Whanganui Journey
Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region
Introduction
Explore the scenic Whanganui River by paddling down it through a landscape of remote hills and bush clad valleys. This trip is suitable for people with good fitness and confidence with a canoe.Highlights
Bookings open. Campsites: Good availability | Huts: Good availability
87 or 145 km one way
Kayaking and canoeing
3 or 5 daysSeasonal restrictions
In the Great Walks season (1 October 2021 – 30 April 2022)
- Bookings are required for huts and campsites
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 – 30 September 2021)
- Bookings are not required - huts and campsites are first come, first served
Dog access
Image gallery
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Canoers on the Whanganui Journey Image: | DOC
![Canoers on the Whanganui Journey.]( "Canoers on the Whanganui Journey.")
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Canoers navigate through the choppy rapids Image: Charles Ranginui | Whanganui River Canoes ©
![Two people in a small canoe navigate through choppy rapids on the Whanganui River]( "Two people in a small canoe navigate through choppy rapids on the Whanganui River")
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Be immersed in culture & history with a unique stay at Tieke Kainga Image: | DOC
![People at marae on the Whanganui River journey.]( "People at marae on the Whanganui River journey.")
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Campers at John Coull campsite Image: | DOC
![Campers at John Coull campsite.]( "Campers at John Coull campsite.")
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Canoers make their way through the rapids on the Whanganui journey Image: Charles Ranginui | Whanganui River Canoes ©
![Two people in a canoe navigate through a choppy brown river. They look like they're having fun.]( "Two people in a canoe navigate through a choppy brown river. They look like they're having fun.")
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Take a break from the water on a short walk to the Bridge to Nowhere Image: Robert Dickinson ©
![People on Bridge to Nowhere.]( "People on Bridge to Nowhere.")
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Canoer on the Whanganui Journey Image: | DOC
![Canoer on the Whanganui Journey]( "Canoer on the Whanganui Journey")
Video
Highlights
- Enjoy the Wanganui River in a canoe or kayak.
- Take a break from the water on a short walk to the Bridge to Nowhere.
- Be immersed in culture and history with a unique stay at Tieke Kainga, the only DOC hut that is also used as a marae.
Watch videos of the Whanganui Journey
Trip options
The 145 kilometre river journey from Taumarunui to Pipiriki takes an average 5 days to complete by canoe. A shorter 3 day journey from Whakahoro to Pipiriki is also possible.
Each trip requires a good level of fitness and confidence in using a canoe.
For a 5 day / 4 night trip:
- Day 1 and 2 - Taumarunui to Whakahoro
- Day 3 - Whakahoro to John Coull Hut
- Day 4 - John Coull Hut to Tīeke Kāinga
- Day 5 - Tīeke Kāinga to Pīpīriki
Distances between campsites and huts
- Cherry Grove, Taumarunui to Ohinepane campsite — 22 km
- Ohinepane to Poukaria campsite — 14 km
- Poukaria to Maharanui campsite — 17 km
- Maharanui to Whakahoro campsite and Whakahoro Bunkroom— 4 km
- Whakahoro to Mangapapa campsite — 11 km
- Mangapapa to Ohauora campsite — 16 km
- Ohauora to John Coull Hut — 10.5 km
- John Coull Hut to Mangawaiiti campsite — 9.5 km
- Mangawaiiti to Mangapurua campsite — 9 km
- Mangapurua to Tīeke Kāinga — 10.5 km
- Tieke to Ngaporo campsite — 12.5 km
- Ngaporo to Pipiriki — 9 km
Taumarunui to Whakahoro
Distance: 57km
Access points are at Ngāhuinga (Cherry Grove) in Taumarunui or further downstream at Ōhinepane (accessed from River Road SH43).
Travelling the upper reaches of the Whanganui River, you’ll pass through a mixture of farmland and patches of native bush. You’ll be in for some excitement as you shoot down rapids on this section of the river. Camp beside the river at Ōhinepane, Poukaria or Maharanui campsites or stay in a campsite or bunkhouse at Whakahoro. From here, you get the feeling of venturing into the heart of a rich and rugged landscape.
Whakahoro to John Coull Hut
Distance: 37.5km
Many begin their river journey here—the scenic middle reaches of the river, featuring numerous waterfalls after heavy rain. Past Mangapapa Campsite, take a long loop around the Kirikiriroa Peninsula, pass the Tarepokiore (whirlpool) rapid and then the large overhang known as Tamatea’s Cave. Please do not enter the cave as it is wāhi tapu (a sacred place). Ōtaihanga Reach leads you to your overnight stop at John Coull and Campsite and John Coull Campsite.
You may see long-tailed bats fluttering overhead at dusk.
John Coull Hut to Tīeke Kāinga
Distance: 29km
On this section, follow the river as it meanders through bush-covered hills, passing the mouths of the Tāngārākau and Whangamōmona rivers where they join the Whanganui. Perched high above the river, Manga-wai-iti is an attractive spot to camp or stop for lunch.
