Whanganui Journey in New Zealand
From rapids and canoeing to going through untamed mother nature firsthand these are just some of the things you will encounter on your Whanganui Journey in New Zealand.
Appreciate the sights on the Whanganui Journey.
New Zealand has turn out to be a mecca for outdoor adventurers.
We have never been wherever in the earth wherever it’s so uncomplicated to get out into the wilderness independently.
Want to canoe down a stunning and remote extend of river for five days without having a guidebook? Certain.
No expertise in canoeing? No problems – the person you rent the canoe from will give you a few ideas before you established off. Seems like your type of adventure?
Here’s anything you need to know about paddling the Whanganui Journey, one of the 9 Excellent Walks of New Zealand.
Really do not miss out on our full guide to the best climbing in New Zealand!
Introduction To Paddling the Whanganui Journey
Established in the coronary heart of the North Island, the Whanganui Journey is a 145 km canoe vacation down the Whanganui River.
The Whanganui Journey acquired Terrific Wander status for becoming a significant Maori journey and it is the only Terrific Wander wherever you can continue to be in a Marae (a standard conference ground and focal stage for Maori communities).
Whilst the full 145 km journey takes 5 times, if this appears like it is a bit much you can paddle the most beautiful segment in just 3 times (a overall of 87 km).
There are a selection of huts and campsites (and even one lodge) that you can continue to be at alongside the Whanganui River Journey. You are going to also get to delight in the surroundings of Whanganui National Park.
If you like solitude you can select campsites in Whanganui Nationwide Park that vary from the principal route that most individuals acquire, which we’ll define beneath.
There are a handful of providers who can organise every little thing including canoe retain the services of, dry barrels for all your garments and meals, transfers to and from the ‘track’, and a full briefing on the route and situations on the river.
Whilst the Whanganui River has a couple of notorious rapids (one particular nicknamed the 50/50 for apparent explanations) on the route it’s achievable even for novices to handle the whole five times.
Until eventually the Whanganui Journey, the longest we experienced ever kayaked for was two hours, so we surely believe it’s attainable for anyone with a feeling of experience to manage.
The vast majority of the Whanganui Journey is on flat, placid water or modest rapids and you spend about 5 hours paddling for each day.
You before long get into a constant rhythm and the time goes rapidly as you acquire in the sights on the Whanganui River and get pleasure from a really unique practical experience.
Soak up the sights even though canoeing the Whanganui River Journey
Whanganui Journey Overview
Times demanded: 3 – 5
You commence from Taumarunui to do the 5 working day model, or Whakahoro for the a few day version of the Whanganui Journey.
Most effective Time To Do The Whanganui River Journey
The New Zealand summer is the ideal time for warmer temperatures and additional secure weather (some firms quit running in the winter, if you slide in it is heading to be freeeezing).
We’d recommend steering clear of school and public holiday seasons as they can get chaotic.
The formal Good Walks period operates from 1st October to 30th April.
Fees
Fees for the Whanganui Journey can fluctuate depending on which business you use. But – like most of New Zealand – it is not low-cost.
Canoe employ the service of starts off at $190 NZD for each man or woman for the a few day model and $205 NZD for every human being for the five working day variation (this incorporates barrels, transfers, life jackets, paddles, crisis beacon, maps and a briefing).
Accommodation
Most persons continue to be in the DOC administered campsites and huts, although there are two lodge choices for your second and fourth night time if you select.
The huts and campsites are pretty basic, with the campsites supplying working water (which wants to be purified) and extended fall bathrooms.
The huts give these as nicely as gasoline stoves and bunks.
The charge is concerning $20 – 32 NZD for each person for every evening (with tenting getting the more cost-effective of the two) between Oct and April.
If you want to deal with on your own on the final night of the Whanganui Journey there is also a beautiful lodge with scorching showers and totally free selfmade muffins.
We had been so satisfied that we resolved to go for a bit lux immediately after four reliable times paddling, two of which had been in torrential rain.
Significantly less people today know that you can also remain in the Blue Duck Station on evening two if you would like a non-public home.
Make guaranteed you have a large-top quality, lightweight backpacking tent with you for camping in the course of the Whanganui Journey.
Food items
There are a pair of cafes alongside the way (day a person and two), but apart from that you will have to have to bring all of your foodstuff.
This can be packed in barrels that are tied to the canoe, you will need to have food stuff that will keep exterior of a fridge for up to five times.
We’d suggest cereal bars or porridge for breakfast, treats for lunch and packet food like pasta for supper (we appreciated pesto pasta with cheese for evening meal most nights).
Canoe Firms
Three firms can support with the logistics of the Whanganui Journey and there’s not significantly difference in between them.
We selected Whanaganui River Canoes dependent in Raetihi, but alternatively, there is Tauamrauni Canoe Employ the service of in Taumraruni or Yeti Canoes in Ohakune.
Which organization you choose may perhaps depend on which spot you want to stay in ahead of and right after your experience which was our purpose for selecting Whanganui Rivers Canoes.
Rapids
The very first two times of the Whanganui River Journey have a succession of fairly quick rapids, but there is only 1 in which you may well get thrown out.
