Whakatane

Travel Guide

Aerial view of the coastline's rugged rocks meeting the turquoise sea, with lush green hills embracing the town, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand.
Aerial view of the coastline's rugged rocks meeting the turquoise sea, with lush green hills embracing the town, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand.
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
View of Whakatane in New Zealand
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.

Where to stay in Whakatane

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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
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

If you're spending some time in Whakatāne Town, Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk are top sights worth seeing.

Whakatāne Town
The women of the Mataatua Canoe, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka

Coastlands

Though Coastlands might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Wairere Falls and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

Coastlands
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Poroporo

While there might not be top attractions in Poroporo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Wairere Falls and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

Poroporo
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is ￥11,341 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
￥11,341
￥13,267 total
Apr 7 - Apr 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Whakatane River Walk are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (107 reviews)
Welcoming staff, cleanliness excellent, comfortable bed, quiet location although so central.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 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 ￥7,910 per night from Apr 8 to Apr 9
￥7,910
￥9,097 total
Apr 8 - Apr 9
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Whakatane District Museum and Gallery and Pohaturoa ...
9/10 Wonderful! (233 reviews)
Very nice clean room , friendly staff

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

Whakatane Holiday Park
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is ￥11,085 per night from Mar 13 to Mar 14
￥11,085
￥12,888 total
Mar 13 - Mar 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (640 reviews)
lovely motel, however toilet paper not replaced and was after closing hours before we realised.

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2026

Awa Motel
See all 145 properties in Whakatane
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.
right in the town centre

right in the town centre

Whakatane Whakatane
Stay at this vacation home in Whakatane. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane River Walk and Wairere Falls are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (53 reviews)
Cosy, near town, clean and well facilitated.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

right in the town centre
Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.

Whakatāne Bay of Plenty
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy patios and air conditioning. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane War Memorial Hall are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
It was quiet, comfortable & homey. Sadly though, it took a long time for the hot water to heat up, which made it difficult to deal with in the middle of winter. Also wasted a lot of water.

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Cosy and comfortable studio for two, a breakaway worth exploring.
Cosy studio with AC and pool access

Cosy studio with AC and pool access

Whakatāne Bay of Plenty Region
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Wairere Falls and Te Papaka & Puketapu are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Fantastic quiet location, wonderful hosts, lovely linens and comfy bed. Just a perfect stay, complete with amazing native bird song each morning in the neighbouring valley. Would totally recommend for anyone with keen to get away from motels

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Cosy studio with AC and pool access
See all properties in Whakatane
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.

Popular places to visit

Whakatane Hospital

Though Whakatane Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Whakatane while you are here.

Whakatane Hospital

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

5/5(2 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Mataatua: The House That Came Home in Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

Whakatane River Walk

You can take time to visit Whakatane River Walk during your travels to Whakatane. While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Whakatane River Walk

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

Wairere Falls

5/5(2 reviews)

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

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

5/5(1 review)

You can take time to visit Whakatane Aquatic Centre during your travels to Whakatane. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

Reviews of Whakatane

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Wonderful town! Wish we had more time to stay there longer.