Image
Moutohora - Lexie Brown

Lexie Brown and Moutohorā

In early 2021, The Bachelorette New Zealand's Lexie Brown paid a visit to long admired Moutohorā / Whale Island 

misslexiebrown "I’ve looked across the water at Moutohora all my life and only this year did I get to actually visit. @whakatane.nz@whiteislandcafe & @moutohora took me over and it was a pretty special day for me in a place I call one of my homes. We saw loads of native birds and even a Tuatara in the wild and he was unreal 🥰 From the hot water beach, I could see Putauaki in the distance and it was a perspective I hadn’t seen him from before ⛰ You can only visit the island if you jump on a tour and I couldn’t not recommend it enough, especially if you’re local 💕" 

Born out of a love of good coffee, today Café Awa is a favourite of both coffee lovers and foodies alike. 

Discover the rare beauty of one of New Zealand’s little-known treasures, Moutohorā / Whale Island a pest-free oasis.

More stories from Whakatāne

With the sea, harbour, and river on all sides, the Eastern Bay of Plenty is an ideal spot for a water-based adventure weekend.

Sun to Surf is a unique and exciting oceanside event, which will take place on the final day of daylight saving. Starting in the late afternoon allowing competitors to run into the twilight from the scenic township of Whakatāne to the stunning finish on NZ's Best Loved Beach.

The walk around Tauwhare is an opportunity to learn something of the district’s history and enjoy brilliant views over the harbour to Ohakana Island, Port Ōhope and the East Cape.

Bordered by the Whakatāne River on one side and bush-clad cliffs on the other, Whakatāne's commercial centre must have one of the most scenic settings any town could wish for.