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Queenstown - Wellington - Auckland

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Day 9 : Whakatane to Tauranga

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
Whakatane - Tauranga	1.5 hrs	112	70
Totals for Day	1.5 hrs	112	70

Whakatane - Tauranga

112 km (70 miles)
Approximately 1.5 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

Whakatane is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular active volcano that can be visited by launch or helicopter. Other Whakatane attractions include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. In summer, dolphin swimming is the thing to do.

You can choose to follow the main highway through the town of Edgecumbe, famous for its 1987 earthquake, or you can take the coastal road that meets up with the highway at Matata. Fabulous views of the surf coast are a highlight of this journey. Te Puke makes an interesting stop—it has turned its kiwifruit industry into visitor entertainment.

The Bay of Plenty beachy lifestyle becomes obvious as you near the prosperous city of Tauranga, which sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour.

There's a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.