Coastlands Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

4.5/5(4 reviews)

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

4.5/5(4 reviews)

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

Whakatane Hospital

Mataatua: The House That Came Home

5/5(8 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 River Walk

4.5/5(25 reviews)

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(6 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

Our pick of the best Coastlands Hotel Deals

Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

Coastlands Bay of Plenty Region
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Whakatane Golf Club and Whakatane District Museum ...
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Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!
Paradise on the Sand

Paradise on the Sand

Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is AU$214 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
AU$214
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this apartment in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane Golf Club and Whakatane District Museum and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (44 reviews)
Very welcoming lovely place to stay with our dog

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Paradise on the Sand
Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

Tuscany Villas Boutique Motel

2.5 out of 5
57 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is AU$123 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$123
7 Apr - 8 Apr
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (107 reviews)
Welcoming staff, cleanliness excellent, comfortable bed, quiet location although so central.

Reviewed on 8 Mar 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 AU$79 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
AU$79
8 Apr - 9 Apr
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! (233 reviews)
Very nice clean room , friendly staff

Reviewed on 24 Feb 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 AU$158 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
AU$158
19 Mar - 20 Mar
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! (24 reviews)
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Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Ōhope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Awa Motel

Awa Motel

4.5 out of 5
15 The Strand Whakatane
The price is AU$115 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
AU$115
13 Mar - 14 Mar
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! (640 reviews)
lovely motel, however toilet paper not replaced and was after closing hours before we realised.

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2026

Awa Motel
See all 140 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.

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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 River Walk and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

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 Wairere Falls and Mataatua: The House That Came Home.

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

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