Whanganui Journey: The Great Walk You Paddle, Canoe Guide & Bookings

Overview

The Whanganui Journey is the Great Walk that isn't a walk. It's a canoe or kayak trip down the Whanganui River through Whanganui National Park, with remote hills, bush-clad gorges, moss-dripping cliffs and, after rain, countless waterfalls.

You choose the length:

• Full journey: 145 km, Taumarunui to Pipiriki, about 5 days
• The most scenic section: 88 km, Whakahoro to Pipiriki, about 3 days
• 1- and 2-day trips, some with jet boat sections, through local operators

The river is Te Awa Tupua, recognised as a living being "from the mountains to the sea". Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi have lived along it since about 1100 AD.

Guided, unguided or jet boat?

• Guided trips are strongly recommended for less experienced paddlers and solo travellers.
• To go unguided, you should be a confident swimmer, have canoe experience, be fit enough to paddle 6–7 hours a day (8+ in low flows), be over 10, and travel with at least one other person.
• Jet boat tours reach the Bridge to Nowhere without paddling.

River sections

Highlights

• Ōhura Falls, a short detour up the Ōhura River
• Gorges below Whakahoro, with the Tarepokiore (whirlpool) rapid and Tamatea's Cave. The cave is wāhi tapu, so don't enter it.
• Long-tailed bats at dusk near John Coull Hut, and brown kiwi calling at night
• The Bridge to Nowhere, a 1 hr 30 min return walk (3 km) from Mangapurua Landing to an abandoned bridge from the failed Mangapurua Valley farm settlement. The landing is very slippery when wet.
• Tīeke Kāinga, a working marae as well as a hut, offering a unique cultural stay. Learn the tikanga before you arrive.

Huts, campsites and bookings

• Great Walks season (1 October – 30 April): Book huts and campsites in advance. You won't be charged extra if high river levels hold you at a site for another night.
• 1 May – 30 September: Huts and campsites are first come, first served. Pay with hut passes or tickets, and pay campsite fees in cash at the Ohinepane or Whakahoro fee boxes. Only very experienced winter river paddlers should go then.
• The huts have no toilet paper. Water isn't treated.

Access points

• Taumarunui: Ngā Huinga (Cherry Grove) Domain
• Ohinepane: Off SH43 (Whanganui River Road)
• Whakahoro: About 43 km down Oio Road from SH4 near Ōwhango. It's rough and narrow, so allow plenty of time.
• Pipiriki (the usual finish): 76 km up the Whanganui River Road from Whanganui, or 27 km from Raetihi

Canoe, barrel and gear hire, transport and food are available in the nearby towns.

Safety on the river

• Always wear a life jacket and carry a distress beacon, as there's no mobile coverage.
• Don't paddle if the river is flooding or rising. Tie your canoe up securely, because rivers can rise overnight.
• Keep to the true right. When a jet boat comes, move right, stop or back-paddle, and turn into the wake.
• No alcohol on the river, out of respect and for safety. Wasps are common from January to May.

Good to know

No dogs. No hunting in the river trench. Camp only at designated sites.