The Whanganui River is the heart of this Park. As a designated person, with the rights of a citizen the Whanganui River symbolises the soul of the traditional owners. The River flows from the mountains to the Tasman sea with lowland forest wrapped around the river edges — where the river embraces the National Park.
Getting there
“The park is located in the central North Island with the township of Taumarunui to the north and Wanganui to the south. The small towns of Pipiriki, Ohinepane, and Whakahoro are main gateways to the river itself.
Roads lead into the park from all directions. Some give access to main track systems, others directly to the river. There are regular bus services to Taumarunui and Wanganui. A number of companies run on demand shuttles to the start of tracks and organise car shuttles for people canoeing the river.” Whanganui National Park website.
Best time to visit
Spring to Autumn
Weather
- Kayaking the River and listening to narratives that interpret the River through the lens of Maori context. Let the river do the walking is a magical way to explore a heritage lowland forest. The 145 km river trip runs from Taumarunui to the village of Pipiriki, takes about five days to complete by canoe or kayak. A three-day journey from Whakahoro to Pipiriki is an option. The river is suitable for beginner paddlers – although there are more than 200 rapids between Tamaranui and Pipiriki, most of them drop less than a metre. Safety equipment is supplied by kakak organisers. It is recommended an authorised canoe hire company is engaged.
Whanganui National Park
Bridge to Nowhere
- Walking in the footsteps of many who have gone before and meeting the people who call the River home. Check our walking section for more information.
- The evocative emotion of the Bridge to Nowhere and its significance as a memorial to World War I settlers who tried and failed, due to soil fertility to farm the upper lands of the Whanganui River. The bridge (1935) was to support the nascent settlements’ transport links. A road was planned from Raetihi to Stratford. By the mid 1930’s the land was effectively abandoned with the bridge opening a massive memorial memorial to failed development. The bridge is a 45-minute walk from the Whanganui River from the Mangapūrua Landing on the Whanganui River, up the Mangapūrua Stream. The Bridge to Nowhere’ is the largest and most intact structure relating to the former Mangapūrua Valley Soldiers Settlement (World War I) and has an Historic Places Trust Category I listing.
- Native flora and fauna. Bird species such as kererū native pigeon, fantail, tūī, native robin, grey warbler and tomtit are often seen and heard along the riverbank. The call of the brown kiwi can often be heard at night. The river is rich in eels, lamprey, species of galaxiid (a group of native fish species including whitebait and kōkopu), kōura freshwater crayfish and black flounder. Consult the DOC brochure for lowland forest descriptions of vegetation.
- A River journey highlight is a night at Tieke Kainga, the only DOC hut that is also used as a marae. It is an informative way to be immersed in the local culture and learn about the history of the area.
- Jet boats are another popular way to see the sights of the river.
- On foot, the four-day Matemateaonga Track follows an old Māori track and is one of the most popular walks in the park. The Mangapūrua Track takes three to four days, starting at Whakahoro and ending at the Bridge to Nowhere
- Both brown and rainbow trout can be caught in the river, and hunting of pigs, goats and fallow deer is encouraged. Hunting permits are required.
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WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN WHANGANUI NATIONAL PARK
WALKING AND TRAMPING
Atene Skyline Track
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Bridge to Nowhere Walk
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Matemateāonga Track
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Atene Viewpoint Walk
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Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track
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Te Maire Loop Track
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Mangapurua hunting
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Whanganui National Park West hunting
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Whanganui National Park South hunting
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John Coull Campsite
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Mangapapa Campsite
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Mangawaiiti Campsite
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Ohauora Campsite
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Poukaria Campsite
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Whakahoro Campsite
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Maharanui Campsite
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Mangapurua Campsite
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Ngaporo Campsite
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Ohinepane Campsite
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Tieke Kainga Campsite
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Downes Hut
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Ngapurua Hut
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Pouri Hut
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Tīeke Kāinga
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John Coull Hut
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Omaru Hut
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Puketotara Hut
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Whakahoro Bunkroom
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Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track
The tracks can be walked or biked from either direction and when combined with a jet boat ride on the Whanganui River create a unique tramping or biking and boating circuit.
The track follows old road lines with good gradient. Approximate walking times for the track are:
- Whakahoro to Mangapurua Landing: 13 hours (6 hours to Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka junction)
- Ruatītī Road end to Mangapurua Landing: 11 hours 4 hours to Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka junction)
These allow for leisurely walking. Biking times are approximately half the stated walking time, times are roughly the same if done in reverse.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Canoe safaris, Whanganui river
- Fishing: Brown and rainbow trout are found in the Whanganui River and its tributaries.
