Family

Whakatane is indeed a fantastic holiday destination for the whole family, offering a wide array of family-friendly activities and entertainment. No matter the age of your kids or the interests of your family, there's something for everyone in Whakatane. Check out the diverse range of family fun activities and entertainment options below: Whether you're planning a full family holiday or simply seeking some entertainment in Whakatane, you'll find plenty of options to keep the entire family happy and engaged. Create cherished memories together and experience the wonders of Whakatane's family-friendly activities and entertainment. Whether you are organising your next family holiday, or simply searching for some entertainment in Whakatane, you'll find a solution in the options below.

Featured Family Listings

Awakeri Hot Springs, Whakatane, NZ

AWAKERI HOT SPRINGS

Holiday park nestled amongst lush park-like grounds. Our outdoor hot pool and our private spas – all filled with natural mineral water.

Awakeri Rail Adventures

AWAKERI RAIL ADVENTURES

Travel along a piece of New Zealand's rich rail history, experience natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of a rail-cart.

District 4 Paintball

DISTRICT 4 PAINTBALL

Whakatane's exclusive paintball park. We provide you with overalls, masks, paintball markers and paintballs.

Dolphin Encounters

DIVEWORKS DOLPHIN & SEAL ENCOUNTERS

We are 100% locally owned and operated with 20 years of local marine knowledge and experience.

Diveworks Fishing Charters, Whakatane

DIVEWORKS FISHING CHARTERS

Fish, Dive, sightsee or Eco Tour the rich waters surrounding White (Whakaari) and Whale (Moutohora)

Dolphin & Whale Island Tours, Whakatane

DIVEWORKS WHALE ISLAND TOURS

The tour can include sightings of dolphins, seals, schools of fish, penguins, sea birds, and much more. 

Ezy Fishing Charters Whakatane

EZY FISHING CHARTERS WHAKATANE

We strive to give you the best day out Fishing or Hunting in the beautiful Bay Of Plenty .

Julian's Berry Farm, Whakatane

JULIANS BERRY FARM & CAFE

We offer pick-your-own berries, berry sales, a cafe, a children's playground, mini golf, an animal farm, and more! 

Local Attractions

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Whakatane is host to many natural and man made attractions that has made our town an activity destination in its own right.

Motu River Jet Boat Tours, Opotiki

MOTU RIVER JET BOAT TOURS

Motu River Jet Boat Tours offer an exciting 1.5-hour experience of jet boating on either the Motu River, Matahina Dam, or the Rangitaiki River.

Moutohorā Tours Whakatane

MOUTOHORA ISLAND SANCTUARY

Tours of Moutohorā (Whale Island) - one of New Zealand’s little-known treasures, departing from Whakatāne. 

Nikau Valley Horse Treks, Whakatane

NIKAU VALLEY HORSE TREKS

Nikau Valley Horse Treks is nestled in a scenic sheltered valley 10 minutes from Whakatane. We take all ages and experience. 

Ohiwa Fishing Charters

OHIWA FISHING CHARTERS

Ohiwa Fishing Charters are doing fishing trips for individuals or sole charters, from Ohope Wharf out to the Opotiki Mussel Farm.

Onepu Mountain Bike Park, Whakatane

ONEPU MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK

The park is available free for the public to use for mountain biking and running or walking and has four main trails to choose from.

Stunning backdrop of New Zealand's native bush

OUTDOOR MISSION

Get ready for the ultimate adventure with Outdoor Mission! Join us and race against the clock

Te Kaha Katt II Fishing Charters, Whakatane.

PACIFIC COAST ADVENTURES & FISHING CHARTERS

Pacific Coast Adventures offers half or full day fishing charters at the Opotiki Mussel Farm

Port Ohope Beach Wharf

PORT ŌHOPE WHARF

Is a popular fishing, stand up paddle boarding, swimming and sailing location. It is also home to the Port Ōhope Yacht Club

R n Bees Berry Orchard Whakatane

R n BEES BERRY ORCHARD WHAKATANE

For fresh berries, hot & cold drinks, and pick your own berries (when available) come and visit us! 

Whakatane Aquatic Centre

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

We offer a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate most sports and gatherings.