Continue your trip downstream to Tīeke Kāinga where you can examine the intricately carved pou whenua and learn about the history of Tīeke and the tikanga (protocol) of the marae.
Tīeke Kāinga information and tikanga (protocol).
Alternative accommodation option: For a more secluded night’s sleep, stay at Puketotara Hut. Opposite Tieke Kainga, this 1 hr and 30 min track takes you high up on the Matemateaonga Range where you will spend the night in podocarp splendour, with expansive views of the Whanganui River, the bush clad hills of Whanganui National Park and the volcanoes of the Central Plateau.
Side trip: Bridge to Nowhere
At Mangapurua Landing, where the old riverboats used to tie up, hop out of your canoe and take the 40-minute (one way) Bridge to Nowhere Walk to this poignant reminder of the Mangapurua Valley farm settlement, carved out of the bush and then abandoned between the two World Wars. Look out for cyclists—the track is also part of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.
Tīeke Kāinga to Pīpīriki
Distance: 21.5km
You’ll pass through the scenic gorge of the Manganui o te Ao River where it enters the Whanganui after its journey from the slopes of Mount Ruapehu. Ngāporo and Autapu rapids can provide plenty of excitement and perhaps a cool dip on a hot day. More exotic trees and farmland indicate you are getting close to Pīpīriki. Pass an eel weir on your left, shoot the Paparoa rapid and you will see the boat ramp below Pīpīriki village up ahead.
Overview
In the Great Walks season (1 October 2021 – 30 April 2022)
- huts and campsites must be booked in advance
- fees are paid at the time of booking.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 – 30 September 2021)
- huts and campsites are first come, first served
- fees are paid with a Backcountry Hut Pass or Hut Tickets.
Fees
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts or campsites on the Whanganui Journey. There are no fees for entry into the Whanganui National Park.
Huts
In the Great Walks season (1 October 2021 – 30 April 2022)
New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:
- Adult (18+ years): $30 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
International visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $30 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): $15 per person, per night
* Proof of eligibility is required for the New Zealand rate.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 – 30 September 2021)
For all visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free
Campsites
In the Great Walks season (1 October 2021 – 30 April 2022)
New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:
- Adult (18+ years): $16 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
International visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $16 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
* Proof of eligibility is required for the New Zealand rate.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 – 30 September 2021)
For all visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $8 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free
Discounts
A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 month Backcountry Hut Pass:
- NZ Mountain Safety Council
- NZ Federated Mountain Clubs
- NZ Deer Stalkers Association
- NZ Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR)
- Scouts New Zealand
- GirlGuiding NZ.
Discounts are not available online. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so visit a DOC visitor centre in person. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee.
What to book
You need to book huts and/or campsites if you're doing the Whanganui Journey in the Great Walks season. Bookings are not required outside the Great Walks season.
How to book
Bookings open. Campsites: Good availability | Huts: Good availability
Book huts / campsites online or contact a DOC visitor centre or a local i-SITE for personal assistance.
Terms and Conditions
Read the booking terms and conditions (scroll to the bottom to find the Terms and Conditions link) for general information, age ranges, prices, discounts, penalty rates and the alterations and cancellations policy. Bookings not meeting the terms and conditions will be treated as invalid and cancelled.
Booking on behalf of others
Guided groups: To operate a commercial activity in an area managed by DOC, you need to apply for a concession (an official permit), in addition to any bookings you would need to make. Read more about concessions
To make multiple bookings for facilities/services on behalf of customers, you must obtain permission or an agent agreement from DOC. To do this, email: agents@doc.govt.nz
Location of the Whanganui Journey
Traditional entry or exit points for the Whanganui Journey are off SH4 at:
- Taumarunui
- Ōhinepane - access from Taumarunui
- Whakahoro - access from Raurimu or Ōwhango
- Pīpīriki access from Raetihi or Whanganui
Equipment hire, services, food and transport can be found in Taumarunui, Whanganui, Raetihi, Ōhakune and National Park Village.
Your safety is your responsibility. Stay safe in the outdoors and follow the five essential steps of the Land Safety Code.
On the Whanganui Journey, be aware
- Once on Whanganui Awa (river), emergency communication is available only at John Coull Hut and Tīeke Marae/Kāinga, and there is only road access to the Awa (river) at Whakahoro and Pipiriki.
- Mobiles do not work on the Whanganui Journey.
- No alcohol allowed on the Whanganui Awa (river). This is for your own safety and for respect to tikanga (protocol).
Watch out for jet boats
- Canoeists should stop and even back-paddle to allow jet boats to overtake and get clear as quickly as possible.
- Jet boats passing canoes travelling in the opposite direction should either wait or barge slowly forward until clear of the canoes. Canoeists in this situation should keep paddling forward. Jet boats moving slowly are much less manoeuvrable and canoeists should not expect them to be able to get out of the way quickly.
- Jet boats in rapids are unable to slow down or stop.
- Remember: Craft travelling up river give way to craft travelling down river.
