Whanganui Adventure in New Zealand

From rapids and canoeing to experiencing untamed nature firsthand those are simply one of the belongings you’ll enjoy in your Whanganui Adventure In New Zealand.

New Zealand has turn out to be a mecca for out of doors adventurers.

We’ve by no means been any place on the earth the place it’s really easy to get out into the desolate tract independently.

Wish to canoe down a stupendous and far off stretch of river for 5 days and not using a information? Certain.

No enjoy in canoeing?

No worries – the individual you hire the canoe from gives you a couple of guidelines earlier than you place off.

Feels like your more or less journey?

Right here’s the whole thing you wish to have to find out about paddling the Whanganui Adventure, some of the 9 Nice Walks of New Zealand.

Don’t fail to see our whole information to the highest mountaineering in New Zealand!

Advent To Paddling the Whanganui Adventure

Set within the middle of the North Island, the Whanganui Adventure is a 145 km canoe go back and forth down the Whanganui River.

It won Nice Stroll standing for being a vital Maori adventure and it’s the one Nice Stroll the place you’ll keep in a Marae (a conventional assembly flooring and point of interest for Maori communities).

While the overall 145 km adventure takes 5 days, if this sounds love it’s slightly a lot you’ll paddle essentially the most gorgeous phase in simply 3 days (a complete of 87 km).

There are a selection of campsites and huts (or even one hotel) that you’ll keep at alongside the Whanganui River Adventure. You’ll additionally get to benefit from the surroundings of Whanganui Nationwide Park.

In the event you like solitude you’ll make a choice campsites that range from the primary path that the general public take, which we’ll define underneath.

There are a couple of corporations who can organise the whole thing together with canoe rent, dry barrels for your entire garments and meals, transfers to and from the ‘monitor’, and a complete briefing at the path and stipulations at the river.

While the Whanganui River has a few infamous rapids (one nicknamed the 50/50 for evident causes) at the path it’s conceivable even for newbies to regulate the overall 5 days.

Till the Whanganui Adventure, the longest we had ever kayaked for used to be two hours, so we indubitably imagine it’s conceivable for somebody with a way of journey to regulate.

Nearly all of the Whanganui Adventure is on flat, placid water or small rapids and also you spend about 5 hours paddling consistent with day.

You quickly get into a gradual rhythm and the time is going temporarily as you’re taking within the perspectives and experience a in point of fact distinctive enjoy.

Whanganui Adventure Evaluate

Days required: 3 – 5

You get started from Taumarunui to do the 5 day model, or Whakahoro for the 3 day model of the Whanganui Adventure.

Highest Time To Do The Whanganui River Adventure

The New Zealand summer time is the most productive time for hotter temperatures and extra solid climate (some corporations forestall working within the wintry weather, in the event you fall in it’s going to be freeeezing).

We’d suggest fending off faculty and public vacations as they may be able to get busy.

The legit Nice Walks season runs from 1^st October to 30^th April.

Prices

Prices for the Whanganui Adventure can range relying on which corporate you utilize. However – like maximum of New Zealand – it isn’t affordable.

Canoe rent begins at $180 NZD consistent with particular person for the 3 day model and $190 NZD consistent with particular person for the 5 day model (this comprises barrels, transfers, existence jackets, paddles, emergency beacon, maps and a briefing).

Lodging

The general public keep within the DOC administered campsites and huts, even supposing there are two hotel choices to your 2nd and fourth evening if you select.

The campsites and huts are somewhat fundamental, with the campsites providing working water (which must be purified) and lengthy drop bogs.

The huts be offering those in addition to gasoline stoves and bunks.

The fee is between $20 – 32 NZD consistent with particular person consistent with evening (with tenting being the inexpensive of the 2) between October and April.

If you wish to deal with your self at the closing evening of the Whanganui Adventure there may be a ravishing hotel with scorching showers and unfastened do-it-yourself desserts.

