Best things to see and do in Whakatane

Even the loos in Whakatane boast a view. Photo / Getty Images

It seems the sun always shines on the East Coast, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Where is it? In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, a little over an hour's drive from Rotorua or Tauranga and 293km from Auckland.

Origin of name? In the 12th century, the Mataatua Waka arrived and, while the men went ashore to investigate, the waka began to drift out to sea. Wairaka, the daughter of Chief Toroa, seized a paddle and called to her ancestors "Kia Whakatane au i ahau" - "let me act as a man". Her deed saved the waka and gave Whakatane its name.

Population? 19,000 urban, 34,000 in the surrounding area.

Town slogan? New Zealand's Sunshine Capital. (Sorry Nelson, they've got the trophy to prove it.)

Town mascot? Little cans of sunshine or the elegant statue of Wairaka on the rocks at Whakatane Heads.

Famous locals? Margaret Mahy (beloved children's author), Benji Marshall (league star), the band Kora and Lindy Chamberlain, who lost her baby to a dingo in Australia.

Best website? whakatane.com.

Big business? Whakatane Mill produces coated carton boards for packaging and employ loads of locals, as do dairy farming, horticulture and tourism.

Source of pride? The sunny climate and relaxed coastal feel.

Town fiestas? The Summer Arts Festival, mid-January until mid-February, includes Sculpture on the Riverbank, the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award, Shakespeare in the Park and Jazz in the Park. There are also plenty of fishing tournaments throughout the year, Toi's Challenge, (a running/walking event and Monty's Revenge — a massive multisport race).

Here for a short time? Grab one of the free bikes from the visitor information centre and ride along the Whakatane River, stopping at points of interest like the replica of the Mataatua Waka, Muriwai's Cave, the statue of Wairaka or the restful Wairere waterfall.

Best place to take the kids? Julian's Berry Farm is a must visit from October to mid-February, the kids love to pick their own fruit; there's also a great cafe, playground, mini-golf and petting zoo.

Best park? The River Edge Park includes the Whakatane Botanic Gardens, Ocean Playground, Skate Park and a miniature railway (open the first Sunday of each month and every Sunday during school holidays). The park runs alongside the Whakatane River although the name might have given that away.

Loo with a view? The area known as The Heads sits beside the Whakatane River mouth. There you'll find toilets as well as a playground and picnic tables beneath pohutukawa trees.

Best walk? The Kohi Point Walkway follows the coast between Whakatane and Ohope Beach and travels through lush native bush. Either make it a 16km loop or walk one way and take the bus the other; one way takes two to three hours. And check the tides first because part of the walk is along a beach that's not passable at high tide.

Benji Marshall is a famous Whakatane local. Photo / Dean Purcell

Best view? Puketapu Lookout towers above Whakatane, once a Maori fortification, provides magnificent views of the township, the river, surrounding Rangitaiki Plains and out to Moutohora and White Islands.

Best place to pull over? Drive the short distance between Whakatane and Ohope Beach and stop at the lookout above Ohope Beach for awesome views of the East Cape and the sparkling waters. On a clear winter's day you can see as far as Mt Hikurangi, its white peak shining in the distance.

Best swim? Otarawairere Beach, between Whakatane and Ohope Beach, is accessible only by foot or sea and it's like something from a tropical postcard. Moko the dolphin used to love it here.

Best museum? Opened in 2012, Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi is the community's art and cultural hub, bringing together the Whakatane District Museum, Exhibition Centre and Library. The museum is full of the district's taonga, an interesting mix of Maori and European history. Well worth a look.

Rich history? Make time for a visit to Mataatua — the house that came home. This fabulous marae, has been around the world, and the fascinating story is told using traditional and modern methods. Stunning.

Nice arts? Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi is full of local art as well and visiting exhibitions too.

Cream of the coffee? PeeJays Cafe at White Island Rendezvous has served Havana Cuban Coffee (organic and fair trade) since opening over 15 years ago. Their baked goods are out of this world.

Baked? For tasty French treats you can't go past L'Epicerie. Their cafe and deli on The Strand is hugely popular, as is their food van, seen around town and at farmers' markets.

Best food? For a lovely evening meal try Soulsa, venison and fish dishes are a speciality, or head for Roquette on Quay St, where the seafood chowder is well loved.

A tourist walks past the crater lake on his walk around the thermal wonderland that is White Island in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Alan Gibson

Wet your whistle? The Craic is a popular Irish Pub, perfect for a pint in the afternoon sunshine or a fireside chat.

Best mountain biking? The recently opened Onepu Mountain Bike Park, just out of town, is very popular with tracks for all abilities and access is free.

Best adventure? Don't miss the opportunity to take a trip to White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano. Visit by boat or helicopter and experience walking inside the crater or take a fixed wing flight to view this wonder from the air. White Island is such a buzz.

Best-kept secret? Moutohora Island Sanctuary, just 10 minutes off the coast by boat, has beautiful bush, birdlife and views, plus you can enjoy a swim on the island's hot water beach. Access to this wildlife sanctuary is highly restricted so you must join an organised tour if you wish to visit.

Wildlife? Numerous kiwi live in the surrounding bush and the Whakatane Kiwi Trust offers kiwi listening tours. Drivers are also asked to keep an eye out for kiwi crossing the roads - indicated by large yellow kiwis painted on the road. Whakatane is also known as the Kiwi Capital of the World.

Locals say: Jealous?

Visitors say: Too right.

Thanks to the good people from White Island Tours for sharing the love.