3-Day Cultural Discovery

Day one

Morning

Start with an organic Havana coffee and hearty breakfast at Café Awa, for a much-needed energy boost for the day ahead. With delicious cabinet food and a wholesome menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Midday

Chase down your coffee with a guided tour of the beautiful Ōmataroa forest lands with Ōmataroa Eco Tours and Kiwi Bird Experiences. The four-hour eco-tour experience - Te Pātaka ō Ngā Tūpuna - with tāngata whenua (people of the land), travels through the privately owned Ōmataroa forest lands. Learn about the many species of flora and fauna and their significance to the forest habitat, our Māori way of living and our Kiwi conservation efforts.

Enjoy a late lunch or afternoon bite to eat at any one of the fantastic eateries in the Whakatāne CBD including The Comm - a cafe/bar/restaurant that after a remarkable refit has had a new lease on life. Formally a Bank and Commercial Hotel (it's name sake) has been lovingly restored to the highest standard. 

Evening

Before the sun starts to set, make your way towards the Whakatāne Heads for a self-guided historic walk. First, pay a visit to the Lady on the Rock. The bronze statue tells the story of Wairaka, the brave wahine who helped guide the Mataatua waka into Whakatāne more than 600 years ago. On your way past Toroa Street, take a quick detour along the easy 5-minute trail to the beautiful and sacred Wairere Falls. And don’t forget to stop by one of the region’s most sacred and significant sites, Te Ana o Muriwai. Also known as Muriwai’s Cave, the landmark is dedicated to the memory of Muriwai – an honoured ancestress of the Mataatua tribe. 

After all that walking, you may well have worked up an appetite. Luckily, Gibbo’s on the Wharf is just a short stroll from Muriwai’s Cave. Grab some of the best fish and chips in town, and head to a riverside park bench to tuck into dinner with a view. 

Day two

Morning

Wake up on day two with a coffee and breakfast at local favourite, Café 4U. Centrally situated on The Strand, Café 4U’s breakfast menu is filled with all the classics, while the range of cabinet food tastes just as incredible as it looks. Grab a table in the roomy courtyard out the back, and don’t forget to pick up a sweet slice for the road on your way out.

Midday

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the 'Footprints of Toi', is a walking trail that captures the essence of the Whakatāne District. It includes pa sites of major historic significance, superb native forest, spectacular pohutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies, forest birds in abundance, plantation forest and rural vistas. 

Evening

After a full day immersing yourself in Māori culture, take some time to relax with a locally-brewed craft beer at the award-winning Mata Brewery. Grab a table at the tasting room, and try the whole range with a tasting paddle – paired with a light dinner of pizza, bar snacks, or a platter to share.

Day three

Morning

Begin your last day in Whakatāne with a Whirinaki Māori guided walk at Kohutapu Lodge. This tour will take you right into the heart of the native forest, sharing the story of the land, traditional Māori medicinal plants, and endangered native birds. Hear the tales of the local people and landscapes, told over a steaming hot cup of Kawakawa tea.

Midday

For lunch, head to Mou Mou Kai Café. The café is part of Te Kura Whare - New Zealand’s first living building. It specialises in delicious kai, inspired by the coast and Te Urewera. 

After lunch, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Te Kura Whare itself. From energy consumption, to materials, to water use, the multi-purpose building is a testament to environmentally-friendly architecture. Designed for the community, Te Kura Whare is New Zealand’s greenest building. Inspired by the unity of people, infused with respect for nature and whenua, and well worth the visit. 

Evening

At the end of the day, wander over to Cigol - a modern fusion menu which invokes the flavours of Korean based cuisine with a Pacific twist. They offer up a Korean BBQ plate, Stone sizzling bibimbop, Korean fried chicken, Chinese pork ribs, Korean braised pork, Japanese yakitori and so much more. CIGOL [시골] in Korean means 'Little/small town' - just like Whakatāne. An unforgettably delicious way to finish off your culture-filled three days.

Where to stay?

Motel Awa is a great base for your long weekend away. Located by the Whakatāne River, the motel-style accommodation is an easy few minutes’ walk from The Strand’s collection of restaurants, bars, and boutiques. 

You could also stay at one of the premium suites at One88 on Commerce. Based in the heart of central Whakatāne, One88 is the epitome of warmth, comfort, and style - brought in spades by the friendly hospitality of its owners, Liz and Malcolm.

Or if you're looking to get a little closer to nature, try Kohutapu Lodge. 40 minutes from central Whakatāne, the Lodge overlooks the beautiful Lake Aniwaniwa. With traditional Māori activities on offer - like weaving, eel fishing, and more - Kohutapu is bound to bring a new dimension to your culture-packed getaway.