By car
Whakatāne is in the Eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. We're less than 100 kilometres from two large cities, Rotorua and Tauranga. Whakatāne is less than 4 hours drive from Auckland and Hawkes Bay and 2.5 hours from Gisborne, Hamilton and Taupō.
Travel distances and times
| From | Auckland | Hamilton | Tauranga | Rotorua | Gisborne | Wellington |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 298 km | 193 km | 90 km | 85 km | 201 km | 545 km |
| Time | 4 hours | 2 hours, 30 minutes | 1 hour | 50 minutes | 3 hours | 8 hours |
By air
Whakatāne Airport is the gateway to Whakatāne, and the terminal is an attraction in its own right. Designed by renowned NZ architect Roger Walker, its distinctive and quirky style captures the design ethos of the 1970s.
Address: 216 Aerodrome Rd, Whakatāne, Thornton 3191
Elevation: 20 metres
Code: WHK
Phone: 07 308 8397
Flight bookings
Flights between Auckland and Whakatāne are serviced via Air Chathams. We are now taking bookings for Air Chathams at the Whakatāne Visitor Centre.
- Phone: 0800 580 127
- Book flights to Whakatāne via Air Chathams »
By bus
Intercity
The Intercity service covers the length and breadth of New Zealand. There is a daily service in and out of Whakatāne. Book your bus by phoning the Whakatāne Visitor Centre on 0800 942 528.
Bay Bus
A regular bus service operates between Whakatāne, Ōhope, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki and Tauranga. Buses between Ōhope, Whakatāne and Tauranga operate Monday to Saturday. Buses between Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne and Kawerau operate twice weekly. Passenger fares are subsidised by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, so fares are very affordable. Pick up a timetable from the Whakatāne Visitor Information Centre.
