Whakatane Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

View of Whakatane in New Zealand
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
The women of the Mataatua Canoe, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka (canoe) drifting out to sea again. The paddles were forbidden to women, but a high spirited teenager, Wairaka, who was the daughter of Chief Toroa, boldly seized one of the paddles and paddled the waka back to shore. As she did this, she shouted, Kia Whakatane au i ahau:, and her actions saved the women but also coined the name of the town. A bronze statue of Wairaka stands on a rock at the Whakatane Heads to commemorate this act.
Whakatane is a Maori word and the 'wh' is pronounced like an 'f'. The statute of Wairaka is at the mouth of the Whakatane River in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island.

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Where to stay in Whakatane

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Maraetotara

If you're spending some time in Maraetotara, Bay of Plenty and Otarawairere Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Maraetotara
Whakatane is a Maori word and the 'wh' is pronounced like an 'f'. The statute of Wairaka is at the mouth of the Whakatane River in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island.

Whakatāne Town

While visiting Whakatāne Town, you might make a stop by sights like Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk.

Whakatāne Town
The women of the Mataatua Canoe, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka

Coastlands

While Coastlands may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mataatua: The House That Came Home and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Coastlands
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Poroporo

While Poroporo may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mataatua: The House That Came Home and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Poroporo
The Com Plex Motel

The Com Plex Motel

3 out of 5
39 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is NZ$162 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
NZ$162
14 Mar - 15 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (418 reviews)
So convenient to town and its amenities. Lovely clean spacious rooms. Will definitely stay again

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Whakatane Holiday Park

Whakatane Holiday Park

2 out of 5
1 Mcgarvey Rd Whakatane Bay Of Plenty
The price is NZ$106 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
NZ$106
14 Mar - 15 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Whakatane District Museum and Gallery and Pohaturoa ...
9/10 Wonderful! (232 reviews)
Very nice clean room , friendly staff

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Whakatane Holiday Park
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is NZ$160 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$160
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (638 reviews)
Friendly well mannered staff. Lovely clean and tidy room

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Awa Motel
See all 145 properties in Whakatane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stunning holiday home close to beach

Stunning holiday home close to beach

Whakatane Coastlands
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane District ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (118 reviews)
Host were amazing with communication. Amenities and Whare clean tidy, Beautiful settings and surroundings.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Stunning holiday home close to beach
right in the town centre

right in the town centre

Whakatane Whakatane
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane River Walk and Wairere Falls are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (52 reviews)
Ideal location close to everything you need. Equiped with all the necessary. Beds were super comfortable and bonus that there was a washer and drier. Only downside was the lawns were quite long, the rubbish bin was full and the shower head may need replacing as the water was just dribbling out. Other ...

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2025

right in the town centre
Cosy studio with AC and pool access

Cosy studio with AC and pool access

Whakatāne Bay of Plenty Region
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy a garden, patios and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Te Papaka & Puketapu are located ...
Cosy studio with AC and pool access
See all properties in Whakatane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Whakatane Hospital

4.5/5(4 reviews)

If Whakatane Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Whakatane.

Whakatane Hospital

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

5/5(8 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Mataatua: The House That Came Home during your trip to Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

Wairere Falls

5/5(6 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Wairere Falls during your travels in Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Wairere Falls

Te Manuka Tutahi Marae

You can find out about the history of Whakatane when you stop by Te Manuka Tutahi Marae. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Te Manuka Tutahi Marae

Whakatane River Walk

4.5/5(25 reviews)

You can take time to visit Whakatane River Walk during your travels to Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Whakatane River Walk

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

5/5(2 reviews)

You can take time to visit Whakatane Aquatic Centre during your travels to Whakatane. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

Activities

White Island & Whale Island 1-Hour Volcano Scenic Flight

Whakaari - White Island Cultural and Flight Experience

NZ$649
per adult
Whakaari - White Island Cultural and Flight Experience
See all activities in Whakatane

Reviews of Whakatane

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
73
5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
91
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Always a friendly place to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely weather for the beach wedding we attended. Would have been nice to stay longer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love this place, but it is my hometown so a little bias

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely weather . Nice slow pace.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very clean and colourful garden smaller town that has been hit hard by the eruption of Waikare/White Island. Tourists are starting to trickle back but it will take some time for the town to get back to the bustling town it was.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great fishing charter. Easy place to get about. Good food options

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Ohope

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