Nau mai, Welcome to Whakatāne

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. We guarantee you'll want to stay a little longer…

Discover Our Summer

Whakatāne is the ultimate summer destination. Come and see why.

Food truck at Local Wild Food Challenge Event

Events

Our events calendar celebrates the plentiful sunshine and diverse, spectacular coastlines of the Whakatāne District, which is blessed with an abundance of wild food and artisan food producers.

See and Do

Native forests, white sand beaches, tasty fish, friendly people. All of New Zealand in one package.

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Trail

Nga Tapuwae o Toi, or the ‘Footprints of Toi’, is a walking trail that captures the essence of the Whakatāne District.

Friends walking in bush section of trail

Top Things to Do

A selection of the superb activities available during your stay in Whakatāne.

>> See & Do <<

Golf

The Eastern Bay of Plenty’s sun-filled golf courses offer crisp, dry greens year-round, coupled with spectacular scenery.

Moutohorā Eco Sanctuary

One of the best-kept secrets in Aotearoa. The island is a remnant volcano and is home to a number of rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles.

Gentlemen Farmers Gin

We host bespoke Gin Crafting Experiences at our private distillery in Wainui, Bay of Plenty - just 10 minutes from beautiful Ōhope beach.

Eco Experiences - Give back to nature

The Whakatāne District is blessed with diverse and thriving natural environments - why not give back?

>> O ur Stories <<

Meet Our Demonstrators - Local Wild Food Festival 2025

Read more about our demonstrators at this year's Local Wild Food Festival.

Eastern Eats

Whether you’re planning a holiday in the Eastern Bay or thinking of a day trip, you’ll find a range of eateries for all tastes and some notable spots for a drink or two.

Golf Club Reviews! Whakatāne Golf Club and Ōhope Beach Golf Links

Pete Thornton, a golfer from Auckland visited two of our local golf clubs in November 2024 and here's what he had to say!

>> What's On? <<

Summer at Wharfside: Pop-up activity hub

eBikes, stand-up paddleboards, yummy food and ice-cold drinks are on the menu this summer at Wharfside Ōhope.

Sun to Surf Run & Walk Ōhope

Welcoming participants of all abilities to experience the unique beach vibes of the treasured Eastern Bay region, and enjoy a slice of ocean paradise!

Local Wild Food Festival

The Local Wild Food Festival is one of the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s most iconic events, celebrating abundant food found in our diverse natural environment.