Whanganui Journey

The Whanganui Journey is a river journey along the Whanganui River in the North Island of New Zealand travelling by canoe or kayak. The route, starting at Taumarunui and finishing at Pipiriki, is 145 Km long and usually takes 5 days to complete. The route is managed by New Zealand's Department of Conservation under its Great Walks programme and much of the route travels through land which is part of the Whanganui National Park.

Although the Great Walk route ends at Pipiriki, the river is navigable for a further 89 Km and a small number of canoeists continue to exit at the main bridge in Wanganui, which takes a further two days. If planning to travel through to Wanganui, make sure you check the tide timetable so that you leave Hipango Park on an outgoing tide.

Route description

The route is broken into sections which are
stretches of river between camp sites/huts as follows:-
* Taumarunui to Ohinepane : 21.5km
* Ohinepane to Poukaria : 14km
* Poukaria to Maharanui : 17.5km
* Maharanui to Whakahoro : 5km
* Whakahoro to Mangapapa : 10km
* Mangapapa to Ohauora : 15km
* Ohauora to John Coull Hut : 12.5km
* John Coull Hut to Mangawaiiti : 9.5km
* Mangawaiiti to Mangapurua : 9km
* Mangapurua to Tieke Kāinga : 10.5km
* Tieke to Ngaporo : 12km
* Ngaporo to Pipiriki : 9.5km

During normal weather conditions the rapids on the river will not
exceed grade II.
As a result, there are several tour operators that offer a variety
of trip combinations covering all, or part of the route.

Accommodation

Accommodation on the route is a combination of huts and campsites which cannot be booked. All river users must purchased a Facilities User Pass (FUP) if travelling on the river between 1st October and 30th April. It is cheaper to purchase the FUP before you go on the river. They are available from the various operators, DOC in Wanganui, and from local Visitor Information Centres (VINs). There are different rates for different age groups, and for jetboaters. Full information can be found on the DOC website as listed in the external links below.

External links

* cite web
url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36084
title=Department of Conservation information on The Whanganui Journey
* [http://doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=38475 Department of Conservation information on Whanganui National Park]
* [http://www.origindesign.co.nz/originart/fraser_harding/index.html Te Whanau o Tieke] A photo exhibition by photographer Fraser Harding on the Whanganui River

References

*New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association Guide to the Whanganui River (16th Edition - November 2005)