Canoeing
Blazing Paddles Outdoors offers your choice of Freedom Hire Canoe or full service Guided Canoe Tours. Our trips range from one day canoeing or kayaking adventures to the eight day, 225km Whole Whanganui expedition.
Experience the Whanganui River the way it's been travelled for hundreds of years. Glide along the surface of calm, deep gorges and run exhilarating rapids in your own canoe. This unforgettable journey gives you the chance to meet, and fall in love with our beautiful Te Awa Tupua, the first river in the world to be legally granted personhood, in 2017.
The Whanganui is a grade one and two river and is suitable for most ages and those with no prior canoe experience. We will teach you how to keep yourself safe on the river and provide your group with quality equipment for all eventualities.
Guided Tour - the best way to experience the awa
Full service tour
Qualified guide
Fully catered
Camping gear provided
Camp/Hut fees included
Transport to and from river
Canoe and all safety gear provided
Guide carries extra safety & communications gear
Safety briefing before departure
Secure flood lit vehicle storage
Hot shower, hot drinks, wifi at base on return
Vehicle relocation (extra cost)
Canoe only - no kayaks
Guided Tour prices are based on 8 people, smaller groups will incur extra costs
Guided Tours Departures
Click the download link below to see the full calendar of our multi day guided tours.
If you have any questions please get in contact and we will be sure to help.
As almost the entire length of the river is out of mobile coverage, all groups travel with a Personal Locator Beacon in case of emergency. We’ve built a reputation for providing the best gear and transport, arriving early and getting you on the way home much quicker than other operators.
Our normal canoeing season is from 1st October to 1st May. Summer being the perfect time to join us.
The Whanganui River Journey is the only one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ where you’re not on your feet but paddling a canoe (or kayak) down river.
Our dedicated team at Blazing Paddles Outdoors have many years of expertise in helping customers from around the world experience this remote wilderness.
Our service includes: Complimentary door-to-river transfer shuttle service, Secure flood lit vehicle storage, Hot showers on return to base, Canoe/Kayak, Paddles, Life Jackets, Storage Drums, Dry Bags, Bailer, Rope, River Maps, Safety Video and Briefing, Emergency Kit and Personal Locator Beacon.
We recommend spending the night before your river trip in Taumarunui, to ensure an early refreshed start for the canoe trips. You'll need to be at our base by 7.30AM on the day of departure.
Stargazer
▶ Guided Tour: $800pp (min 8 people) ▶ Guided non-catered: $500pp ▶ Freedom Hire: $275pp (min 4 people)
Taumarunui to Whakahoro • 2 days, 1 night • 57km
Paddle your way out of town, through farmland and into the wild! 100 rapids along the way will leave you ready for a good sleep at your choice of campsite. You'll marvel at how many stars you can see so far from electric lighting. This two-day paddle will take you from Cherry Grove, Taumarunui along 57 kms of the Whanganui River, past the stunning Ohura Falls to bush clad Whakahoro and the iconic Blue Duck Station.
Attractions: Lavender Farm, Ohura Falls, Blue Duck Cafe
Camp Recommendations: Nukunuku-Ercegs for Guided
Guided Trip departs Saturday - pickup Sunday
Posh Paddle
▶ Guided Tour: $1000pp (min 8 people) ▶ Guided non-catered: $750pp ▶ Freedom Hire: $275pp (min 4 people)
Ohinepane to Whakahoro • 2 days, 1 night • 35km • (min 8 people)
Includes comfortable glamping accommodation and home style cooking at Posh Pioneers.
A leisurely paddle from Ohinepane or Nukunuku downstream to the idyllic Posh Pioneers. Friendly hosts Fritz and Heather will transport you by ATV to their off-grid boutique accommodation site, accessible only by river and surrounded by untouched bush and wildlife, including kiwi, native bats and glow worms. You’ll stay in a wonderfully comfortable shepherds’ hut and enjoy the luxury of hot showers, three course meal, great coffee and breakfast before continuing down the awa. The Whanganui River was the highway of the European pioneers and Maori before the remote King Country was connected to the rest of the country by rail and road. Along the beautiful river, with its isolated bush and farms either side and far from the busy modern world, you’ll feel like nothing has changed. Your river journey concludes at Whakahoro, site of the iconic Blue Duck Station, from which you can be driven back to Blazing Paddles Outdoors base, or choose to have your car relocated and continue your travels south without delay.
