Whakatane and Ohope

Whakatane waterfront

detail of paddlers on waka

Whakatane harbour entrance

Statue of Wairaka

Freedom camping spot at Ohope

Ohope Beach

Volcanic White Island

Ohope Beach

Whakatana and Ohope are just a few kms apart.  We spent a day wandering around Whakatane, along the waterfront, saw the Mataatua Canoe replica and statue of Wairaka.  When the canoe arrived from Polynesia the women were left onboard while the men went ashore to explore.  Wind and current began to drag the canoe away and Wairaka encouraged the women to do the man's job and paddle.  Whakatane means act like a man - so the legend goes.

Ohope is around the headland at the start of another long sandspit.  We got 1 of 3 freedom spots right beside the beach with views down to the mountains of East Cape and out past Whale Island to White Island with its ever-present plume of steam.