We had been so glad that we made up our minds to head for slightly lux after 4 cast days paddling, two of which have been in torrential rain.

Much less other people know that you’ll additionally keep within the Blue Duck Station on evening two if you want a personal room.

You’ll want to have a top of the range, light-weight backpacking tent with you for tenting throughout the Whanganui Adventure.

Meals

There are a few cafes alongside the best way (day one and two), however excluding that you’re going to want to deliver your whole meals.

This may also be packed in barrels which can be tied to the canoe, you’ll want meals that can stay outdoor of a refrigerator for as much as 5 days.

We’d suggest cereal bars or porridge for breakfast, snacks for lunch and packet meals like pasta for dinner (we loved pesto pasta with cheese for dinner maximum nights).

Canoe Corporations

 There are 3 corporations that may lend a hand with the logistics of the Whanganui Adventure and there’s now not a lot distinction between them.

We selected Whanaganui River Canoes based totally in Raetihi, however however, there’s Tauamrauni Canoe Rent in Taumraruni or Yeti Canoes in Ohakune.

Which corporate you select might rely on which space you need to stick in earlier than and after your journey which used to be our explanation why for opting for Whanganui Rivers Canoes.

Rapids

The primary two days of the Whanganui River Adventure have a succession of lovely quick rapids, however there is just one the place you could get thrown out.

We got here shut however controlled to with reference to keep in, so falling out remains to be moderately not going.

The 3rd and fourth days are as flat as they arrive, minus one whirlpool in the beginning of day 3.

We did see somebody tip right here however it appears this isn’t commonplace.

The general day has thrilling rapids. There are two on the very finish of the Whanganui River Adventure that are so bumpy that fifty% of other people pop out in their canoe.

Alternatively, lots of the sooner rapids are slender, which means you’ll paddle to the facet and keep away from the worst of them if you wish to (however you then’ll be lacking out on one of the amusing!).

What To Pack For Your Whanganui River Adventure

• Rain Coats
• Thermals
• Meals: Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and tea/espresso
• Bathroom Paper (not one of the huts or campsites have this)
• Gasoline burner and fits for the campsites
• Ingesting water – a minimum of for the beginning. Later on you’ll want to boil some water or use purification drugs
• A tenting kitchen set – pot to boil, plate, cutlery, and mug
• A heat sound asleep bag (even in summer time it could actually drop to unmarried digits)
• Battery pack to rate digicam batteries
• Ear plugs/headphones – You haven’t skilled noisily snoring till you’ve stayed in a DOC hut
• Solar cream and bug repellent
• Torch
• Garbage luggage – All that you’re taking in, should pass out with you
• Rainy wipes – To stay a semblance of hygiene

 The Whanganui Adventure Itinerary

 Day 1: Taumaranui to Ohinepane, 22km (about 3.5 hours)

No longer too many of us make a choice to do the five-day model, skipping the primary two days and beginning at Whakahoro.

This implies you’re prone to have those stretches of the river all to your self, and that makes it lovely particular.

The primary day of the Whanganui River Adventure is brief, nevertheless it without a doubt means that you can get started with a bang.

The Nice Walks information describes it merely as “an afternoon of rapids”!

We had been freshmen when it got here to canoeing, so had been lovely fearful about even controlling the canoe, let by myself navigating the rapids.

Within the first 4 bends, you face two lovely turbulent rapids that throw you round, baptizing you within the Whanganui River.

After the preliminary bumps, issues get slightly more straightforward and easier.

There are many quick rapids on corners to stay the thrill up and also you’ll do neatly in the event you don’t get caught within the eddys (the opposite facet of a speedy which flows in the other way to the river, spinning you round).

It’s honest to mention we spent an excellent period of time on days one and two spinning uncontrollably however all the time being spat out after all!

The Whanganui River here’s essentially throughout the farmlands and rolling hills, it feels such as you’re gliding thru Hobbiton.

It’s a amusing stretch of paddling with some gorgeous landscapes which can be punctuated with some rapids for pleasure.

