The Guide to the Whanganui Journey© Visit Ruapehu
The Guide to the Whanganui Journey

The Guide to the Whanganui Journey

© Visit Ruapehu

Everything You Need to Know About the Whanganui Great Walk

Paddle your way in the shadows of towering river gorges which hold back thick native forest as you take on the Whanganui Journey. This 145km (90 miles) river trip is unique among the 9 New Zealand Great Walks because, well, it doesn’t involve much “walking”. Gliding down the Whanganui River in a canoe or kayak is one of the only ways to explore this extremely remote part of the North Island, the Whanganui National Park.

What makes the Whanganui Journey so unique, also, is that it is the only Great Walk where you can stay in a marae overnight – just an example of the spiritual and cultural relationship the Whanganui Maori have with the river. What’s more, travelling down the Whanganui River is like travelling back in time with so much natural and undisturbed scenery. That’s with the exception of the famous Bridge to Nowhere engulfed in the ever-growing native New Zealand forest.

So take a look at the guide below to plan your trip into the heart of Whanganui National Park along the mighty Whanganui River.

Important Things to Know Before You Go

  • Book your place in the huts and campsites well in advance if doing the journey between 1 October – 30 April. During the rest of the year, the huts and campsites are on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Hut accommodation is only available between Whakahoro and Pipiriki. If you start the Whanganui Journey from Tauramanui or Ohinepane, you will need a tent.
  • There is no phone service on the Whanganui Journey.
  • Once you pass Whakahoro, you have to complete the Whanganui Journey. (There’s no turning back or stopping your trip mid-way).
  • Take everything you will need on the journey with you – there is nowhere to shop of supplies once you are on the river. (Obviously, you knew this, but just in case your common sense is lacking…)

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

How Many Days of the Whanganui Journey Should You Do?

Although we recommend doing the entire length of the Whanganui Journey, time, money for longer equipment hire, and your access to camping equipment may restrict how many days of the Whanganui Journey you do.

5 Days – Taumarunui-Pipiriki

This is the option for those who don’t want to miss a thing! The 5-day trip includes the most adventurous section over 46 river rapids that you will not get to experience if you cut your journey short. To do the full 5 days, you’ll need to start from Taumarunui. You’ll also need camping equipment, as there are only campsite accommodations for the first 94.5km (12 miles).

4 Days – Ohinepane-Pipiriki

Starting from Ohinepane, this allows you to take a detour up the Ohura River to Ohura Falls, that you would otherwise miss if you took 3 days. You’ll need camping equipment for the campsites, as the nearest hut is 72.5km (45 miles) away from Ohinepane.

3 Days – Whakahoro-Pipiriki

This is the most popular option for those who just want to see the scenic middle section of the journey, which also includes a 45-minute hiking detour to the famous Bridge to Nowhere. There are also a few rapids to glide down towards the end of the journey. Plus, those who do not have camping equipment can choose to stay in the two huts.

The Guide to the Whanganui Journey© Visit Ruapehu

How to Get to the Whanganui Journey

Because the Whanganui Journey is a one-way trip, you’ll have to arrange transport to an arranged pick-up and drop-off point. The canoe hire companies often organise transport to and from the Whanganui Journey access points listed below. Transport and equipment hire can be arranged from companies operating in Ohakune, National Park Village, Taumarunui, Whanganui, Raetihi.

If you are organising your own transport, with a friend or WWOOFing hosts for example, then follow the directions below to get to the Whanganui Journey.

Taumarunui is the access point to the Whanganui Journey if you are wanting to do the entire 145km (90 miles) of the Whanganui Journey. For those organising their own transport, access to the river from Taumarunui is at Ngahuinga (Cherry Grove).

Ohinepane is accessed from Taumarunui and is an access point for the Whanganui River a little further downstream. From Taumarunui, drive to the end of River Road 43.

To shorten your trip on the Wanganui River to 3 days, use the access from Whakahoro. Getting there requires a lengthy drive down a winding gravel road. From Owhango on State Highway 4, follow Oio Road then continue on the gravel road all the way to Whakahoro. Alternatively, from Raurimu on State Highway 4, follow Raurimu Kaitieke Road all the way to the end and continue on the gravel road to Wakahoro.

Pipiriki is your final destination on the Whanganui Journey. Transport should only be arranged as a pick-up point only. To get there from Raetihi, off State Highway 4, take the Pipiriki Raetihi Road all the way to Pipiriki.

The Guide to the Whanganui Journey© NZPocketGuide.com

Equipment to Take on the Whanganui Journey

As the Whanganui Journey is a canoe journey like no other in New Zealand, you’ll need to have some specialised equipment. There are plenty of companies hiring out this equipment in the Whanganui National Park’s surrounding towns and villages: Ohakune, National Park Village, Taumarunui, Whanganui and Raetihi.

When booking your equipment for the Whanganui Journey, make sure it includes:

  • Canadian canoe or kayak
  • Paddles (including a spare)
  • Plastic drums to store and keep personal items dry
  • Dry bags
  • Life-jacket

For personal items, such as clothing, food and more, be sure to check out How to Prepare for a Great Walk in New Zealand and the Department of Conservation website.

© James Heremaia - Tourism NZ

Accommodation on the Whanganui Journey

The Whanganui Journey Great Walk is serviced by two Department of Conservation huts and 11 campsites. For both camping and the huts, you will need a sleeping bag. You must book in advance to use these accommodation facilities between the dates of 1 October – 30 April. No booking is required outside of this season. Remember to take some cash to pay for accommodation as you go. There is usually a box to leave your payment.

Campsites

If you intend to camp on the Whanganui Journey, you will need your own tent. Be aware that if you are starting the Whanganui Journey from Taumarunui or Ohinepane, campsites are your only accommodation option until the John Coull hut south of Whakahoro.

Campsites facilities include:

  • Cooking shelter
  • Water supply
  • Sinks
  • Toilets (bring your own toilet paper)

Learn more about campsites at Camping in New Zealand.

Huts

When starting the Whanganui Journey from Wakahoro, you can avoid camping by staying in the two huts: the John Coull Hut and the Tieke Kainga Hut (which is also used as a marae).

Both huts are serviced with:

  • Bunks with mattresses
  • Heating (bring matches or a lighter)
  • Gas cooking stoves
  • Water supply
  • Toilets (bring your own toilet paper)
  • Sinks

How to Prepare for the Whanganui Journey Great Walk

Don’t set off on your canoe trip without checking our these articles to help you prepare for your Great Walk!

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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