Whanganui National Park

The attraction of walking in the Whanganui National Park

The Whanganui National Park was established in 1987 to protect one of the largest remaining areas of lowland forest in the North Island. It is located in the southern portion of the North Island, just north of its namesake town. The 74,200 hectares of the park follow the course of the Whanganui River, New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway and, in past times, an important transport route for Maori and the early European settlers.

The Whanganui River runs through the heart of the Whanganui National Park and is a huge part of its attraction. Those that venture down the river are treated to forested gorges, ravines and valleys; rock formations carved out by the river over centuries; abundant birdlife; manifestations of Maori culture and occasional remnants of European settlement attempts.  

The national park is home to the Whanganui Journey, one of the nine multi-day expeditions that the New Zealand Government’s Department of Conservation (DOC) has designated as ‘New Zealand Great Walks’. All the other great walks are actually walks; this one, being on a river, is a canoeing or kayaking expedition.

The full Whanganui Journey, covering 145 km, is generally done in five days, although a three day version is very popular and one or two day excerpts can also be done.  DOC huts and campsites have been established at regular intervals along the route.

A number of tour operators conduct guided Whanganui Journey trips, providing canoes, kayaks and all other specialised gear. For their multi-day trips, the tour operators mostly use the DOC huts or campsites. We can help you to plan and book your Whanganui adventure. Click below to learn more.