Three-Day Guided Whanganui River Canoe Trip incl. All Meals & Accommodation

Includes:

• All food included. Refuel and energise with our famous hearty breakfasts, fresh lunches and gourmet 3-course dinners.
• Transport & accommodation. Stay at Ohakune Lodge for a seamless start and finish, with shuttles to and from the river included.
• All gear provided. High-quality and updated fleet of Canadian Canoes. Spacious tents & thick mattresses.
• Experienced, qualified and safe guides
• All campsite and national park fees

Itinerary:

Day 1: Ohakune to John Coull

• Paddle distance: 38km/ 6-8hours from launch to camp
• Depart Ohakune early (6.45-7am) and shuttle to Whakahoro. Learn to pack and steer your canoe before setting off down the narrowing gorge, leaving the last road access behind. Paddle past Laceys and Wades landings, old Māori Kaianga, Mangapapa Campsite, Man of War Bluff, and Kirikiriroa’s dramatic horseshoe bend. Paddle past Tamatea's cave and Stop for lunch at Ohauora Campsite, swim, and explore safely along the way. Camp for the night at John Coull Hut and Campsite.

Day 2: John Coull To Ramanui

• Paddle distance: 28km/ 5-7 hours from camp to camp
• After breakfast, paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamomona Rivers, Mangawaiiti Campsite, and Otumangu Landing, a post-WWI farming settlement. See the first pine trees since Whakahoro (planted by early settlers), then stop at Mangapurua for lunch. Take an optional 45-minute walk to the famous Bridge to Nowhere. Dinner and hot showers await at Ramanui Campground (Book early for cabin upgrade)

Day 3: Ramanui to Pipiriki

• Paddle distance: 22km/ 4-6- hours camp to finish
• Paddle past Kahura Landing, one of the filming locations for River Queen, then navigate the steep gorge to Ngaporo Rapid and Ngaporo Campsite for a break. Continue past Mangaio Stream and Mangaio Rock, where early eyebolts mark former riverboat winching points. Explore Pururoto Caves, tackle Autapu Rapid, and finish through the Paparoa Rapids past old eel traps to reach Pipiriki Landing.

About Canoe Safaris:

Founded in 1979, Canoe Safaris offers fun-filled river holidays for folks with little or no paddling experience. After more than three decades in operation and thousands of happy customers, they are confident that their guided canoe trips have the right balance of fun, relaxation and exploration. Their guides are well versed in local flora and fauna as well as the rich history of the Whanganui river. They have a well-deserved reputation as simply the best in outdoor dining, so leave your preconceived notions of camping food at the door and enjoy one of their superb three-course meals. They also take great pride in providing the highest quality river and camping equipment, designed for durability and comfort. Canoe Safaris has a river holiday for all ages, from families with young children to those over 70 years young.