Activities Guide

Starting high up in the volcanic plateau of the central North Island at Mt Tongariro, the river travels north to Taumarunui before heading south for 260km to Wanganui passing through the native tree and fern clad hills of the Whanganui National Park.

The upper reaches of the river cloaked in dense rainforest, lead to the deeply incised gorges of the middle reaches, where tree ferns and rare native plants cling to the steep riverbanks. This dramatic landscape opens out in the lower reaches of the river to follow rolling farmland and open valleys to the coastal dunes and cliffs which border the Tasman Sea to the west.

Several seasonal transport operators as well as all year tourism operators including Forest Lodge who provide a vast myriad of activities in and around the Whanganui River including:

Canoeing/Kayaking
Tramping
Mountain Biking