Whanganui River @ Toptracks.info

Where is it? The Whanganui River’s headwaters are on Mount Ruapehu, running through Taumarunui and down to the town of Wanganui. Although you can begin at Taumarunui (Cherry Grove), most groups tend to start at Whakahoro, and do a three day trip. All groups end at Pipiriki. With 15 operators providing a variety of services, it is possible to paddle a section, and be picked up in a jet boat. Most people hire canoes and guide themselves down. Some Swiss tourists recommended ‘Blazing Paddles’ from just south of Taumarunui, so we hired our canoe from them and found their service very good. They will drop you off and pick you up, or even have your car waiting for you at Pipiriki. They provide high quality maps and information on features to look out for when paddling. And their 50 litre waterproof barrels are great. They fit a lot of gear! Without having tried all the other operators, I can’t honestly say who is best. The prices are all competitive. It you want to hire canoes, be dropped off and picked up, you won’t do much better than the previously mentioned company. There are entrance points at Cherry Grove, Ohinepane and Whakahoro. Approximately every two hours down the river is a camping site. All these have toilets, tank water, and tent sites. There are three huts along the way at Whakahoro, John Coull, and Ramanui. Across from Ramanui is Tieke marae that also offers accommodation. The times and distances are something like:
Cherry Grove to	Ohinepane	21.5 km	4 hours approximately
Ohinepane to	Poukaria	14	2
Poukaria to	Maharanui	17.5	3
Maharanui to	Whakahoro	4	0.5
Whakahoro to	Mangapapa	11	2.5
Mangapapa to	Ohauora	15	3
Ohauora to	John Coull	12.5	2
John Coull to	Mangapurua	18.5	3.5
Mangapurua to	Tieke/Ramanui	10.5	2
Tieke/Ramanui to	Ngaporo	12.5	2.5
Ngaporo to	Pipiriki	9	2
For me times like this are a challenge more than a guide, they seem to be about right if you are just drifting and doing little paddling. Starting at Ohinepane is a good option as you get to experience and have fun on a lot of the more gentle rapids and you also see a greater variety of scenery. With the cost the same as the three day trip, if you have the time it is well worth it. However nothing prepares you for the rapids on the last day. These are huge and fast in comparison to what you have been through. But remember, they are still classed as beginners ones!
Track Surface Usually smooth, a bit bumpy in the rapids, or if you are unfortunate enough to hit a submerged branch of which there are many, or rock. The river flows at around five to six kilometres an hour, if you paddle you go faster. Features Serenity, beauty, history, fun! Most of the way you are in a gorge with steep papa sides. However there are many small beaches where you can pull up on and have a break. Accessibility Most people could probably handle this. It would be dangerous for very young children. Dangers Life jackets are supplied, so when you fall out, you will be wet, but are likely to be okay.
Additional Notes Many of the operators have web sites that will provide additional information. The scenery is just as spectacular from a jet boat. See also: Bridge to Nowhere Lodge General river info Department of Conservation and link to PDF This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

The Whanganui River’s headwaters are on Mount Ruapehu, running through Taumarunui and down to the town of Wanganui. Although you can begin at Taumarunui (Cherry Grove), most groups tend to start at Whakahoro, and do a three day trip. All groups end at Pipiriki.

With 15 operators providing a variety of services, it is possible to paddle a section, and be picked up in a jet boat. Most people hire canoes and guide themselves down. Some Swiss tourists recommended ‘Blazing Paddles’ from just south of Taumarunui, so we hired our canoe from them and found their service very good. They will drop you off and pick you up, or even have your car waiting for you at Pipiriki. They provide high quality maps and information on features to look out for when paddling. And their 50 litre waterproof barrels are great. They fit a lot of gear!

Without having tried all the other operators, I can’t honestly say who is best. The prices are all competitive. It you want to hire canoes, be dropped off and picked up, you won’t do much better than the previously mentioned company.

There are entrance points at Cherry Grove, Ohinepane and Whakahoro. Approximately every two hours down the river is a camping site. All these have toilets, tank water, and tent sites. There are three huts along the way at Whakahoro, John Coull, and Ramanui. Across from Ramanui is Tieke marae that also offers accommodation. The times and distances are something like:


Whanganui River 'Great Walk'
DoC recommended time: one to five days
Psalm 69:1-2 ‘Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck! Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold to stand on. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me!’ (NLT)
Although there is no walking involved, this trip has been categorised a great walk. It actually involves sitting in a canoe or kayak and paddling or drifting down the Whanganui River! There are many rapids, but none of these is classed above beginners level so you are not likely to be as unfortunate as the Psalmist!