We arrived close but managed to just about keep in, so falling out is even now rather not likely.
The 3rd and fourth days are as flat as they arrive, minus just one whirlpool at the starting of day a few.
We did see somebody tip in this article but evidently this isn’t frequent.
The last working day has exciting rapids. There are two at the very finish of the Whanganui River Journey which are so bumpy that 50% of men and women appear out of their canoe.
Nonetheless, most of the faster rapids are slim, meaning you can paddle to the side and avoid the worst of them if you want to (but then you are going to be lacking out on some of the pleasurable!).
What To Pack For Your Whanganui River Journey
Rain Coats
Thermals
Foods: Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, treats, and tea/espresso
Toilet Paper (none of the huts and campsites have this)
Gas burner and matches for the campsites
Consuming drinking water – at minimum for the start out. Afterward you’ll need to boil some h2o or use purification tablets
A camping kitchen set – pot to boil, plate, cutlery, and mug
A warm sleeping bag (even in summer time it can fall to single digits)
Battery pack to demand digital camera batteries
Ear plugs/headphones – You have not knowledgeable snoring right until you’ve stayed in a DOC hut
Sunshine cream and insect repellent
Torch
Rubbish luggage – All that you take in, ought to go out with you
Moist wipes – To maintain a semblance of hygiene
The Whanganui Journey Itinerary
Day 1: Taumaranui to Ohinepane, 22km (about 3.5 several hours)
Not way too numerous persons decide on to do the five-day version, skipping the first two days and commencing at Whakahoro.
This usually means you’re likely to have these stretches of the Whanganui River all to your self, and that can make it fairly special.
The initially day of the Whanganui River Journey is shorter, but it definitely lets you start off with a bang.
The Terrific Walks tutorial describes it only as “a day of rapids”!
We ended up novices when it came to canoeing, so ended up quite anxious about even controlling the canoe, permit by yourself navigating the rapids.
In the initially 4 bends, you facial area two pretty turbulent rapids that toss you around, baptizing you in the Whanganui River.
Right after the preliminary bumps, matters get a bit less difficult and far more clear-cut.
There are loads of speedy rapids on corners to continue to keep the pleasure up and you are going to do nicely if you really do not get trapped in the eddys (the other facet of a speedy which flows in the reverse route to the river, spinning you about).
It is good to say we expended a good amount of time on times one and two spinning uncontrollably but usually remaining spat out in the stop!
The Whanganui River here is largely as a result of the farmlands and rolling hills, it feels like you’re gliding via Hobbiton.
It’s a entertaining stretch of paddling with some beautiful landscapes that are punctuated with some rapids for exhilaration.
A top rated tip is to look out for the lavender farm (there is a compact signal) on the ideal-hand facet of the Whanganui River, all-around 18 km in.
There’s a tiny sandbank to moor at and a stairway top up to the farm.
They have a coffee store here which makes for a blissful split.
They really don’t settle for international playing cards, so make confident you convey hard cash.
The homemade muffins have been mouth watering.
Right after 3.5 hrs of paddling you are going to make it to Ohinepane Campsite.
The neighborhood chickens are a minor around-pleasant and will be pecking about your tent most of the evening before waking you up very first factor in the early morning! It is a wonderful place nevertheless, with a smaller cooking area and rest room.
Delight in the canoe experience on the Whanganui River
Working day 2: Ohinepane – Whakahoro, 35km (about 5.5 several hours)
The second day may possibly have transformed lately, but when we paddled (in April 2018) there had been a big storm that produced a lot of slips in the spot.
This intended that trees experienced arrive down from the tops of the valley into the Whanganui River, building more obstacles.
This may possibly have altered because, but be ready for this part to have far more obstacles than the maps will present!
As you set off, you’re confronted with a biggish immediate to relieve you into the working day!
The rest of the day will have rather a handful of rapids to pace you alongside and retain factors intriguing.
You pass by a large amount more gorgeous surroundings and you sense like you are commencing to head absent from civilization.
The second 50 percent of the day is the segment that leads to Whakahoro and necessitates the most notice as several trees have fallen into the river and lodged there.
This in flip developed rapids that flowed by means of them and – if you are not watchful – could choose you straight into a tree.
You’ll need to have to be well prepared to paddle incredibly difficult as before long as you see them.
The day finishes at Whakahoro: a campsite and bunkhouse that is 400m up a steep hill!
Lugging the barrels up experienced just about all people cursing the spot, but after there it is a actually attractive spot.
On the other hand, the major reward is the Blue Duck Station, a guesthouse where by you can fork out for a sizzling shower ($4NZD) and dig into piping warm foods (together with bacon and egg brekkies) and very hot drinks.
Pop alongside as before long as you can as the meal (served communal fashion) does demand booking.
It is just a number of minutes from the campsite to the Blue Duck.
The Whakahoro is the finest campsite on the Whanganui Journey, set on the leading of a cliff among the farmland on the lookout down to the Whanganui River. It’s a seriously picturesque vantage stage.
The campsite in Whanganui Countrywide Park
Day 3: Whakahoro – John Coull Hut, 37.5km (about 5.5 several hours)
Day three is in which the surroundings ways up a gear as you enter the Whanganui Gorge and the start off of the Whanganui National Park.
