2 Day Upper Whanganui

Sample itinerary - can vary with river and campsite conditions

Day one.  We depart Ohakune between 7.30 and 8.00am for the river. At Ohinepane we unload canoes and barrels and show you how to pack your canoe. Guides then give a talk on river and campsite safety, and then instruction on how to paddle your canoe. On most trips we have 2 guides so if you are a little nervous you are welcome to paddle with a guide for at least the first day. Once the guides are satisfied that everyone can steer their canoe then the group sets off on the river. The first day includes lunch at Poukaria Campsite, and we paddle past the old riverboat landing at Kirikau, and take a short walk at MaraeKowhai. This was the first mooring point of the Houseboat and the first nights stay on the 3 day trip from Taumarunui to Wanganui that was so popular over 100 years ago. View the Ohura falls, and the War and Peace Poles that were erected by the Hau Hau warriors. It is then a short paddle to the first nights camp at Maharanui.

Day Two. The gorge starts to narrow and it is a short mornings paddle down to Laceys Landing and Whakahoro. It is a short paddle up the Retaruke stream to the boatramp where we are met by our bus. We have lunch at the Whakahoro hut (the old schoolhouse) before an afternoon drive back to Ohakune.

Clothing: Consider your clothing in two parts—Firstly, what you will wear canoeing and secondly, what you will need in camp. Also work on the assumption that your canoeing clothes will get wet so you must have a dry change for campwear.

Canoeing Clothes: Swimwear. Sandshoes, sandals or wetsuit booties. Shorts. Sunhat. Woolen or polypropylene top. Waterproof lightweight jacket or parka. Windproof leggings (optional). Woolen socks. Tracksuit or polypro pants (not jeans). Light gloves (for warmth or blisters).

Camping Clothes: Comfortable shoes. Complete change of warm clothes. Spare lightweight top. Warm socks. Towels (2 small). Warm hat (depending on time of year).

Footwear: We advise everyone to wear something on his or her feet at all times. There will be occasions when you will need to step out of your canoe into river shallows. In these slippery conditions sandshoes or sandals are better than jandals.

Miscellaneous Items:  Sleeping bag. Extra snacks, Sunglasses (with strap). Torch. Insect repellent. Suncreen. Camera (with spare film). Plastic bags/rubbish bags. Umbrella (optional). Water bottle. Book or other reading material. First Aid Kit. Spare rope. Personal medication (if required). Other personal items.

Departs Weekends, October to May

Price: $415/Adult, $295/Child

Trip Dates and Group Discounts: With a family of 2 adults and 3 children the third child pays 20% of the child rate.

Group concessions are available.

* Trip start dates are a guideline only – with groups we can start a trip to suit you. We also run extra trips between Christmas and New Year and in early January.