Whakatane sits in the spectacular Eastern Bay of Plenty of New Zealand on the East Coast of the North Island right beside the Pacific Ocean. These warm waters are world-famous for incredible deep sea fishing and marine sports.
It is an hour’s drive from Rotorua and Tauranga and is a thriving service centre for many surrounding districts. Whakatane is one of the three sunniest cities in New Zealand. It has one of the countries warmest climates with mild winters and long hot summers.
Whakatane is also the gateway to the East Cape, and the Whakatane and Motu Rivers. Activities include jet boating, rafting, dolphin watching, game fishing, bush walks, horse treks, 4x4 tours, hunting trips, helicopter flights or simply relaxing on the beautiful beaches. For those with an interest in the outdoors, the rugged Urewera National Park, the largest protected native forest in the North Island, provides tramping, trout fishing and deer hunting.
The Whakatane District in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is one of the most diversely beautiful areas in New Zealand. Sandy beaches are predominant along the 54 kilometres of coastline that stretches from Otamarakau in the west to Ohiwa in the east. Central areas include fertile lowlands and farming areas on the Rangitaiki Plains through to Murupara. Te Urewera National Park in the south, which makes 41% of the district, is protected native forest and is home to a rich array of flora and fauna. The total area of the district covers 433,000ha or 4,442km2.
