Whanganui Journey
Canoe the Whanganui River
Overview
A five-day canoe descent through gorge country on a river with the legal rights of a person.
Itinerary
Put In at Taumarunui
First gorge views and river rhythm
Gorge Country
Tall gorge walls and bird calls
Deep River
Bridge to Nowhere detour option
Tieke Marae
Pohutu Geyser area and marae visit
To Pipiriki
Jerusalem (Hiruharama) and Drop Scene finish
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1
5h
Put In at Taumarunui
TaumarunuiPoukaria Campsite
Distance
27 km
Elevation gain
0m
Est. time
5h
The river starts wide and gentle — float through the first gorge country.
First gorge views and river rhythm
- 2
Day 2
5h 30m
Gorge Country
Poukaria CampsiteWhakahoro
Distance
30 km
Elevation gain
0m
Est. time
5h 30m
The most dramatic gorge section with towering vegetation-covered walls.
Tall gorge walls and bird calls
- 3
Day 3
6h 30m
Deep River
WhakahoroJohn Coull Hut
Distance
37 km
Elevation gain
0m
Est. time
6h 30m
Longest paddle day through the heart of the Whanganui National Park.
Bridge to Nowhere detour option
- 4
Day 4
5h 30m
Tieke Marae
John Coull HutTieke Kainga
Distance
30 km
Elevation gain
0m
Est. time
5h 30m
Stop at Tieke Kainga, a marae where visitors are welcomed by the tangata whenua.
Pohutu Geyser area and marae visit
- 5
Day 5
4h
To Pipiriki
Tieke KaingaPipiriki
Distance
21 km
Elevation gain
0m
Est. time
4h
The final paddle to Pipiriki passes the 39-span Drop Scene formation.
Jerusalem (Hiruharama) and Drop Scene finish
Huts on this walk
- Night 1Campsite
Poukaria Campsite
Tent sitesPit toiletsWater tank - Night 2HutSleeps 30
Whakahoro Hut
BunksPit toiletsCamp kitchen - Night 3HutSleeps 24
John Coull Hut
BunksPit toiletsCamp kitchen - Night 4Campsite
Tieke Kainga
BunksMaraePit toilets
Walk it: step-through map
Plan this Great Walk
Trips are private by default. Share when you're ready.
Walk data from DOC — used with permission.