5-Day Guided Whanganui River Trip

This is our most popular Whanganui River trip. If you only plan on experiencing this journey once and If you want a real holiday away from the TV and phone then this is it! If you have children then this is also an ideal option.

We organize everything for you. All of the gourmet cooked breakfasts & 3 course dinners with NZ wine, spacious tents, comfortable 3 inch thick sleeping mats and cooking gear-you just bring a sleeping bag and personal gear.

Get Fully immersed in the Whanganui wilderness on this 5 Day Safari. Explore canyons, waterfalls, historically important sights, and avoid the busier campsites!
Cruise down this beautiful 120km stretch of the Whanganui Journey in a Canadian Open Canoe, with 5 days for your experienced guides to teach you tips and techniques to  help you navigate the river like a true pro.

 There are 2 different starting points for the 5 day Tour depending on river levels-Ohinepane or Whakahoro.

We often meet clients at our base in Ohakune the night before the trip to check river gear and run through the details for the next day.
Most of our guests stay at our lodge accommodation in Ohakune the night before the trip and the night after the trip. This makes for an easy start and allows guests plenty of time to pack/stuff all their gear into their river barrels & drybags. We have 6 Motel units at our base and plenty of safe off street parking, so once you arrive it's very quick and easy to get packed.

 Trip Dates and Group Discounts: With a family of 2 adults and 3 children (14 and under) the third child pays 50% of the child rate. Group concessions are available.

*Trip start dates are a guideline only - with groups we can start a trip to suit you. Extra dates available over peak periods.

Day 01

Depart Ohakune between 7.30 and 8.00am 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. View the Ohura falls, and the War and Peace Poles that were erected by the Hau Hau warriors. It's then a short paddle to the first nights camp at Maharanui.

Day 02

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 Kaianga. Later in the morning we pass Mangapapa campsite, Man of War Bluff, Kirikiriroa where the river does a huge horseshoe turn, the Verandah, the Whirlpool and on down to Tamatea's Cave and a possible lunch stop at Ohauora campsite. There is plenty of time for stops and there are safe places to get out and swim. Camp at Ohauora campsite.

Day 03

Breakfast and on the river at 9am. A stunning morning paddle through the straightest part of the river and through another vertical gorge before stopping at John Coull campsite for morning tea. Afterwards, we go past the Tangarakau and Whangamomona rivers, Mangawaiiti campsite, and Otumangu landing - one of the post WW1 faming settlements. Shortly afterwards we see the first pine trees since Whakahoro (planted by the early settlers), and lastly we stop at the 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 1.5hrs down to Bridge to Nowhere Lodge. If the weather and time allows 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 sleeping in a cabin if you like (pre bookings only)

Day 04

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 1.5hrs down to Ramanui campsite. If the weather and time allows 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 sleeping in a cabin if you like (pre bookings only).

Day 05

After breakfast, we start paddling again and pass Kahura landing and one of the locations for the filming of "River Queen". It is another hours paddle through the steep gorge until the river cascades through Ngaporo rapid and past the Mangaio stream and Mangaio rock where several of the early eyebolts can still be seen that were winching points for the riverboats. On down to Pururoto Caves and past 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. It's a fantastic trip for all ages perfect for families and the kids will always have something to do.