How far is Ōhope from Whakatāne?

About 15 minutes' drive over the hill from Salt & Pepper on Ocean Road to central Whakatāne, and about 25 minutes to Whakatāne Airport.

Is it better to stay in Whakatāne or Ōhope?

For a holiday, Ōhope: you're on an 11 km beach with Ōhiwa Harbour behind you, and Whakatāne's shops and cafés are still only 15 minutes away.

SALT & PEPPEROHOPE

Salt House
Pepper House
Gallery
The Area

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Aerial view from Ōhope Beach across the dunes to Ocean Road

Staying near Whakatāne

Fifteen minutes over the hill, and you wake up on the beach.

Lots of people searching for accommodation in Whakatāne don’t realise Ōhope is right next door. It’s the beach suburb on the other side of the hill, about 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of town. If you’re coming to the area for a holiday, a wedding, a tournament or to visit family, it’s worth a look.

Why stay in Ōhope

The beach: Ōhope Beach is 11 km of sand, voted New Zealand’s Most Loved Beach by AA members in 2014 and Best Family Beach in the NZ Herald awards from 2022 to 2024.
The harbour: Ōhiwa Harbour sits behind the sandspit, with calm water for kids, kayaks and boats.
It’s quiet: no main road traffic, no town noise, and the sound of the surf at night.
Whakatāne is still close: supermarkets, cafés on The Strand, boat tours to Moutohorā (Whale Island) and the airport are all within about 25 minutes.

Salt & Pepper

Salt & Pepper are two identical four-bedroom beach houses side by side on Ocean Road, directly across from the sand. Each sleeps 8 across three queens and two king singles, with three bathrooms. Book one house for your family, or both for a group of up to 16. Full details are in our group accommodation guide.