Weather and river levels
- Heavy rain and flooding can occur at any time of year on the Whanganui River and the weather can change quickly. You will need to be prepared for rain, cold and windy conditions.
- Don’t canoe the river when water levels are predicted to rise or it is in flood – you won't be charged for staying an extra night at a campsite or hut due to high river levels. If you capsize, you may not be able to get back in, or swim to the river’s edge.
- Canoeing into the wind can be demanding – allow extra travelling time between stopovers in windy conditions.
- Always pull your canoe up high on the bank and tie it to something secure. It may not be raining on the river, but rain elsewhere in the large catchment can cause the river to rise several metres overnight.
- Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from January until May. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings
- Check the weather forecast – NIWA website.
Preparation
- The trip should only be undertaken by people in good physical condition and fitness – once you're on the river below Whakahoro, there is no turning back.
- Food and drinks are not available for purchase at huts and campsites.
- What to take on the Whanganui Journey.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date and time to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Basic rules to help everyone enjoy the Whanganui Journey
- Many sites are of high cultural significance – please respect them.
- Camping is permitted only at designated camp sites.
- No dogs or other animals are permitted.
- No open fires – observe fire restrictions.
- Native plants and animals must not be disturbed, destroyed or removed.
- All rubbish must be carried out of the park.
- No hunting.
- Boil, filter or treat water if you doubt its purity.
- Use the toilets provided.
- Keep soap and detergents out of waterways.
- When using huts and campsites please consider others.
- Ensure your booking ticket is with you at all times.
Huts on the Whanganui Journey don't have toilet paper. Remember to take this with you.
Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag (3–4 season)
- Tent (even if staying in a hut)
- First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, blisterkit, personal medication e.g. antihistamine for allergy towasp stings)
- Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high energy snack food)
- Safety equipment relevant to the time of year (eg map, compass)
- Drink bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
- Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel). Gas cookers are in huts – you do not need to take gas.
- Matches or lighter in waterproof container
- Toiletries
- Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
- Toilet paper
- Rubbish bag
- Booking confirmation letter and ID
- Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a back-up toilet option
Specialist equipment
- Life-jacket
- Kayak or Canadian canoe
- Paddle/s (include a spare)
- Plastic drums (or equivalent) for storing food, dry clothes and personal equipment
- Dry bags
- A copy of the New Zealand Canoe Association’s Guide to the Whanganui River (optional)
These items can be hired as a package from local suppliers.
If you're camping
- Tent
- Sleeping mat
Optional
- Camera
- Ear plugs for communual bunkrooms
- Swimwear
- Sandals or aqua shoes for walking in water
Clothing
- For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. Walking boots or firm footwear (should be comfortable and well broken in)
- Socks (wool or polypropylene)
- Shorts (quick dry material)
- Shirt (wool or polypropylene)
- Under layers, top and bottom (wool or polypropylene)
- Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
- Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood)
- Overtrousers (wind and water proof)
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey
Optional
- Lightweight shoes for inside the huts
Food
You can't buy food on the Whanganui Journey.
Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:
- Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads
- Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit
- Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals.
You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on your trip.
Nature and conservation
The land surrounding the river is only about one million years old. Formed of soft sandstone and mudstone (papa) from the ocean-bed, it has been eroded by water to form sharp ridges, deep gorges, sheer papa cliffs and waterfalls.
Over this land has grown a broadleaf-podocarp forest of rata, rewarewa, rimu, tawa, kamahi and kowhai with beech dominant on the ridge tops. Tree ferns and plants that cling to the steep riverbanks are very distinctive.
Bird species such as kereru (native pigeon), tiwaiwaka (fantail), tui, toutouwai (robin), riroriro (grey warbler) and miromiro (tomtit) are often seen and heard. The call of the brown kiwi can often be heard at night. The river is rich in eels, lamprey, species of galaxiid (a group of native fish species including whitebait and kokopu), koura (freshwater crayfish) and black flounder.
History and culture
Māori cultivated the sheltered terraces and built elaborate eel weirs along river channels where eels and lamprey were known to converge. Every bend of the river had kaitiaki (guardian) which controlled the mauri (life force) of that place. The mana (prestige) of a settlement depended upon the way in which food supplies and living areas were looked after for the benefit of the tribe and visitors.
Te Atihaunui, a Paparangi people, settled the valley from 1100 AD. In time the river became linked by a series of pa which were later called 'the plaited fibres of Hinengakau'.
The first major European influence arrived with missionaries in the 1840s. In 1891 a regular riverboat service began carrying passengers, mail and freight to the European settlers on the river between Taumarunui and Pipiriki and thriving tourist trade soon began between Mt Ruapehu and Wanganui.
The main riverboat trade ceased in the 1920s due to better roads, a main trunk railway and the development of other tourist attractions around the country, although riverboats were still operating in the late 1950s.
Contacts
| Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 7 892 3729 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | tongarirovc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Whakapapa Village State Highway 48 Mount Ruapehu |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 71029 Whakapapa Village Mount Ruapehu 3951 |
| Full office details | |