5-Day Guided Whanganui River Canoe Tour

Depart from Ohakune between 7:30 and 8:00 am for the river. At Ohinepane, we unload canoes and barrels and show you how to pack your canoe. The first day includes lunch at Poukaria Campsite. We paddle past the old riverboat landing at Kirikau and take a short walk at MaraeKowhai. You’ll see the Ohura Falls and the War and Peace Poles erected by the Hau Hau warriors. It’s then a short paddle to the first night's camp at Maharanui.

The gorge starts to narrow, and we leave the last road access point behind at Whakahoro, the second and final mooring point for the Houseboat. We pass Laceys and Wades landings and several old Maori settlements. Later in the morning, we pass Mangapapa campsite, Man of War Bluff, and Kirikiriroa, where the river makes a huge horseshoe turn. We continue past the Verandah, the Whirlpool, and down to Tamatea's Cave. We might stop for lunch at Ohauora campsite. There is plenty of time for stops and safe places to swim. We camp at Ohauora campsite.

After breakfast, we get on the river at 9 am. Enjoy a stunning morning paddle through the straightest part of the river and another vertical gorge before stopping at John Coull campsite for morning tea. We then pass the Tangarakau and Whangamomona rivers, Mangawaiiti campsite, and Otumangu landing—one of the post-WWI farming settlements. Shortly afterward, we see the first pine trees since Whakahoro, planted by early settlers. We camp at Mangapurua campsite for the evening. After breakfast, we walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (45 min each way). After the walk, there is time for a swim before we paddle the last 1.5 hours down to Bridge to Nowhere Lodge. If the weather and time allow, we also take a short walk at Tangahoe landing to the Tangahoe waterfall. Dinner and hot showers at Ramanui Campground, where you can upgrade to a cabin if you like (pre-bookings only).

After breakfast, we walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (45 min each way). After the walk, there is time for a swim before we paddle the last 1.5 hours down to Ramanui campsite. If the weather and time allow, we also take a short walk at Tangahoe landing to the Tangahoe waterfall. Dinner and hot showers at Ramanui Campground, where you can upgrade to a cabin if you like (pre-bookings only).

After breakfast, we start paddling again and pass Kahura landing, one of the filming locations for "River Queen." It is another hour’s paddle through the steep gorge until the river cascades through Ngaporo rapid and past the Mangaio stream and Mangaio rock, where several early eyebolts can still be seen, used as winching points for the riverboats. We continue to Pururoto Caves and then to the legendary Autapu rapid for lunch. From Autapu, there are several small rapids before the Paparoa rapids swing the canoes past the old eel traps and down to the landing at Pipiriki. It is a one-hour drive on our bus back to our base in Ohakune. This trip is fantastic for all ages, perfect for families, and the kids will always have something to do.