Getting Here

Travel by car

Whakatane is less than 100 kilometres from two large cities, Rotorua and Tauranga. It is less than 4 hours drive from Auckland and Hawkes Bay and 2.5 hours from Gisborne, Hamilton and Taupo.

Pacific Coast Highway. The Pacific Coast Highway, traversing the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is one of the great touring routes in the world. The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer.

Whakatane is the half-way point on this scenic highway, which starts in Auckland and finishes in the Hawkes Bay. Pick up a map at the Visitor Information Centres along the way to point out the key features of each region or visit www.pacificcoast.co.nz.

Travel by air

There are five direct daily flights to Whakatane to and from Auckland with a flight time of 45 minutes.

Flight Bookings - Tel 0800 737 000 or www.airnz.co.nz

Rental Cars can be made available from Whakatane Airport. See below for contact details.

Airport Taxi 07 3080222 or 0800 007 005
Shuttle  07 308 9906
Terry Tours Airport Shuttle Service 07 308 0434

Or flights from around New Zealand including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown fly to Rotorua, approximately 1 hour's drive from Whakatane. Rental cars are available from Rotorua Airport.

International flights from Rotorua to Sydney are available twice per week making Whakatane an ideal destination for a short break.  For more information about flights and the Central Park region of NZ visit www.centralparknz.com
 

Travel by bus

Whakatane is less than 100 kilometres from two large cities, Rotorua and Tauranga. It is less than 4 hours drive from Auckland and Hawkes Bay and 2.5 hours from Gisborne, Hamilton and Taupo. The Pacific Coast Highway, traversing the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is one of the great touring routes in the world. The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer.

Whakatane is the half-way point on this scenic highway, which starts in Auckland and finishes in the Hawkes Bay. Pick up a map at the Visitor Information Centres.

Intercity Coachlines

The Intercity Coachlines Service covers the length and breadth of New Zealand. There is a daily service in and out of Whakatane. Book your Whakatane service by phoning the Whakatane Information Centre on 0800 942 528. Or book at the Sky City terminal in central Auckland.

Bay Bus

www.baybus.co.nz
0800 4 BAYBUS OR 0800 422 928
A regular bus service operates between Whakatane, Ohope, Kawerau, Opotiki and Tauranga. Buses between Ohope, Whakatane and Tauranga operate Monday to Saturday. Buses between Whakatane and Opotiki and Whakatane and Kawerau operate twice weekly. Pick up a timetable from the Whakatane Information Centre. Passenger fares are subsidised by Environment Bay of Plenty so fares are very affordable.

Travel by rental car

AVIS RENT-A-CAR LTD. Rental Car Bookings for around New Zealand. Location 149 Commerce St, Whakatane.Telephone 07 308 5636.