Canoe Safaris Whanganui River Journey

4 Day Guided Canoe Tour exploring the Whanganui National Park. No experience necessary - you bring a sleeping bag and personal gear, and we do the rest!

Itinerary
Sample itinerary - can vary with river and campsite conditions

Day One:
We depart Ohakune between 6.30 am and 7 am for the river. At Whakahoro, we unload canoes and barrels and show you how to pack y...Show More

4 Day Guided Canoe Tour exploring the Whanganui National Park. No experience necessary - you bring a sleeping bag and personal gear, and we do the rest!

Itinerary
Sample itinerary - can vary with river and campsite conditions

Day One:
We depart Ohakune between 6.30 am and 7 am for the river. At Whakahoro, 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 give instructions 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 gorge starts to narrow, and we leave the last road access point behind at Whakahoro - the second and final mooring point for the Houseboat. We pass Lacey's and Wade's landings and several old Maori Kaianga. Later in the morning, we pass Mangapapa campsite, Man of War Bluff, Kirikiriroa, where the river does a huge horseshoe turn, the Verandah, the Whirlpool, and on down to Tamatea's Cave and a possible lunch stop at Ohauora campsite. There is plenty of time for stops along the way, and there are many safe places to get out and swim. We camp at the John Coull Hut and the campsite.

Day Two:
Breakfast and on the river at 9 am. A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamomona rivers, Mangawaiiti campsite, and Otumangu landing - one of the post WW1 farming settlements. Shortly afterwards, we see the first pine trees since Whakahoro (planted by the early settlers), and we stop at the Mangapurua for lunch and a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (45 min each way). After the walk, there is time for a swim before we paddle the last 1.5 hours down to Bridge to Nowhere Lodge and Cabins. If the weather and time allow, we also take a short walk at Tangahoe landing to the Tangahoe waterfall. Dinner and hot showers at the cabins. (Please note - book early to ensure a bed)

Day Three:
After a leisurely breakfast, there is a walk to the Matemateonga track and up to the Puketotara hut. View across to Mt Ruapehu. After returning to the lodge, we are back on the river for a short paddle until lunch. We pass Kahura Landing, one of the locations for the filming of River Queen. It is an hour paddle through the steep gorge until the river cascades through Ngaporo rapid and down to Ngaporo - our final campsite

Day Four:
After breakfast, we paddle past the Mangaio stream and Mangaio rock, where several of the early eyebolts can still be seen that were winching points for the riverboats. From Autapu rapid, there are several small rapids before the Paparoa rapids swing the canoes past the old eel traps and down to the landing at Pipiriki.

5 Day Guided Canoe Tour exploring the Whanganui National Park. No experience needed. You bring sleeping bags and personal gear, and we do the rest.

A Canoe Trip through the spectacular Whanganui National Park is a great way to unwind away from the pressures of everyday life. Just imagine a holiday away from it all, no cell phones, no television, no shops, no traffic. Just you and your...Show More

5 Day Guided Canoe Tour exploring the Whanganui National Park. No experience needed. You bring sleeping bags and personal gear, and we do the rest.

A Canoe Trip through the spectacular Whanganui National Park is a great way to unwind away from the pressures of everyday life. Just imagine a holiday away from it all, no cell phones, no television, no shops, no traffic. Just you and your partner, an open Canadian canoe, a few books maybe, and some friends to share in this unique experience. The most popular journey is the five-day Whanganui experience. A vast portion of the stretch we cover is almost inaccessible from land. This is the type of adventure that all New Zealanders and visitors alike should experience at least once in their lives. Words alone cannot describe its special magic.

This is our most popular trip. If you want a real holiday away from the TV and phone, then this is it. If you have children, then this is an ideal option. There are 2 different starting points for the 5 days, depending on river levels, Ohinepane or Whakahoro.

We often meet clients at our base in Ohakune the night before the trip to check river gear and allow you to meet the guides. We have 6 Motel units at our base and plenty of safe off-street parking, so once you arrive, it's very quick and easy to get packed for the trip.

Most of our guests stay at our lodge accommodation in Ohakune the night before the trip and the night after the trip. This makes for an easy start and allows guests plenty of time to pack/stuff all their gear into their river barrels.

3 Days guided exploring the Whanganui National Park by Canoe. Just bring sleeping bags and personal gear, and we'll do the rest.


Itinerary
Sample itinerary - can vary with river and campsite conditions

Day One:
We depart Ohakune between 6.30 am and 7 am for the river. At Whakahoro, we unload canoes and barrels and show you how to pack your canoe. Guides...Show More

3 Days guided exploring the Whanganui National Park by Canoe. Just bring sleeping bags and personal gear, and we'll do the rest.


Itinerary
Sample itinerary - can vary with river and campsite conditions

Day One:
We depart Ohakune between 6.30 am and 7 am for the river. At Whakahoro, 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 give instructions 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 gorge starts to narrow, and we leave the last road access point behind at Whakahoro - the second and final mooring point for the Houseboat. We pass Lacey's and Wade's landings and several old Maori Kaianga. Later in the morning, we pass Mangapapa campsite, Man of War Bluff, Kirikiriroa, where the river does a huge horseshoe turn, the Verandah, the Whirlpool, and on down to Tamatea's Cave and a possible lunch stop at Ohauora campsite. There is plenty of time for stops along the way, and there are many safe places to get out and swim. We camp at the John Coull Hut and the campsite.

Day Two:
Breakfast and on the river at 9 am. A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamomona rivers, Mangawaiiti campsite, and Otumangu landing - one of the post WW1 farming settlements. Shortly afterwards, we see the first pine trees since Whakahoro (planted by the early settlers), and we stop at the Mangapurua for lunch and a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (45 minutes each way). After the walk, there is time for a swim before we paddle the last 1.5 hours down to Bridge to Nowhere Cabins and campsite. If the weather and time allow, we also take a short walk at Tangahoe landing to the Tangahoe waterfall. Dinner and hot showers at the cabins, depending on availability. (Please note - book early to ensure a bed)

Day Three:
We pass Kahura Landing, one of the locations for the filming of River Queen. It is an hour paddle through the steep gorge until the river cascades through Ngaporo rapid and down to Ngaporo campsite for a break. We paddle past the Mangaio stream and Mangaio rock, where several of the early eyebolts can still be seen that were winching points for the riverboats. Next, it's the Pururoto caves and then the Autapu rapid. If the river is low, there is time to unload a couple of canoes and for the adventurous to take another run through the middle of the waves. A great spot for some action photos! It's also a great place for a swim with the guides through the rapids. From Autapu, there are several small rapids before the Paparoa rapids swing the canoes past the old eel traps and down to the landing at Pipiriki. After unloading boats and loading the trailer, we have a quick stop in Pipiriki and a short one-hour drive back to Ohakune. (approx 4 pm). Time for a cold drink with the guides, afternoon tea, and dinner with the guides if you decide to stay the last night at our lodge. It's a fantastic trip for all ages - perfect for families, and the kids will always have something to do.