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Walks and tramps

Walks and tramps

The Whakatane District is renown for it's superb walking and tramping tracks that include coastal tracks with stunning ocean vistas and walkways through ancient native forests. Te Urewera National Park and Whirinaki Forest Park are a short drive from Whakatane and include a wide range of walks and tramps suitable for all levels of fitness and the time available. To the south of Whakatane is the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk which takes 3 - 4 days and is one of New Zealand's premier walking tracks through some of the best scenery in the country. Walking maps, brochures, hut permits and safety information is available at the Whakatane Information Centre and the Rangitaiki Area DOC Office and Murupara Visitor Centre) or visit www.doc.govt.nz.

 

Riverside Walks and Walkways

WHAKATANE GARDENS are situated on what was once 'Eivers Beach' between McGarvey Road and McAlister Street on the town side of the Whakatane River stopbank. The area comprises rose gardens, a formal entrance, scented garden and areas for bulbs, shrubs and perennials. In February 2003, Whakatane's Sister City in Japan, Kamagaya, contributed to the construction of an authentic Japanese Garden. This garden is popular for summer weddings and concerts.

RIVER EDGE PARK is a rich, diverse and detailed riverside park. It provides recreation facilities of significance to the whole district including Tracks skatepark, the Ocean Playground, the amphitheatre and Model Engineers' Railway.

OTUAWHAKI and THE PROMENADE were originally part of the first waterfront 'development' of the town in the earliest European settlement era. This strip of riverbank extends from the present wharf at its eastern end to the Yacht Club at the western end.  The Whakatane Visitor Information Centre opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in 2002 is situated in a prime position overlooking both the river and the main business area. The Promenade is lined with seats and picnic tables that are popular with both locals and visitors. The Promenade also provides direct access to the Otuawhaki Wharf.

WAIRAKA PARK, which extends from the present boat ramp to opposite the Signal Station, was officially opened in early 1940 as the District's contribution toward New Zealand's Centenary and is called 'Wairaka Centennial Memorial Park'. The marble plaque set into the rock is inscribed 'Wairaka Park'. The central area of the park is a popular family area with a playground, and a small beach with a swimming area that is separated from the main river by a rock wall. The activities of the fishing and sightseeing boats travelling in over the difficult Whakatane Bar make enjoyable and sometimes exciting viewing.

Walks and Tramps

Whakatane has a large range of walks - from magnificent coastal cruises, to lush native bush experiences.

Click to find out more about these walks:

The official tourism information website for the Whakatane District, including Ohope and Murupara, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Whakatane is a coastal town, situated in the North Island of New Zealand, just one hour drive from Tauranga and Rotorua.