A best tip is to appear out for the lavender farm (there’s a small signal) at the right-hand facet of the river, round 18 km in.

There’s a small sandbank to moor at and a stairway main as much as the farm.

They’ve a espresso store right here which makes for a pleased smash.

They don’t settle for overseas playing cards, so remember to deliver money.

The do-it-yourself desserts had been scrumptious.

After 3.5 hours of paddling you’ll make it to Ohinepane Campsite.

The native chickens are slightly over-friendly and might be pecking round your tent lots of the evening earlier than waking you up very first thing within the morning! It’s a ravishing spot although, with a small cooking space and bathroom.

Day 2: Ohinepane – Whakahoro, 35km (about 5.5 hours)

The second one day will have modified lately, but if we paddled (in April 2018) there have been an enormous typhoon that created many slips within the space.

This intended that timber had come down from the tops of the valley into the Whanganui River, developing extra hindrances.

This may occasionally have modified since, however be ready for this phase to have extra hindrances than the maps will display!

As you place off, you’re confronted with a biggish speedy to ease you into the day!

The remainder of the day can have moderately a couple of rapids to hurry you alongside and stay issues fascinating.

You move via much more gorgeous surroundings and you’re feeling like you might be starting to head clear of civilization.

The second one part of the day is the phase that ends up in Whakahoro and calls for essentially the most consideration as a number of timber have fallen into the river and lodged there.

This in flip created rapids that flowed thru them and – in the event you’re now not cautious – may just take you immediately right into a tree.

You’ll want to be ready to paddle very onerous once you spot them.

The day finishes at Whakahoro: a campsite and bunkhouse this is 400m up a steep hill!

Lugging the barrels up had with reference to everybody cursing the site, however as soon as there this can be a in point of fact beautiful spot.

Alternatively, the largest praise is the Blue Duck Station, a guesthouse the place you’ll pay for a scorching bathe ($4NZD) and dig into piping scorching meals (together with bacon and egg brekkies) and scorching beverages.

Pop alongside once you’ll because the dinner (served communal taste) does require reserving.

It’s only some mins from the campsite to the Blue Duck.

The Whakahoro is the most productive campsite at the Whanganui Adventure, set at the best of a cliff amongst farmland taking a look all the way down to the Whanganui River. It’s a in reality picturesque vantage level.

Day 3: Whakahoro – John Coull Hut, 37.5km (about 5.5 hours)

 Day 3 is the place the surroundings steps up a equipment as you input the Whanganui Gorge and the beginning of the Whanganui Nationwide Park.

That is when all highway get right of entry to stops and also you in point of fact input the desolate tract.

Right away you’ll be dwarfed via large cliffs on all sides of you, the one sounds are that of your paddle and the early morning hen music.

Whakahoro is the place the general public get started the Whanganui Adventure, opting for to keep away from the rapids of the primary two days.

Alternatively, the ones rapids had been excellent coaching for what’s going to be approaching day 5!

The phase from Whakahoro to John Coull isn’t just very picturesque, it is usually a shockingly calm phase of the river.

At issues we selected to forestall paddling completely, drifting in whole silence and taking in the environment within the nationwide park.

In the event you’ve had rain there might be quite a lot of waterfalls in this stretch.

The one impediment to navigate is a whirlpool that objectives to propel you right into a cave!

As long as you paddle onerous and broad, you’ll be good enough.

We attempted this and cleared it safely (neatly, aside from being spun backward).

Because the river may be very nonetheless, day 3 calls for much more paddling and energy than the primary two.

It’s only when you’ve got a fully nonetheless river that you just realise how a lot the fast-flowing rapids if truth be told helped!

That is the primary level that you’ll make a choice to stick in a hut reasonably than tenting.

Need some other paddling journey? Take a look at our submit on kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park!

Day 4: John Coull Hut – Bridge to Nowhere Hotel, 29km (about 5 hours)

 Day 4 used to be our favourite day of the entire Whanganui Adventure.