This is when all highway entry stops and you really enter the wilderness of the national park.
Right away you’ll be dwarfed by substantial cliffs on possibly side of you, the only seems are that of your paddle and the early morning chook tune.
Whakahoro is the place most people begin the Whanganui Journey, selecting to stay clear of the rapids of the to start with two times.
Having said that, those rapids have been very good teaching for what will be coming on day five!
The segment from Whakahoro to John Coull is not just very picturesque, it is also an extremely quiet area of the river.
At points we chose to cease paddling solely, drifting in comprehensive silence and taking in our surroundings in the countrywide park.
If you have experienced rain there will be loads of waterfalls on this stretch.
The only impediment to navigate is a whirlpool that aims to propel you into a cave!
So extended as you paddle tough and extensive, you will be ok.
We tried this and cleared it safely (well, aside from being spun backward).
As the river is very nevertheless, working day a few needs a ton additional paddling and exertion than the very first two.
It is only when you have a fully even now river that you realise how much the speedy-flowing rapids actually assisted!
This is the initially level that you can pick out to stay in a hut rather than tenting.
Want a different paddling adventure? Check out our article on kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park!
Maintain your eyes open and love the character
Day 4: John Coull Hut – Bridge to Nowhere Lodge, 29km (about 5 hours)
Day four was our favorite day of the complete Whanganui Journey.
There is a chance to prevent at the mysterious Bridge to Nowhere, the landscapes is breathtaking and if you determined to deal with oneself, there is the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge (far more on that afterwards).
The working day commenced with two hrs of major rain (common in NZ) paddling by means of the thick soupy drinking water to the landing for the Bridge to Nowhere wander.
We’d propose likely early as this is a preferred working day trip in the place (you can acquire a jet boat to it from a town more up the river), so you will want to prevent the crowds and be capable to find mooring for your canoe.
Right after a limited stroll, you will get to the Bridge to Nowhere –quite basically what it suggests on the tin. It is a remnant of a job to carry obtain for vehicles to the Whanganui River and support the creating of a settlement for returned soldiers from the To start with Globe War.
However, the land was not conducive for farming and settlement, and it was deserted.
The bridge remained, it’s now lined in ferns and regenerated bushland.
It’s a genuinely spectacular sight and not to be missed.
You can stroll across it or choose it in from the viewpoint above.
We truly liked finding out of the canoe and exploring this space.
Just make absolutely sure you provide some sneakers that do properly in mud. Flip-flops would be tough together this path immediately after rain.
Immediately after the Bridge to Nowhere it is a gentle a few-hour paddle to your lodging for the day.
If you go with the DOC choices, you can camp or remain at a conventional Marae.
In this article you can working experience a glimpse of the indigenous culture of New Zealand.
Whether you get a regular Maori greeting is dependent on their designs for the day, it did not come about on our vacation, but we have listened to it generally does.
On the reverse aspect of the river is the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge.
Tucked on the best of a hill, this area has a stellar check out.
But even improved, it has sizzling showers, non-public comfortable bedrooms and – very best of all – a bar!
Soon after 4 times paddling, we thought a glass of wine was well deserved.
You can also get a home made meal (we cooked for ourselves as the evening meal was dear) and breakfast.
It was pure bliss.
There’s a lounge with board games and guides to study so it could be really a social put depending on who’s there at the time.
Bridge to Nowhere
Working day 5: Bridge to Nowhere Lodge – Papriki, 21.5km (about 4 several hours)
The ultimate day of the Whanganui River Journey is a small stretch of river in advance of hitting the two roughest rapids of the whole journey, and the types that throw out 50% of people who attempt them.
The working day begins out on relaxed river again, ahead of achieving Ngāporo wherever the 1st large immediate is.
The rapids are just ahead of the campsite and you can opt for to plow straight by the middle for the final experience or round the outside the house for the minimum opportunity of capsize.
It is not long in advance of you strike the second immediate.
We viewed two actually keen canoers go head on into the swift, and were shortly tipped out into the river!
Possessing shed to the immediate they swam to catch their canoe and spent the next five minutes bailing h2o out, they had been in the unfortunate 50%!
When extra, you can decide on to go by it, or paddle extensive and as a result of the safer section.
There’s a last rapid that is just in advance of the landing at Pipriki and is an additional enjoyable a person to navigate.
If you do it ideal, you can get propelled to the end, scarcely possessing to paddle!
By the time you get there at Pipriki you’ll have paddled 145 km of the Whanganui River by means of the beautiful New Zealand countryside.
The Whanganui River Journey is an epic journey, and one we beloved the reality you are ready to go it by yourself with out a guideline.
Don’t pass up this canoe journey and the most unconventional of the Good Walks of New Zealand.
The sights of Whanganui are nothing at all limited of breathtaking.
If you have not quenched your thirst for Wonderful Walks, you can endeavor the Tongariro Northern Circuit which is only 30 minutes absent. This is a Fantastic Walk through volcanic landscape and incorporates the Tongariro Crossing – which has been explained as 1 of the ideal working day walks in the entire world.
