Beautiful Whakatāne is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, frequently topping the record of sunshine hours in a year, which makes it perfect to enjoy adventures outdoors and take in the stunning scenery as well as keeping your body moving.
We have rounded up some suggestions of Things to do in Whakatāne:
Cycling
There are many great trails in the region, catering for all levels of fitness, whether you are a serious mountain biker or just want to cruise along at a relaxing pace.
Ohope Harbourside Trail
An easy trail if you are a newbie to cycling or want to take the kids, this 2.9km trail follows the shoreline of Ōhiwa Harbour, one of the country’s most unspoilt estuaries, and you will want to stop to admire the breath-taking views. Access it from Waterway Drive to Port Ōhope Wharf, Port Ōhope.
Motu Trails
The Motu Trails are part of the 22 great rides under Ngā Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail. There are three trails, for different levels of experience.
Choose from the easy 10km Dunes Trail along the Pacific Coast which has no hills over 15 metres. Intermediate riders can opt for the 67km Motu Road Trail which takes you through bush and historic farmland from Matawai to Ōpōtiki. Advanced riders can tackle the 21km Pakihi Track which includes a challenging section for mountain bikers. Graded as an advanced trail, the Pakihi Track has 24 wooden bridges, plus a 32-metre swing bridge and there are steep drop-offs below the track. Do watch out for slips, and note that there is no or little cell phone coverage on this trail.
Mighty Motu Bike tours offers guided tours of the trails, where you can even stop for a picnic with home baked goodies to refuel. If planning your own trip, visit motutrails.co.nz for itineraries, maps and make sure to check out the weather conditions before going on your adventure.
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
The Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne mountain bike trail suits both beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, with a 16 kilometre loop through the rainforest. For the more experienced, the Moerangi trail which climbs 1000 metres will get the heart pumping.
Onepu Mountain Bike Park
The park contains 12 tracks graded from easiest to hardest. If you still have energy left after all the biking, take a stroll on the boardwalk through the Onepu Wetlands.
Walks and Hikes
The Whakatāne region has fabulous tracks for tramping, whether you are after a quick stroll or a full-on adventure hike.
Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Trail is a 16 kilometre loop walk through scenic reserves, pā sites, and native plants and birdlife, offering the most stunning coastal views. It is easier to do clockwise.
Ōtarawairere Beach is a 15 minute walk from West End in Ohope, and only accessible by foot down steps, or alternatively by kayak. Reward yourself when you get there with a refreshing swim.
Whirinaki Waterfall Loop Track. An easy loop track along the Whirinaki River to the waterfall where you can stop for a rest or a picnic. The track features the ‘dinosaur forest’, which is full of huge native trees.
Tarawera Falls track is accessed from the town of Kawerau- you need a forestry access permit available from the Information Centre in Kawerau. It’s a 20 minute walk to the stunning 35 metre falls.
Moerangi Track offers a challenging 35 km tramp through the Whirinaki Forest which takes up to three days – there’s three huts for stopovers on the way and you can listen out for the sound of kiwis at night. It’s a two hour drive from Whakatāne about 100 km south east of Rotorua on State Highway 38, but well worth the trip.
Kayaking
If you are an experienced kayaker, you can hire your own kayaks and set out on your own adventure.
Beginners can train on Lake Matahina or Ōhiwa Harbour. Experienced kayakers will find thrills aplenty. The Rangitāiki’s Aniwhenua run is for advanced white-water paddlers, with plenty of rapids to navigate. The Tarawera River at Kawerau also offers white-water action.
Or go on one of the guided tours with KG Kayaks which include trips to Moutohorā / Whale Island, a wildlife reserve, where you can enjoy paddling for two hours and might spot fur seals, little blue penguins or gannets as well as visiting a hot water beach on the island. There are also tours around Ōhiwa Harbour. For a romantic adventure, try moonlight kayaking. It’s pretty special!
Fishing and Diving
There are plenty of places to go fishing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Head to the town’s many wharves and jetties, or surf cast off some of the local favourite spots such as the Heads, where the Whakatāne river meets the sea, or head to Otarawairere beach.
Fishing tournaments are popular in our region so if you want to compete with your rod and reel skills, you’ve come to the right place. Te Urewera rivers and stream are the go-to to try fly fishing for trout.
For more serious game fishing, you can book a charter with one of the town’s experienced local charter boat operators. Diveworks also offer snorkelling tours where you can get up close and personal with dolphins, seals and other incredible sea life.
For deeper dives, there are also a large selection of diving charter boats which will take you to the top places to explore the region’s clear waters with their abundance of marine life and even sunken wrecks.
Surfing and Paddleboarding
West End – the Eastern end of Ōhope Beach – commonly just called West End – is the most popular part of the beach for both beginner and experienced surfers.
Salt Spray Surf School at West End offers lessons for surfing and SUP, as well as hire of surfboards, SUP boards and gear.
Sailing
Sailing is an amazing way to explore Ōhiwa Harbour. Port Ōhope wharf is home to the Port Ōhope Yacht Club, which provides the opportunity to learn to sail.
For more detailed information on all the activities see www.whakatane.com , https://www.bayofplentynz.com and www.doc.govt.nz
