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Whakatāne is the heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. From endless coastlines to ancient forests, we're blessed with breath-taking landscapes, rich culture and plenty of sunshine. The perfect place to unwind, explore nature and connect with locals.
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Whakatāne: an irresistible combination of gorgeous weather,...
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Step back in time and discover the story of Whakatāne's rich...
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Showcasing a variety of stalls from throughout the region...
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With so many spectacular things to see and do, where...
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Often one of the the sunniest places in New Zealand, people...
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From luxury serviced apartments and motels to intrepid...
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Whakatāne ( / fɑːkɑːˈtɑːnə / fah-kah-TAH-ne, Māori pronunciation: [fakaˈtaːnɛ]) is a town located in the Bay of Plenty Region in the North Island of New Zealand, 90 kilometres (56 mi) east of Tauranga and 89 kilometres (55 mi) northeast of Rotorua. The town is situated at the mouth of the Whakatāne River.
Welcome to Whakatāne. Whakatāne is the Bay of Plenty’s sunshine capital, Kiwi Capital of the World™ and cultural hub. Local Māori believe New Zealand was first discovered more than 1,000 years ago by Tiwakawaka, who settled his people in what is now Whakatāne.
- Do Some Kiwi Spotting in the Ohope Scenic Reserve. Let’s kick off our list of the best things to do in Whakatane with Kiwi spotting! Who would have thought that this little bit of forest between Whakatane and Ohope is home to more than 300 kiwi birds and countless other native wildlife?!
- Ride the Mountain Biking Trails. Do you have a bike? Are you wondering what to do in Whakatane? Don’t! If you love exploring on two wheels, then Whakatane is going to spoil you silly!
- Walk in the White Pine Bush Reserve. For some short walks among some sensational coastal forest, take a stroll in the White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve. The walks are only 30-40 minutes long on loops, making it a great side activity to your time in Whakatane.
- Kayak to Moutohora Island or on the Ohiwa Harbour. Next on our list of things to do in Whakatane is kayaking! Whakatane is one of our top places to sea kayak in New Zealand with our favourite spots including a voyage over to the wildlife sanctuary of Moutohora (Whale Island) or in the Ohiwa Harbour to kayak among the mangroves and pohutukawa trees.
The main centre for the eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Whakatāne is also known for its fishing – more yellowfin tuna are caught here than anywhere else in the country. Other Whakatāne attractions include the museum, an observatory and Māori historical sites.
Things to Do in Whakatāne, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 11,432 traveler reviews and photos of Whakatāne tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Whakatāne.
In this Bay of Plenty town, there are plenty of premium experiences to be had, from flying over New Zealand’s most active volcano to teeing off on scenic coastal golf courses. One of the treasures of Whakatane is the offshore island of Moutohora, also known as Whale Island.
