Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, The Whanganui River journey is a perfect choice for your next getaway. If not the best – it is certainly one of the most unique canoe and camping experiences in the country.
Whanganui River Campsites have something for everyone. Whether you are an adventure seeking family, a nature loving solo traveller, a group of friends keen on something different, a retired couple wanting to learn more about the rich history and culture of this sacred place, the list goes on!
The Whanganui River Journey is one of New Zealand’s 11 ‘Great Walks’ and in particular, canoeing the Whanganui River offers you a chance to view this breathtaking national park from a totally different perspective. Load up your Canadian Canoe with your cooking & camping gear each day and paddle to the next site, Spend 3,4 Or 5 days navigating the river with its many bends, rapids and towering gorges, abundant & fascinating birdlife whilst hearing about and visiting sites of historical & cultural importance such as the Bridge to Nowhere opposite Mangapurua Campsite.
Canoe Camping is different to your regular New Zealand overnight tramps and hikes, you are able to take more cargo without having the weight sitting on your shoulders, no need to worry about lightweight packing and dehydrated food! Cover some lengthy distances each day without tiring your legs out.
Paddling the river is the easy part, Planning is the hard part! Our Whanganui River Guided tours take away that hassle and arrange all the logistics for you, the food, equipment, shuttles and campsite fees are all included. Our guide below covers everything you need to consider and some suggestions for our Whanganui River Canoe & Kayak hire only customers as they plan their independent trip.
Here is a full list, in the order that you would come across them, of Whanganui River Campsites and their capacity. All of these Whanganui River campsites are managed and maintained by DoC (The Department of Conservation). Each campsite is roughly a 10 kilometre or two hour paddle from each other, See our paddling guide below, and our larger Whanganui River Map for some context.
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Options for upgrades on the Whanganui River are limited, but they do exist. Option one is at Maharanui where ‘Posh Pioneers’ Heather & Fritz have created their own little slice of riverside paradise and would like to share it with you! Beautiful faux Hoop wagons with catering options.
The other option is opposite Tieke Kainga hut on the final night of all trips, Ramanui aka the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge, everything from campsite & cabins to lodge upgrades available and they also have a bar with a deck overlooking the river – Not a bad way to spend the final night of your trip.
Here are Canoe Safaris suggestions for where to camp on your Whanganui River adventure based on how many days you are spending out there, this is based on the 3 & 4 day trips departing on Whakahoro and the 5 Day Trip departing from Ohinepane OR Cherry Grove, with all trips finishing at Pipiriki –
If you are booking your Tour with Canoe Safaris, we arrange the booking of the campsites on your behalf with the cost covered as part of the tour. For freedom hire customers you have to arrange the booking as part of your own trip planning (with our help). You also need to carry your confirmation with you at all times should a Department of Conservation staff member ask to see it. For guided and freedom hire, it is recommended to get your tour, or DoC bookings in as soon as possible to ensure your preferred date is an available.
To book your Whanganui River Campsites, visit https://www.doc.govt.nz/ and follow the steps to book a ‘Great Walk’. Alternatively, you can visit a Department Of Conservation/New Zealand I-Site and book in-person.
The Department of Conservation Great Walk booking system opens each year between May – June for the coming season. Each Great walk is staggered so it pays to keep an eye on the release dates. Bookings are on a first come, first served basis and the peak periods (New Year, School holidays, Long weekends etc..) can sell out within minutes of being released.
(Hot tip! If your preferred date is sold out, check back! People change their plans and cancel their campsite bookings – You just may get lucky…)
All Department of conservation campsites on the Whanganui River have a cook shelter with tables and benches, water tanks and drop toilets available. The ground is generally grassy and tiered with different levels and areas to set up your tent. At the larger sites there will be washing lines and extra seating available.
John Coull and Tieke Huts have access to the same drop toilets as the campsite users. Inside the hut there is running water, lighting, wood fireplace, gas cookers, You will need to bring your own cooking equipment (pots, pans, utensils). Both huts have bench bunks with mattresses & you will need to have your own sleeping bag.
