2 Day Whanganui with Jetboat
Difficulty –
Easy Rider
2 Day Whanganui Trip with Jetboat.
If you just don't have time for the 3 day trip then this is a great alternative.
This trip covers the scenic 87km section of the Whanganui National Park, and includes a jetboat ride down the last part of the river to Pipiriki.
Ideal for a 2 day weekend.
The first night is at John Coull Hut and Campsite, and on day two after a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere we take a thrilling Jetboat ride to Pipiriki.
We depart our base in Ohakune at 7.30am for a scenic drive to Whakahoro on the Whanganui River.
After unloading, paddle instruction by the guides, and a practice we set off on the 37.5km paddle down to John Coull hut and campsite. We stop for morning tea and lunch along the way, and paddle past many historic sites from the early Riverboat days, as well as many Maori village sites.
After breakfast on day two we paddle 18km down to the start of the Bridge to Nowhere track. After lunch it is a short walk along the remains of the old road to the historic Bridge to Nowhere.
Returning to the river it is then a short paddle until we are met by the Jetboat, and then a thrilling 25km ride through the lower gorge and rapids down to Pipiriki where we are met by our bus.
It is a one hour drive back to Ohakune for afternoon tea. The trip finishes at around 4pm.
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: $525/Adult, $405/Child
Trip Dates and Group Discounts: With a family of 2 adults and 3 children (15 and under) the third child pays 20% of the child rate. (plus the $95.00 jetboat fee)
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.
