494. Patrick and Wendy's lovely little café; free WiFi. Coffee is roasted on-site, ultra fresh and tasty. Lovely folks let customers linger, charge their laptops and use WiFi. WiFi is not cheap in NZ, so this is really kind. Coffee $3-4; snacks (bagels, mostly) $5-9.