There’s an opportunity to forestall on the mysterious Bridge to Nowhere, the surroundings is surprising and if you made a decision to regard your self, there’s the Bridge to Nowhere Hotel (extra on that later).

The day began with two hours of heavy rain (same old in NZ) paddling throughout the thick soupy water to the touchdown for the Bridge to Nowhere stroll.

We’d suggest going early as it is a in style day go back and forth within the space (you’ll take a jet boat to it from a the city additional up the river), so that you’ll wish to keep away from the crowds and be capable of in finding mooring to your canoe.

After a brief stroll, you’ll get to the Bridge to Nowhere –moderately actually what it says at the tin. It’s a remnant of a undertaking to deliver get right of entry to for cars to the Whanganui River and help the development of a agreement for returned infantrymen from the First Global Struggle.

Alternatively, the land used to be now not conducive for farming and agreement, and it used to be deserted.

The bridge remained, it’s now lined in ferns and regenerated bushland.

It’s a in reality impressive sight and to not be neglected.

You’ll be able to stroll throughout it or take it in from the perspective above.

We in reality loved getting out of the canoe and exploring this space.

Simply remember to deliver some footwear that do neatly in dust. Turn-flops can be tough alongside this trail after rain.

After the Bridge to Nowhere it’s a gradual three-hour paddle on your lodging for the day.

In the event you pass with the DOC alternatives, you’ll camp or keep at a conventional Marae.

Right here you’ll enjoy a glimpse of the indigenous tradition of New Zealand.

Whether or not you get a conventional Maori greeting will depend on their plans for the day, it didn’t occur on our go back and forth, however we’ve heard it steadily does.

At the reverse facet of the river is the Bridge to Nowhere Hotel.

Tucked at the best of a hill, this position has a stellar view.

However even higher, it has scorching showers, non-public comfy bedrooms and – highest of all – a bar!

After 4 days paddling, we idea a tumbler of wine used to be neatly deserved.

You’ll be able to additionally get a do-it-yourself dinner (we cooked for ourselves because the dinner used to be expensive) and breakfast.

It used to be natural bliss.

There’s a front room with board video games and books to learn so it might be moderately a social position relying on who’s there on the time.

Day 5: Bridge to Nowhere Hotel – Papriki, 21.5km (about 4 hours)

The general day of the Whanganui River Adventure is a brief stretch of river earlier than hitting the 2 roughest rapids of the entire adventure, and those that throw out 50% of people that strive them.

The day begins out on calm river once more, earlier than attaining Ngāporo the place the primary large speedy is.

The rapids are simply earlier than the campsite and you’ll make a choice to plow immediately throughout the heart for without equal journey or around the outdoor for the least likelihood of capsize.

It’s now not lengthy earlier than you hit the second one speedy.

We watched two in reality willing canoers pass head on into the speedy, and had been quickly tipped out into the river!

Having misplaced to the speedy they swam to catch their canoe and spent the following 5 mins bailing water out, they had been within the unfortunate 50%!

Another time, you’ll make a choice to head thru it, or paddle broad and throughout the more secure phase.

There’s a last speedy this is simply earlier than the touchdown at Pipriki and is some other amusing one to navigate.

In the event you do it appropriate, you’ll get propelled to the end, slightly having to paddle!

By the point you arrived at Pipriki you’ll have paddled 145 km of the Whanganui River throughout the gorgeous New Zealand geographical region.

The Whanganui River Adventure is an epic journey, and one we cherished the reality you’ll be able to pass it by myself and not using a information.

Don’t leave out this canoe adventure and essentially the most extraordinary Nice Stroll of New Zealand.

In the event you haven’t quenched your thirst for Nice Walks, you’ll strive the Tongariro Northern Circuit which is simplest half-hour away. This can be a stroll thru volcanic panorama and comprises the Tongariro Crossing – which has been described as some of the highest day walks on the earth.