New Zealand’s Great Walks: The Whanganui River Trip
The Whanganui River is one of the great walks of New Zealand (despite not being a walk!). Discover all the stunning features that earnt this classification here.
The Whanganui River is one of the great walks of New Zealand (despite not being a walk!). Discover all the stunning features that earnt this classification here.
From rapids and whirlpools to untamed nature, you’ll enjoy an array of thrilling experiences while canoeing New Zealand’s Whanganui River. This NZ Great Walk is a 145km river journey over 5 days although smaller sections can be completed in a lesser amount of time, but hey! - why not make the most of your experience and go the for the full shebang and join us for a 5 Day Guided Whanganui River Trip if you have the time. It might make those of you with feet firmly set upon dry land a little apprehensive, but it should be on every Kiwis bucket list. Find out what to expect on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and discover how it earnt its place among the Great Walks of New Zealand.
If you are completing the challenging and rewarding Te Araroa Trail then we can tailor things to suit you to ensure your transition from one section to another is as smooth as can be. If you need gear transported to the end point to ensure you can carry on the trail from there - No Problem!. If you need us to meet you at the rivers edge for the start of the tour - No Problem!
(Scroll down to find a Whanganui River Map for reference with reading this guide)
During the first day, you’ll pass through a mixture of rolling hills and rising valleys, with nothing but the telltale song of the native bird on the wind, reminding you of the truly untouched nature of the area. A very healthy set of rapids will soon shake you out of your trance, lest you risk taking an unwanted swim this early into the trip. Depending on the time of year, most of our 5 day tours actually start from Ohinepane, this is due to the technical nature of the upper section that can change with every storm or flood with new obstacles and hazards created. And as it isn't a section of river that is technically inside the Whanganui National park itself, we prefer to keep our clients safe and happy by entering just a little bit lower at Ohinepane, avoiding a potential risky situation and setting you all up for success straight away. We are always happy to discuss alternative itineraries to suit each group.
From here, you’ll paddle deeper into the rich and rugged landscape and the beginnings of the Whanganui National Park. Farms become fewer, hills rise, and native forests begin to dominate. Rapids punctuate this stretch of river; you’ll need to navigate successfully to avoid a baptism in the Whanganui.
Whakahoro is where the wilderness truly begins. You’ll pass through towering gorges, dripping with moss and ferns, made more spectacular by the numerous waterfalls bursting from the valley walls. A circular trip will take you around the Kirikiriroa Peninsula before reaching the wāhi tapu or sacred place of Tamatea’s Cave. It’s a long day of paddling, so you may feel it in your arms by the end of it. For anyone wanting to complete a section of the journey in 3 or 4 days, this is where you will begin.
The stunning scenery continues on day four. Bush-covered hills and the river mouths of Tangaraku and Whangamomoma greet paddles as they meander down the river. Once you arrive at Mangapurua Landing, there’s a chance to stretch your legs and walk on this Great Walk. A 45-minute excursion through the surrounding forest will take you to the iconic Bridge to Nowhere.
On the final day, you’ll pass the narrow gorge of the Manganuioteao River as it completes its journey from the slopes of Ruapehu into the Whanganui River. If you’ve managed to stay dry his long, the final day might have other plans for you, The final rapids are notorious for testing your canoe skills in this short but sweet last leg of the journey.
The Wanganui River journey demands its place within New Zealand’s Great Walks due to its breathtaking scenery that has you paddling back through Aotearoa’s past. Want to experience this adventure for yourself but have no canoeing experience? No problem! Canoe Safaris offers a range of guided tours with experienced instructors, from single-day trips to multi-day journeys. To really experience the beauty of the national park we recommend spending a minimum of 3 days on your tour, and if you have the flexibility then opt for the relaxed pace 4 Day Guided Whanganui River Tour or the full 5 Day Trip.
Booking your Whanganui River Journey with Canoe Safaris means you are guaranteed to have an amazing time, rain or shine. With everything included, you just need to bring a smile and a sense of adventure. We take care of the rest - Spacious tents, comfortable & thick mattresses, all gourmet food, Safety equipment, transport to and from the river..... We take care of everything to ensure your focus is on making the most of the Wonderful Whanganui Wilderness.
Book now; the river is waiting! We can't wait to see you out there!
We had a magic 4 days on the Whanganui thanks to Kirsty Phil Keira and Jackson. The equipment, food, guiding and training were faultless. Phil's instruction was enough to make us confident on the river without overloading two novices and Keira's and Jackson's enthusiasm and...
Larry B, New Zealand
We were part of a group of 8 friends doing the 3 day trip with Phil and Wai as guides. They were both terrific and very organised. Phil is excellent explaining how to manoeuvre through the rapids and the safety control was first class.
52Diane
peaceful, primal, professional, Challenging, adrenalin - I experienced all of these on a three day trip down the Whanganui river with a group of 18 people and two amazing guides - Simon and Aiden. These guys worked tirelessly to ensure we were kept safe and well fed and were happy to share their...
Michele Laurie
Did the 3-day guided canoe trip down the Whanganui river with Phil and Simon as our guides. Even though all of us were first-time canoeists and a few of us were non-swimmers, they looked after us very well and were amazing at teaching us the skills we needed to keep ourselves safe. The...
Mark Loh
This was the best family trip ever! Three course meals, a wealth of knowledge from our awesome guides, and no devices, were just three reasons we would highly recommend this adventure. Phil and Simon were amazing guides and worked from the moment we were collected for our trip to the moment we...
Richard Beechey
A couple of good mates decided we'd do this trip some time ago and Canoe Safari's helped make it happen. Alex, Bailey, Lesley and Canon our guides / hosts were absolutely amazing. Scenery was stunning - seems like little has changed on the landscape in hundreds of years... still...
Hawkdwn
I would like to thank Mike, Stefan and Sophie for a great rafting experience on the Mohaka River. They were all such fun, very experienced and wonderful chefs too. Certainly a fantastic holiday and one to be recommended. So a big thank you for making it happen.
Sinda Hall
Had the most enjoyable trip in my life. Took the 4 day canoe safari down the Wanganui river. We thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't have asked for better guides, Erin and Jordan. Their knowledge and expertise was invaluable. The scenery was out of this world, at times we felt as though no one...
Sharon Gamble
This was out and out one of the best experiences I've ever had. The trip exceeded my expectations in every department. The hospitality was second to none and the care taken for all of us was outstanding. Safety was never forgotten and was balanced with a load of fun and great humour...
Simon Christie
Absolutely amazing experience with Canoe safaris! We did a 4-day canoe trip in the Whanganui river with Canoe safaris. Our guides, Phil and Ian are highly experienced, professional and helpful. Almost everything we need were provided, including tent, 3-meals everyday plus snacks, life jacket,...
Mandy Qiu