Ōhope with kids
Sandcastles, flying foxes and fresh strawberries.
Ōhope won Best Family Beach in the NZ Herald’s beach awards three years running, and it’s easy to see why: a long, gentle beach, a calm harbour behind it and not much traffic. Here’s how we’d keep kids of all ages busy from Salt & Pepper.
Beach days
- Swim between the flags. Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club patrols Ōhope Beach, with lifeguards on duty every day through the summer holidays and at weekends in season, including a patrolled area near the Ōhope Top 10 at the Port Ōhope end. Check safeswim.org.nz for today’s patrol times.
- Ōhiwa Harbour, a few minutes up the road, has flat water for paddling, kayaks and paddleboards. Watch the tide: much of the harbour drains at low tide and the channels run fast as it turns.
- Takutai Adventures at the Port Ōhope wharf hires paddleboards and e-bikes in summer.
Playgrounds
- Maraetotara Reserve, Ōhope: a two-cable flying fox and a skatepark.
- Mahy Reserve, Ōhope: by the village shops, handy for an ice cream stop.
- Wairaka Centennial Park, Whakatāne Heads: the big one, with a splash pad, water play, a Whakaari-themed slide, BBQs and a shallow swimming area.
- River Edge Park, Whakatāne: an accessible playground, plus a miniature railway on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.
Out and about
- Julian’s Berry Farm: pick-your-own strawberries in season, real berry ice cream, animals, a playground and an 18-hole mini golf course. Closed Tuesdays.
- Kiwi Wandering Trail: find ten bronze kiwi on a 1.6 km walk through Whakatāne. Pick up the clue sheet from the i-SITE or library.
- Ōhope Harbourside Trail: 2.9 km of easy, flat riding or walking along the harbour to the Port Ōhope wharf. Good for little legs and first bikes.
- Moutohorā (Whale Island): a boat trip out to see seals, dolphins and penguins. See day trips.
Rainy days
- Whakatāne Aquatic & Fitness Centre: indoor and enclosed outdoor pools, a learners’ pool, spas and a hydroslide that runs at weekends.
- Jungleland: an indoor playground with a café for the grown-ups.
- Whakamax Movies: the cinema on The Strand.
- Playland Entertainment: arcade games, VR and racing simulators for older kids.
- Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi: Whakatāne’s free library and exhibition centre, plus the Kiwi Hub behind the i-SITE.
At the houses
Each house has a back bedroom with two king singles, which suits kids perfectly, and with two houses side by side, cousins can go back and forth all day. The beach is straight across the road, so keep an eye out when crossing. See group accommodation if you’re bringing two families.
Hungry? See where to eat. For more ideas, things to do in Ōhope.