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Known as the gateway to White Island/Whakaari, Whakatāne has become much more in recent years, encouraging visitors to stay longer and get a taste of the lifestyle and envious climate locals rave about.
The Whakatāne district is renowned for its superb walking, tramping and biking trails, both coastal with incredible ocean vistas, and awe-inspiring tracks through ancient native forests.
Nga Tapuwae o Toi (Footprints of Toi) walkway, connecting Whakatāne township and Ōhope Beach, offers a diverse natural landscape and spectacular scenery to rival any of New Zealand's great walks. The 16km loop is achievable as a half-day walk, or enjoy in sections suitable for the whole family. The trail includes pa sites of major historic significance, diverse native forest, spectacular pohutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies and native birds in abundance - including over 300 wild kiwi.
The trail passes through Ōtarawairere Bay - the hidden jewel of the Whakatāne-Ōhope area. Pohutukawa trees loom over a sandy beach of crushed seashells, and the warm waters of the Pacific lap quietly against the shore.
KG Kayaks offer guided tours following the coastal section of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi. Departing from the Whakatāne Heads or West End at Ōhope Beach, take in the spectacular scenery and wildlife, with a stop for morning tea in one of the secluded bays.
If you choose to walk the trail, Whakatane and Ōhope's best cafes are just a short stroll from two of the trail's entry points.
Whakatane has some brilliant bike trails, with something for every skill level, ranging from an easy family cruise to adventurous mountain biking.
Take the family to Onepu Mountain Bike Park, Burma Road, Ōhope Harbourside Trail or the Mōtū Dunes Trail in Ōpōtiki for relaxing rides. Or meander on the Whakatāne River Warren Cole cycleway, a flat, paved ride that skirts the town.
And, just 50km offshore from Whakatāne, no visit to the Bay of Plenty is complete without a trip to White Island. Known to Māori as Whakaari, White Island is arguably the world's most accessible active marine volcano. If time allows, pay a visit to Moutohorā (Whale) Island wildlife sanctuary, where you'll be surrounded by saddleback, kākāriki (NZ parakeet), little brown kiwi, tuatara and fur seals.
Whakatāne's sun-filled golf courses offer crisp, dry greens year-round, coupled with spectacular scenery.
Set between Ohiwa Harbour and Ōhope Beach, with views out to White Island on the northern side and the harbour wetlands to the south, the Ōhope International Golf Club is rated one of the top links courses in New Zealand, and 10 minutes from town, the Whakatāne Golf Club championship level course offers another spectacularly scenic game.
WHAT'S ON THIS SUMMER
•Whakatāne Seafood Festival – 19 January 2019, Te Hau Tutua Park
Enjoy the many delicacies caught right on our back door at Whakatāne's inaugural seafood festival.
•Summer Arts Festival 28 January – March 2019
Enjoy music, dance, outdoor theatre, film, art, sculpture, public programmes and more.
www.artswhakatane.co.nz
•Local Wild Food Challenge – 2 February 2019, Mahy Reserve, Ōhope Beach
Part of an international event series that showcases locations with wild food and natural abundance. www.localwildfoodchallenge.com
•Air Chathams Sunshine and a Plate 22 February – 3 March 2019
Celebrate the region's bountiful produce and sunshine during this week-long food festival. www.sunshineandaplate.nz
For more inspiration visit www.whakatane.com