Attractions: Lavender Farm, Ohura Falls, Blue Duck Cafe/station, Posh Pioneers
Camp: Posh Pioneers (Included)
Guided Trip departs Sunday - pickup Monday
Waka Whakahoro
▶ Guided Tour: $1250pp (min 8 people) ▶ Guided non-catered: $900pp ▶ Freedom Hire: $275pp (min 4 people)
Whakahoro to Pipiriki • 3 days, 2 nights • 108km
After winding your way through the Kaitieke valley via road and crossing some picturesque bluffs hand blown with dynamite you will start canoeing at Whakahoro, you’ll skip the town and countryside and plunge straight into pure wilderness! Journeying 88 kms through the beautiful Whanganui National Park, you’ll shoot the rapids and linger along mirror pools in deep green gorges. Enjoy a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere and learn how this arched concrete bridge ended up so far from any roads. Stay two nights at isolated campsites along the way, imersing yourself in fantastic native bush. You’ll take your leave of the awa at the historic Maori settlement of Pipiriki.
Attractions: Blue Duck Cafe, Bridge To Nowhere, Pipiriki
Hut/Camp Recommendations: 1st night John Coull hut, 2nd night Tieke
Guided Trip departs Mondays - pickup Thursday
Oarsome Ohinepane
▶ Guided Tour: $1350pp (min 8 people) ▶ Guided non-catered: $1000pp ▶ Freedom Hire: $275pp (min 4 people)
Ohinepane/Nukunuku to Pipiriki • 4 days, 3 nights • 123/118km
Our most popular trip! This four-day paddle takes you from Ohinepane (or Nukunuku for Guided Tours) through the heart of the Whanganui National Park. 123km of fun rapids and tranquil deep green gorges cutting through untouched forest. When your arms are tired from paddling you'll enjoy chance to stretch your legs for a short walk to the Bridge to Nowhere and learn how this arched concrete bridge ended up so far from any roads. Stay three nights at your choice of isolated campsites or splash out for the first night at Posh Pioneers gorgeous shepherd’s huts with a delicious home-cooked dinner, breakfast and barista coffee. Not to mention hot showers. You'll exit the awa at the historic Māori settlement of Pipiriki. Journey back to base by van, or choose to have your vehicle relocated so you can continue your travels skipping the return road portion of the trip.
Attractions: Lavender Farm, Ohura Falls, Blue Duck Cafe, Bridge To Nowhere
Hut/Camp Recommendations: 1st night Maharanui (optional extra posh pioneers), 2nd night John Coull, 3rd night Tieke
Guided Trip departs Monday - pickup Thursday
Full Monty
▶ Guided Tour: $1450pp (min 8 people) ▶ Guided non-catered: $1100pp ▶ Freedom Hire: $275pp (min 4 people)
Taumarunui to Pipiriki • 5 days, 4 nights • 145km
Get away from it all with the ultimate in wilderness immersion. 145 kms of discovery, running exhilarating rapids, gently floating along deep, mirrored gorges, enjoying the simplicity and starlight of true Kiwi camping, far from the modern world. Stay three nights at your choice of riverside campsites or indulge for the first night at Posh Pioneers. Their gorgeous shepherd’s huts with a delicious home style cooking (Dinner and Breakfast) will have you excited. Enjoy a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere and be amazed by the history and incredible stories this concrete giant holds. You’ll take your leave of the awa at the historic Maori settlement of Pipiriki. Journey back to base via road or opt for the car shift option.
Attractions: Lavender Farm, Ohura Falls, Blue Duck Cafe, Bridge To Nowhere
Hut/Camp Recommendations: 1st night Poukaria (Freedom Hire) or Nukunuku-Ercegs (Guided), 2nd night Maharanui or Mangapapa, 3rd night John Coull, 4th night Tieke - upgrade to Posh pioneers night 1 for added luxury.
Guided Trip departs Sunday - pickup Monday
* Accommodation is subject to availability.
Guided Tour prices are based on 8 people, smaller groups will incur extra costs.
