WHAKATANE ATTRACTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20988, 15 December 1939, Page 5

WHAKATANE ATTRACTIONS

Good Motor Road

Safe Surfing Beach With the general improvements in both motor cars and main highways, Waikato residents, when planning their holidays, look even further afield today than last year. Everyone has heard of the charm of Ohope Beach, but it has not been possible, until very recent years, to plan a beach trip so far from home with any degree of comfort and assurance. Today, with the modern car, caravan, camping equipment and good roads, beaches, seemingly far away a few years ago are brought within easy travelling distance of one’s home town. This is most noticeable with Whakatane and Ohope. A glorious road, bitumen surface practically the whole distance from Hamilton and surrounding district, through Rotorua, has brought this beach within reach of anyone desiring a quiet beach holiday. Facilities at Beach Ohope itself is spread along the beach. There is a well-managed hostel with post office and store attached, asphalt tennis courts, a large dance hall, with a superb floor, stores, tea rooms, butchers, milk and cream delivery, and a bowser station. There are two motor camp sites, with electrical cooking devices for hire and all the necessities for a really comfortable holiday. Camp cottages are spread out along the beach, sheltered by towering pohutukawas and native bush. The camp sights are situated under shady trees. Ohope beach is claimed to be the safest bathing and surfing beach in New Zealand. The beach is level, with no big and dangerous waterholes, the surf comes rolling in in grand style at certain times, and the sand itself is white, sparkling, and clean. Maori History Visitors to the district and the beach should not fail to spend a few hours in Whakatane itself. A growing town with many modern business premises, Whakatane is a symbol of the wealth of the Bay of Plenty. The town is full of interest and legends dating back some 20 generations ago, when the Maoris, under Toi Kairakau, landed at this spot and built the ancient pa. There was once a beautifully carved meeting house, erected in 1874, at Whakatane. This was presented to Queen Victoria by the Whakatane Maoris, and later displayed at the Wembley Exhibition. The present pa is named Wairaka and is situated at the far end of the town beyond the wharf.

The unique rock, which stands in the town between two streets is named Pohaturoa (the lofty one), and was held by the Auckland Constabulary in 1870, when native troubles in the district caused uneasiness.

The shops, in the town are of a very high standard and the holiday-maker can shop with the confidence he has in his own home town. No charge is made at the Whakatane Domain, where the camp site is situated, the usual conveniences are provided and the water is laid on. Altogether the Bay of Plenty, Whakatane and Ohope in particular, is a pleasant place to Bpend a holiday and people are assured of a quiet, restful, healthy vacation at this charming beach.