Whakatane - Caves, holes in rocks, huge vistas and safe swimming beaches galore

This is our first holiday to Whakatane, a warm, sunny, coastal town in the Bay of Plenty (NZ's North Island). Stephen did come here on a work visit in the 1970's, but I expect it has changed somewhat since then!
The town is small and easy to walk around. Lots to see-

a big hole in a rock, an old old cave,

boats coming in through the heads, people fishing...and some of the huge pohutukawas (NZ's Christmas Tree) are out already with their vivid red fronds and two toned leaves.

This one was right on the waterfront. I snapped a queue of families waiting to have their catch weighed.

We drove up to the highest point by the trig station and took in the views. Stunning.
 

There is an old maori carving looking out to sea, watching eternally. Way out to sea is Whale Island and behind that White Island, an active volcano.

 We took a walk down a steep track to Otarawairere Beach

 and found aquamarine clear water, huge Pohutukawa trees for shade and a white fine shell beach. The tide was going out, so we thought we'd walk around the point to Ohope Beach, one of the best in the country. Unfortunately the tide wasn't far enough out, and we were forced to turn back when we were almost around the point. Well, we could have jumped into deep water, with waves pounding us as it roared up a channel into a cave, but decided that wasn't really an option we would consider. Here's the channel taken from the point. 

So we turned around again, walked back, climbed 200 or more steps up a cliff side and once at the top, climbed down about the same number to the west end of the beach. More stunning views, well worth the climb.

One evening we ate with friends at a restaurant called Detour, and the food was very good. I had a Moroccan chicken salad and Stephen had a rack of lamb so big he could hardly get through it all. Good value for money and pleasant atmosphere.
 We strongly recommend you include Whakatane on your “go to” list when you visit Down Under