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 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.