Whakatane Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Aerial view of the coastline's rugged rocks meeting the turquoise sea, with lush green hills embracing the town, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty Region, 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.

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 Whakatane River Walk and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

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 Whakatane River Walk and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

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 Whakatane River Walk and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

Poroporo
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is £63 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£63
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (109 reviews)
Convenient location quiet close to restaurants.

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2026

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel
Whakatane Holiday Park

Whakatane Holiday Park

2 out of 5
1 Mcgarvey Rd Whakatane Bay Of Plenty
The price is £42 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
£42
22 Apr - 23 Apr
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! (233 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 £69 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
£69
25 Mar - 26 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! (641 reviews)
great location, restaurants in walking distance

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2026

Awa Motel
See all 147 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (54 reviews)
Cosy, near town, clean and well facilitated.

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

right in the town centre
Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Whakatāne Bay of Plenty
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy patios and air conditioning. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane War Memorial Hall are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
It was quiet, comfortable & homey. Sadly though, it took a long time for the hot water to heat up, which made it difficult to deal with in the middle of winter. Also wasted a lot of water.

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.
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

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

Whakatane Hospital

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

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

4/5(2 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

Whakatane River Walk

4.5/5(2 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

Te Papaka & Puketapu

Find out about the history of Whakatane with a stop at Te Papaka & Puketapu. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Te Papaka & Puketapu

Whakatane War Memorial Hall

You can learn about the history of Whakatane with a trip to Whakatane War Memorial Hall. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Whakatane War Memorial Hall