Whakatane River Edge Miniature Railway

RIVER EDGE PARK MINIATURE RAILWAY

River Edge Miniature Railway is owned and operated by the Eastern Bay of Plenty Model Engineers Society Inc.

Outdoor Seating

SKIPPERS RESTAURANT

Skippers Restaurant at the Whakatane Sportfishing Club offers outstanding quality with generous servings. 

Takutai Adventures, Whakatane

TAKUTAI ADVENTURES

Whakanes’s local eScooter, eBike & Stand Up Paddle board experts. We offer hire, lessons and sales.

TE KŌPUTU A TE WHANGA A TOI WHAKATANE LIBRARY & EXHIBITION CENTRE

Explore rich history at Whakatane Museum and immerse yourself in diverse knowledge and art in this dynamic community.

Tio Ōhiwa Oysters & Takeaways

TIO ŌHIWA | ŌHIWA OYSTER FARM

Alongside our Ōhiwa Harbour Cruise & Oyster Experience, we offer a range of seafood, burgers, and mouthwatering meals.

WhakaMax Movies, Whakatane

WHAKAMAX MOVIES

Whakatane’s home of entertainment is the only place to enjoy all the escape, adventure, romance, drama, and action on the big screen.

Whakatane Aquatic & Fitness Centre

WHAKATANE AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTRE

Swimming pools, spa pools, hydroslide, aqua fitness classes and a fitness centre.

Whakatane Golf Club, New Zealand

WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB

The Whakatane Golf Club. A true test of golf on one of the most picturesque and well-groomed courses in the Bay of Plenty region.

Whakatane Kiwi

WHAKATĀNE KIWI

Whakatāne is regarded as the 'Kiwi Capital of the World'.

Whakatane Astronomical Society

WHAKATANE OBSERVATORY | ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Whakatane Observatory and Astronomical Society, the only Observatory / Planetarium in Whakatane.

whakatane Walking Trails

WHAKATĀNE WALKING TRAILS | BUSH WALKS

Explore Whakatāne's stunning walking trails and bush walks, perfect for all levels of hikers. Discover coastal views and native forests.

White Island Flights, Whakatane, New Zealand

WHITE ISLAND FLIGHTS

On route to White Island get full commentary, exceptional service, safety, and great value ensure you get the most from this experience.

Family Listings

Kiwi Wandering Trail Whakatane

KIWI WANDERING TRAIL

The Kiwi Wandering Trail in Whakatane (the Kiwi Capital of the World!) is a self-guided hunt for bronze replicas of this iconic NZ bird. Find ten life-like, life‑size bronze kiwi statues which wander right through the heart of Whakatāne.

This is fun for all the family and takes you through the CBD as well as the scenic beauty of our Riverwalks and the Whakatane Heads.

Do you have what it takes to find all 10 North Island brown kiwi? Manaia, Two Toes, Ahi, Miro, Big Al, Ōhope, Waewae, Kaputerangi, Pea, and Te Hau.

Ohope Scenic Reserve, Ohope Whakatane NZ

OHOPE SCENIC RESERVE

The Ohope Scenic Reserve includes one of the country's largest remaining coastal pohutukawa forests and has outstanding scenic and conservation values. During the summer flowering season, the reserve is ablaze with brilliant crimson flowers and the walk is a very special experience. Further inland the bush changes from typical coastal forest of pohutukawa, kohe,kohe, karaka, titoki, ngaio and akeake to other native trees such as rewarewa, tawa and kanuka.

Tarawera Falls

TARAWERA FALLS

The Tarawera Falls are a sight to be seen, water from Lake Tarawera plunges 65 feet into the river below that continues to flow through Kawerau and the Eastern Bay of Plenty to it's ocean destination. 

Visitors wanting to see the Falls will need to arrange a permit as access is via private forestry roads. Permits can be obtained from the Kawerau Information Centre.

Tauwhare Pa, Ohope Beach, Whakatane

Tauwhare Pa

Tauwhare Pa, located next to Ohiwa Harbour at Ohope Beach, Whakatane, is a must see Maori culture and history attraction. It is a preserved pre-European Maori occupation site, one of the oldest pa sites in the area.
It was built by Te Hapuoneone, an ancient tribe from which many of today's iwi descend.
The name Tauwhare implies 'the village suspended in space'. When viewed from the bottom of the southern end of the pā, the village gives this impression.

Family Map

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