Minimums apply and discounts are available for large groups.
We also have a large range of optional extras, Mountain Biking, Helicopters, Jetboats and more. Feel free to ask about these when you are booking.
Freedom Hire options are available for all tours, please contact us for more information.
Accommodation on the Whanganui River
Department of Conservation Huts and Campsites
There are only Department of Conservation campsites on the Taumarunui to Whakahoro section of the Whanganui River, with the John Coull Hut and Tieke Marae being supplemented by campsites. There is a hut at Whakahoro, but it is sleeping only, with separate cooking shelters outside. John Coull Hut has gas rings to cook on, but canoeists must take their own pots, plates and eating utensils. There is a campsite approximately every two hours after Ohinepane, each having a shelter that serves as a water catcher, and a toilet. Each campsite has storage for about 5000 litres of fresh water that does not need purifying.
It is not possible to freedom camp beside the Whanganui River. DOC hut and campsite bookings must be made before going on the river. It is now possible to book a bed in the DOC huts and at the Tieke Marae.
Posh Pioneers
We highly recommend the accommodation and exclusive experience of Posh Pioneers, located right next to the Maharanui campsite just north of Whakahoro. Posh Pioneers is a unique off the grid boutique accommodation experience hosted by the lovely Heather and Fritz Bonk. A stay here will provide some unforgettable memories
Blue Duck Lodge
You can also book into the private Whio Lodge or Steele’s Shearing Quarters at Blue Duck Station in Whakahoro. Be aware there is quite a hike to bring your gear up from the river at the end of a long day paddling.
Private Campsites
The private Ramanui Campsite opposite Tieke Marae has a 6-bed hut, or campsites. The hut can be booked directly with the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge at 0800 480 308 or by email.
Further Downstream
From Pipiriki onwards you can organise your campsites as you go with a variety of options available, Whanganui River Adventures have Camping and cabins in Pipiriki, further down is Jerusalem, then a campsite at Ranana, The Flying Fox, Koriniti, Downes Hut, Atene, Parekino and finishing at the Top 10 Holiday Park in Whanganui.
What you need to know
Prices are per person and there is a minimum of 8 people required for a guided trip booking. Discounts available for large group bookings.
Accommodation choices along your journey include many campsites, Department of Conservation huts, lodges and glamping sites. More info below.
What we provide at our Base: WiFi, Tea, Coffee, Showers, Toilet Facilities and Secure Flood Lit Vehicle Storage at our base.
What we provide for your journey: Transport to and from the River, Canoe/Kayak, Paddles, Life Jackets, Storage Drums, Dry Bags, Baler, Rope, River Maps, Safety Video and Briefing, Emergency Kit and Personal Locator Beacon.
Guided Tours are also provided with camping equipment - Aussie style single swags and 50mm self inflating mattresses, tours are fully catered and your guide will carry extra safety and communications gear.
What you need to bring: See the Equipment List here.
What you need to do before you arrive: Watch our Safety Video below.
NOW AVAILABLE - order Go Native Ready to Eat Meals through Blazing Adventures.
Delicious, ready to eat casseroles and curries. Not dehydrated, heat our ready to eat casseroles and curries in the pouch for 2 minutes in boiling water. Other freeze-dried meals don't come close to these homestyle hearty meals.
Meal Pouches $12 each
Instant Rice/Mashed Potato $3.50 each
River Conditions
The best idea is to call us on 0800 252 946 for an update on expected conditions before you leave home.
Check the river levels at Te Maire, Pipiriki, and Whanganui Town Bridge. Whanganui tidal info available also.
The Whanganui River is considered unsafe for canoeing when the Levels are above 1.5m at Te Maire and above 3.5m at Pipiriki. Extreme care should also be exercised when the river is high and the weather forecast is indicating rain in the Whanganui River headwaters.
Your safety is important to us and we reserve the absolute right to not allow passengers to travel when we consider the river conditions or weather forecasts are unfavourable, or for any other reason, at our sole discretion. In the event that we consider the river to be unsafe for canoeing, we will offer an alternative date or fully refund any deposit or other payment made. If we consider the river to be safe for your trip and you choose not to go, we reserve the right to keep any deposit or payment made.
