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 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

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

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

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 2.260.058 ₫ per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
2.260.058 ₫
2.599.067 ₫ total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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! (402 reviews)
Motel was new. Room was very clean and was stylish. Reception staff were friendly and welcoming. The room was equipped with kettle, microwave, mugs, crockery and cutlery. Parking adjacent to the room. A short walk to restaurants and the centre of Whakatane. Wifi fast. I didn't try the TV which had ...

Reviewed on 28 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 2.015.887 ₫ per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
2.015.887 ₫
2.318.270 ₫ total
7 Feb - 8 Feb
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! (100 reviews)
Room was clean and had all the amenities that you would need. The chairs in the room had broken legs but the manager was going to move us to another room but we got him just to replace the chairs, very apologetic and helpful

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is 2.015.135 ₫ per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
2.015.135 ₫
2.317.484 ₫ total
7 Feb - 8 Feb
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! (629 reviews)
Stayed in Front Villa. Excellent staff. Amazing layout with separate living room, kitchen, bedroom c/w ensuite and entrance hall. No a/c but room fans worked. I highly recommend staying there.

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Awa Motel
Whakatane Holiday Park

Whakatane Holiday Park

2 out of 5
1 Mcgarvey Rd Whakatane Bay Of Plenty
The price is 1.324.940 ₫ per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
1.324.940 ₫
1.523.681 ₫ total
15 Feb - 16 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
One88 On Commerce

One88 On Commerce

4.5 out of 5
188 Commerce Street Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is 2.562.009 ₫ per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
2.562.009 ₫
2.946.310 ₫ total
11 Feb - 12 Feb
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! (565 reviews)
Room was absolutly amaizng, in every way possible! Everything about this place stood out.

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

One88 On Commerce
Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

2.5 out of 5
367 Harbour Road Ohope
The price is 1.713.754 ₫ per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
1.713.754 ₫
2.005.307 ₫ 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! (18 reviews)
The cabin was fantastic, great view of the ocean, Very family friendly, and the price was excellent for 5 nights, was very reasonable. We will be returning later this year

Reviewed on 31 Jan 2026

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
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 Whakatane District Museum and Gallery and Wairere Falls.

Whakatāne Town
Default Image

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 Wairere Falls and Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

Poroporo
Default Image

Maraetotara

If you're spending some time in Maraetotara, Bay of Plenty and Otarawairere Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Maraetotara

Coastlands Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: