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

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

Te Papaka & Puketapu

5/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Whakatane with a stop at Te Papaka & Puketapu. Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Te Papaka & Puketapu

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

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

Our pick of the best Coastlands Hotel Deals

Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

Private Coastal Sanctuary, Next to the beach!

2 out of 5
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$224 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
AU$224
16 Feb - 17 Feb
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
Great space, with cooking facilities by using a hot plate. Everything was very clean & tidy.My hubby interacted with the host and he was very chatty and friendly. Great hosts.Loved the location being out of the town and close to the beach. Had lovely beach walks and relaxed.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Paradise on the Sand
Stunning holiday home close to beach

Stunning holiday home close to beach

Whakatane Coastlands
The price is AU$321 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
AU$321
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday home in Whakatane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Whakatane Aquatic Centre and Whakatane District ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (92 reviews)
Very satisfactory, good shower water pressure, very clean, good place to stay

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Stunning holiday home close to beach
The Com Plex Motel

The Com Plex Motel

3 out of 5
39 The Strand Whakatane Bay of Plenty
The price is AU$140 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
AU$140
8 Feb - 9 Feb
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! (400 reviews)
The room was modern and clean. The staff were lovely and very helpful with all our odd requests. The unit had everything we needed and more. The location was great because it was so close to Whakatane city center and close to the road going to Ohope when we wanted to go to the beach.

Reviewed on 14 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 AU$125 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
AU$125
25 Jan - 26 Jan
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! (99 reviews)
Staff were very lovely some of the rooms need some work mainly the bathrooms but all in all great location

Reviewed on 9 Jan 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$82 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$82
1 Feb - 2 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
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.

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 Te Papaka & Puketapu and Wairere Falls.

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 Te Manuka Tutahi Marae.

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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