Coastlands Travel Guide

Whakatane

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.
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.

Popular places to visit

Whakatane Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Whakatane at Whakatane Golf Club. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Whakatane Golf Club

Whakatane Hospital

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

Whakatane Hospital

Wairere Falls

5/5(1 review)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Wairere Falls during your travels in Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Wairere Falls

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

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

Things to do

White Island & Whale Island 1-Hour Volcano Scenic Flight

White Island & Whale Island 1-Hour Volcano Scenic Flight

฿11,113
per adult
White Island & Whale Island 1-Hour Volcano Scenic Flight
See all activities in Whakatane

Top hotels in Coastlands

The Com Plex Motel

The Com Plex Motel

3 out of 5
39 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is ฿2,620 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
฿2,620
฿3,013 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (400 reviews)
The room was modern and clean. The staff were lovely and very helpful with all our odd requests. The unit had everything we needed and more. The location was great because it was so close to Whakatane city center and close to the road going to Ohope when we wanted to go to the beach.

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

The Com Plex Motel
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is ฿2,345 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿2,345
฿2,697 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (99 reviews)
Staff were very lovely some of the rooms need some work mainly the bathrooms but all in all great location

Reviewed on 9 Jan 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 ฿1,541 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿1,541
฿1,773 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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! (230 reviews)
Clean and modern holiday unit with full kitchen and plenty of space for a family

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

Whakatane Holiday Park
Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

2.5 out of 5
367 Harbour Road Ohope
The price is ฿2,260 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
฿2,260
฿2,644 total
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach holiday park in Ohope. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Ohope International Golf Club and Ohiwa Harbour ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
Lovely room, just lacking

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is ฿2,344 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
฿2,344
฿2,696 total
23 Jan - 24 Jan
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! (626 reviews)
All of the above. Excellent stay

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Awa Motel
One88 On Commerce

One88 On Commerce

4.5 out of 5
188 Commerce Street Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is ฿2,971 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
฿2,971
฿3,416 total
24 Jan - 25 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (564 reviews)
.

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2026

One88 On Commerce
See all 141 properties in Coastlands
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Coastlands

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 Te Papaka & Puketapu and Whakatane District Museum and Gallery.

Whakatāne Town
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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 Te Papaka & Puketapu and Wairere Falls.

Poroporo
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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

Coastlands Travel Guide