- Heritage sightseeing: Historic bridge, grassy flats and old chimneys stacks. These, along with small stand of exotic trees which mark the sites of settlers homes are revealed to visitors in the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka valleys. Find out more about the Bridge to Nowhere and Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track.
- Kayaking and canoeing: The Whanganui is New Zealand’s longest navigable river, canoeable for over 200 kilometres. There are huts and campsites along the river. Tieke Hut is run as a Marae (meeting house) by local Māori and traditional customs are observed.
COMMERCIAL OPERATORS
GUIDED ACTIVITIES AND TOURS
Guided canoeing/kayaking and rafting on the Whanganui River, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua Valley Scenic Reserve, the Rangitikei River and on the Mohaka River, Kaweka Forest Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Rafting
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Biking and cycling tours, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Adrift Guided Outdoors Adventures
Guided one to multi-day recreational activities (walking, kayaking, canoeing, biking/cycling) in Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, and central North Island rail trails.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Unique Whanganui River Experience
Guided canoe trips on the Whanganui River.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided cycle trail and mountain bike trips in the North Island, as well as guided walking to tracks.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided tours on the Whanganui River as well as a range of canoe and kayak hire options.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Guided activities and tours
Accommodation, and guided walking, mountain biking and hunting in Whanganui National Park.
Activities: Hunting; Mountain biking
Services: Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Guided canoeing and kayaking on the Whanganui River.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Guided mountain bike tours at various North and South Island locations more specifically Turangi, Tongariro, Whanganui, North Canterbury, Mahaanui, Twizel, Central Otago, Wakatipu.
Activities: Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Whanganui Scenic Experience Jet
Guided jet boating and canoeing on the Whanganui River and to the Bridge to Nowhere.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Guided jet boating, canoeing and transport for the Whanganui River and Bridge to Nowhere.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
TRANSPORT
Tarata Helicopters
Helicopter landings in the Whanganui National Park and Hutiwai Conservation Area.
Services: Transport
Transport services for Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks from a base in Raetihi.
Services: Transport
Guided canoeing/kayaking and rafting on the Whanganui River, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua Valley Scenic Reserve, the Rangitikei River and on the Mohaka River, Kaweka Forest Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Rafting
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Guided jet boating, canoeing and transport for the Whanganui River and Bridge to Nowhere.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Commercial helicopter landings for tourists or hunters in Taranaki, Whanganui, Whareorino Forest Cons Area, Pureora Forest Park and Pirongia Forest Park.
Activities: Hunting
Services: Transport
Hill Country Helicopters
Helicopter transport, charters and tours in Kaimanawa, Kaweka and Ruahine Forest Park and Whanganui National Park.
hillcountry.helicopters@xtra.co.nz
Services: Transport
Adrift Guided Outdoors Adventures
Guided one to multi-day recreational activities (walking, kayaking, canoeing, biking/cycling) in Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, and central North Island rail trails.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Biking and cycling tours, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Guided canoeing/kayaking and rafting on the Whanganui River, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua Valley Scenic Reserve, the Rangitikei River and on the Mohaka River, Kaweka Forest Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Rafting
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Whanganui Scenic Experience Jet
Guided jet boating and canoeing on the Whanganui River and to the Bridge to Nowhere.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Guided jet boating, canoeing and transport for the Whanganui River and Bridge to Nowhere.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Guided canoeing and kayaking on the Whanganui River.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
Services: Equipment rental; Guided activities and tours
Biking and cycling tours, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
ACCOMODATION
Guided canoeing/kayaking and rafting on the Whanganui River, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua Valley Scenic Reserve, the Rangitikei River and on the Mohaka River, Kaweka Forest Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Rafting
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Accommodation, and guided walking, mountain biking and hunting in Whanganui National Park.
Activities: Hunting; Mountain biking
Services: Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
Biking and cycling tours, Whanganui National Park and Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Equipment rental; Accommodation; Guided activities and tours
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TRAVEL PACK INFORMATION
- Recommended is the Wilderness magazine Whanganui Journey Map (Folded) Whanganui National Park for tramps and multi-day walking trips. Mobile downloadable information relies on electricity. Water-proof tramping maps are an excellent way to ensure you have the relevant information at all times.
- Know before you goIf you are planning a trip down the river, make sure you are properly equipped.Every one needs to take: a life-jacket, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing, warm woollen or pile clothing, changes of clothing and shoes, sufficient food and drink for the journey (plus an extra day’s supply), sun-cream, sunglasses, sunhat and a warm hat. Equipment you will need as a group includes: cooking equipment , fuel, a lighter, first aid kit, plastic drums (or equivalent) for food and dry clothes, tents (spaces in huts may already be taken), a spare paddle, rope and string and spare plastic bags.”
Information from Whanganui National Park official website
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