THE Eastern Bay has its own indoor playland for families with the opening of Jungleland Playground and Café in Whakatāne yesterday.

Ketan and Minal Patel have been working towards opening the McAlister Street facility since September last year.

Mr Patel said it was his daughter, Prisha, who gave him the idea.

“We would always travel to Tauranga or Rotorua to an indoor playground for her birthday, and she asked, ‘can we do something in Whakatāne?’

“I checked, and there was nothing like this here. It’s been my dream to set this up since 2021 – it was only a matter of finding the right place and property.”

This is the Patels’ first business, but they are established locals, having lived in Whakatāne for three-and-a-half years.

Shipping delays meant Jungleland was unable to open in the school holidays as planned, but the Patels are looking forward to a busy first weekend.

Their children, Prisha, 9, and Heiyam, 17 months, have been testing the playground to check everything is fun and functional – with positive results.

They invite families to check out the new cafe, with its impressive indoor playground with huge slides, a giant ball pit, a variety of structures to climb, and a range of fun toys and equipment to explore.

Jungleland will also be available for birthday parties and private functions.