Whangarei
17.89°C
Whangarei
17.89°C
Waitakere City
16.98°C
Manukau City
17.11°C
Papakura
24.46°C
Hauraki
17.26°C
Waikato
17.67°C
Matamata
18.46°C
Hamilton
17.51°C
Otorohanga
18.52°C
Rotorua
16.6°C
Taupo
15.44°C
Tauranga
19.27°C
Kawerau
18.6°C
Whakatane
19.64°C
Gisborne
15.51°C
New Plymouth
16.98°C
Stratford
8.97°C
Ruapehu
14°C
Wanganui
17°C
Palmerston North
16.41°C
Wairoa
19.19°C
Hastings
18.84°C
Napier
18.49°C
Masterton
15.49°C
Carterton
15.66°C
Porirua
15.99°C
Lower Hutt
16.45°C
Wellington
15.79°C
Tasman
9.35°C
Nelson
16.27°C
Marlborough
3.22°C
Kaikoura
15.48°C
Christchurch
12.59°C
Ashburton
12.52°C
Timaru
13.37°C
Waitaki
11.32°C
Waimate
13.08°C
Queenstown
12.38°C
Dunedin
14.33°C
Southland
9.98°C
Gore
11.31°C
Invercargill
12.06°C
Blenheim
14.73°C
Te Anau
27.35°C
Wanaka
11.17°C
Kaikoura
13.38°C
Stratford
13.54°C
Upper Hutt
15.9°C
About
If you're keen for an easy cycling cruise or walk with lots to see, Warren Cole Walk and Cycleway along the riverside trail is superb. One trail end is by the Whakatāne River bridge on Landing Road; the other is near the Whakatāne Heads. It's fully sealed/paved.
You'll be alongside the river the whole way. Near the Whakatāne River mouth, you can watch the Pacific Ocean swell rolling in. Upriver from here, the Whakatāne wharves usually have plenty going on, perfect if you're with kids. About midway on the track, the river has large areas of salt marsh. If you enjoy bird-watching, there are many species to spot.
The Warren Cole walkway starts at Landing Road and follows the southern bank of the river to the Whakatāne Gardens, the Skate Park and River Edge Playground. The path leads onto The Promenade, which passes the Whakatāne Visitor Information Centre, and then onto the River Edge walkway to The Heads.
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. The major historic and scenic features of the town are included in this interesting and easy walk, which follows the river to the Whakatāne Heads where the river meets the sea.
The Whakatāne wharf was once a busy coastal shipping cargo and passenger port. The wharf and estuary are now homes to many commercial and recreational fishing boats, the Whakatāne Sports Fishing Club and restaurants. The riverbank path leads downstream through the Mataatua Reserve. This reclaimed land covers the original landing place of the Mataatua waka and includes a shelter, which houses a replica of the Mataatua waka.
Further on is the big game fishing weigh station and launching ramp, often a hive of activity as the waters offshore are renowned for tuna, billfish and shark fishing. Past the playground is "The Heads" where the Whakatāne River rushes into the sea through a narrow gap studded by rocks. Across the river, a bronze statue of Wairaka stands atop the largest rock. This commemorates her courageous defiance of tradition which not only saved the Mataatua waka but gave the town and district its name.
Returning towards the town centre, along the road is Muriwai's cave. Muriwai was an aunt of Wairaka and lived in the cave in the latter part of her life. A famed priestess, her advice was much sought after.