Whanganui Journey

Seasons

In the Great Walks season (1 October 2019 – 30 April 2020):

• huts and campsites must be booked in advance
• fees are paid at the time of booking.

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 30 September 2020):

• 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 Whanganui National Park.

Note there is a maximum number of nights you can stay:

• Great Walks season: maximum 2 nights at huts and campsites
• Outside the Great Walks season: maximum 3 nights at huts, 5 nights at campsites

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 please 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 are open to 30 April 2020.

Book huts / campsites online or contact a DOC visitor centre or a local i-SITE for personal assistance. Note:

• Bookings are required for children and/or youth even though it's free for them to stay.
• If you’re booking campsites, you’ll need to know the number of people in your group as well as the number of tent sites required.

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 

The 145 km 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.

Once you are on the river below Whakahoro there is no turning back and no place to buy anything you may have forgotten.

Make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. The weather in the Whanganui National Park is changeable and can be cold, wet and windy, even in summer. Check at a visitor centre for information on weather and river conditions before you start.

The Whanganui River passes through isolated and rugged country and is a physically demanding journey. It should only be undertaken by people in good physical condition and fitness. Once on the river, emergency communication is available only at John Coull Hut and Tieke Kainga and there is only road access to the river at Whakahoro and Pipiriki.

Don’t canoe the river when water levels are predicted to rise or it’s in flood. If you capsize you may not be able to get back in, or swim to the river’s edge. 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. 

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date 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.

On the river

• The river is not part of Whanganui National Park.
• When a jet boat approaches, canoeists should move to the right. If close to the left, stay there rather than paddle across the path of an approaching boat. To minimise the effect of the wake, turn at right angles to it.
• 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.

To help everyone enjoy the Journey, there are some basic rules:

• 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.

2. Tell someone

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date 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.

3. Be aware of the weather

New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable - expect weather changes and be prepared for them.

Hypothermia

Watch for symptoms: people may shiver, be clumsy, confused, haveslurred speech, and deny they have a problem.

Treatment: immediately make or find shelter; get the person intowarm, dry clothing, put them into a sleeping bag, give them warm,sweet drinks, monitor them and seek immediate medical help.

Heat exhaustion

This can be serious and is usually caused by physical activity in a hot environment and not drinking enough water.

Prevention: carry and drink water regularly.

Watch for symptoms: headaches, thirst, weakness, dizziness, nauseaor vomiting.

Treatment: move to a cool shaded area to rest, remove excessclothing and give water to drink.

On the Whanganui Journey, be aware that:

• 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

More information:

Check the Whanganui rural area weather forecast of the MetService website.

4. Know your limits

Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.

On the Whanganui Journey, be aware that:

• 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.

5. Take sufficient supplies

You must be self sufficient: be sure you have enough food, clothing, equipment and emergency food for the worst-case scenario.

Take an appropriate means of communication such as a personal locator beacon. Personal locator beacons provide increased personal safety. You can rent them from various outlets, check details on the Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ website

On the Whanganui Journey, be aware that:

• Food and drinks are not available for purchase at huts and campsites.
• There is no cellphone coverage on the Whanganui Journey.

More information:

For a comprehensive gear list, read New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association’s Guide to the Whanganui River.