Water treatment is recommended at all campsites. Read our guide on how you can ensure safe drinking water on the Whanganui river.
Access from the canoes
Reaching your campsite after a day of paddling is always a welcome sight! When you arrive at the beach/landing, disembark your canoe, tie them up, and start to carry your barrels & gear up to camp. Aside from Whakahoro campsite, which is the furthest distance from the riverside being an uphill 600m walk, The other campsites are all approximately 100ml uphill to account for the rising river levels throughout the season, this means a short uphill walk, but with some of the open campsites such as Mangapapa, Ohauora, Tieke, Ngaporo, this can provide great panoramic river views.
Everything you take with you on the River, has to leave with you. These include equipment, personal belongings, and other camping essentials you’ve brought along the trip. The aim is to leave each campsite as you found it and minimise the impact of human activity whilst respecting nature and other campsite users.
The Tiaki Promise has been developed to keep up awareness amongst kiwi and international travellers, to act as a reminder of everyone’s responsibility to care for the land, whilst also creating a deeper connection to the land.
While travelling in New Zealand I will
Care for Land, Sea and Nature
Treading Lightly and leaving no trace,
Travel Safely, showing care and consideration for all.
Respect culture, travelling with an open mind for all.
Discover how you can help keep the Tiaki promise and experience the beauty of the Whanganui River Campsites for yourself - Contact Canoe Safaris to book your Canoe trip today!
Absolutely amazing experience with Canoe safaris! We did a 4-day canoe trip in the Whanganui river with Canoe safaris. Our guides, Phil and Ian are highly experienced, professional and helpful. Almost everything we need were provided, including tent, 3-meals everyday plus snacks, life jacket,...
Mandy Qiu
Had the most enjoyable trip in my life. Took the 4 day canoe safari down the Wanganui river. We thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't have asked for better guides, Erin and Jordan. Their knowledge and expertise was invaluable. The scenery was out of this world, at times we felt as though no one...
Sharon Gamble
This was the best family trip ever! Three course meals, a wealth of knowledge from our awesome guides, and no devices, were just three reasons we would highly recommend this adventure. Phil and Simon were amazing guides and worked from the moment we were collected for our trip to the moment we...
Richard Beechey
We had a magic 4 days on the Whanganui thanks to Kirsty Phil Keira and Jackson. The equipment, food, guiding and training were faultless. Phil's instruction was enough to make us confident on the river without overloading two novices and Keira's and Jackson's enthusiasm and...
Larry B, New Zealand
A couple of good mates decided we'd do this trip some time ago and Canoe Safari's helped make it happen. Alex, Bailey, Lesley and Canon our guides / hosts were absolutely amazing. Scenery was stunning - seems like little has changed on the landscape in hundreds of years... still...
Hawkdwn
SIMPLY SENSATIONAL. Just completed the 3 day trip. Our guides Wilson and Gregor were fantastic. Cool, clear, calm (even when I tipped the wife out of our canoe). Always felt safe, always felt informed. The food was sensational. From the time we were greeted to the time we departed, I was very...
Warren J, Christchurch, NZ
This was out and out one of the best experiences I've ever had. The trip exceeded my expectations in every department. The hospitality was second to none and the care taken for all of us was outstanding. Safety was never forgotten and was balanced with a load of fun and great humour...
Simon Christie
I would like to thank Mike, Stefan and Sophie for a great rafting experience on the Mohaka River. They were all such fun, very experienced and wonderful chefs too. Certainly a fantastic holiday and one to be recommended. So a big thank you for making it happen.
Sinda Hall
peaceful, primal, professional, Challenging, adrenalin - I experienced all of these on a three day trip down the Whanganui river with a group of 18 people and two amazing guides - Simon and Aiden. These guys worked tirelessly to ensure we were kept safe and well fed and were happy to share their...
Michele Laurie
We did the 5 day, fully guided and catered river journey, with our four children and three other families. This was truly one of the best holidays we have ever had. Phil and Ian, our guides, organised every detail. It was enormous fun canoeing down the river, jumping off rocks and canyoning. We...
Sarah Scott-Brown
