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About Whakatane New Zealand

Lake Waikaremoana near Whakatane, New Zealnad. Copyright: Tourism Eastland

Whakatane is a sunny town located about 90 kilometres east of Tauranga and about 89 kilometres north-east of Rotorua, in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand.

Nestled beside the Pacific Ocean, at the mouth of the Whakatane River, Whakatane enjoys warm sunny days and a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Sandy beaches are a dominant feature here, providing activities for all ages.

Local activities include deep sea fishing, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, boating, water skiing, 4x4ing, jet boating, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and much more. Walk the Nga Tapuwae O Toi bush track, or watch rare sea birds in beautiful Ohiwa Harbour.

White Island

Whakatane is the gateway to a live volcano on nearby White Island - New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Volcano tours by helicopter, scenic flight or boat are popular activites. Though most of the White Island volcano lies underwater, the inner crater can be explored on foot. Amazing vivid colours of orange and yellow cover the landscape from sulphur deposits, vents roar and theres even a lake of steaming acid!

Te Urewera National Park

Nearby Te Urewera National Park is an immense and remote park - famous for its lakes, forested beauty and stormy history. Attractions here include Lake Waikaremoana and the smaller Lake Waikareiti. See the lake shore up close by tramping the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk.

Much of Te Urewera National Park is remote and not easily accessible, and is home to a wide range of native birds and wildlife, making it an ideal place for bird watching. Fishing and hunting are also popular activities.

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