Points of interest Taumarunui SH41 to Turangi Welcome to the Whanganui 4941 1 Ohura Falls is a great spot for lunch. River Journey, one of nine 2 Glide down the river through the green-clad Whanganui gorge. 443 unforgettable journeys. 3 Bridge to Nowhere. Ohinepane Experience the scenic beauty, history and cultural significance of 4 Tīeke Kāinga, for a unique stay at the only the winding Whanganui River. Choose a 5-day journey by canoe DOC hut that is also used as a marae. or kayak from Taumarunui to Pipiriki (145 km), or a shorter 3-day journey starting at Whakahoro (87 km), featuring the most scenic 5 Paddle through4943 the scenic gorge of the Manganui o te Ao River. stretches of the river through remote hills and valleys. r e v Experience the excitement of the two biggesti 6 R a r Poukaria 623m rapids on the river – Ngāporo and Autapu.u h 632m O Side trips – details overleaf A Bridge to Nowhere 629m 1 (one way) (one km 145 Distance: Whanganui 3 or 5 days 5 or 3 Duration: Maharanui 44 JOURNEY GUIDE JOURNEY Plants and wildlife r National Park e D v i A R O i R u OIO Short-tail and long-tail bats/pekapeka n a g n may be fluttering overhead around John Whanganui a h W RAURIMU Coull Hut and campsite at dusk. Long- Whakahoro KAITIEKE ROAD tailed bats are smaller than the short- tailed bat, chestnut brown in colour, have Re ve r Mangapapa tar uk e Ri small ears and weigh 8–11 g. They are New Zealand’s only native mammal. Photo: DOC Alamy Stock Photo 2 Eels migrate up streams to find Ohauora suitable adult habitat in the river. They Andrew Bain / Andrew are secretive, mainly nocturnal, and N a t i o n a l P ar k prefer habitat with plenty of cover. Tuna r e v (the Māori word for eels) are not only i R u historically important to Māori, they are a k a Plan and prepare r Photo: David Kelly a considered a taonga (treasure) species. g n a It is important to plan your trip thoroughly to ensure you stay safe T 699m and have a great time. Before you go, know the Outdoor Safety Code Kererū/wood pigeon are large birds with – 5 Simple rules to help you #makeithome. John Coull irridescent green and bronze feathers on their heads and a smart white vest. The 1. Plan your trip 635m W R noisy beat of their wings is a distinctive h A U a A n 2. Tell someone g T a I ! sound. They are the only remaining native n 3 T u 675m i Bridge to Nowhere I R R 3. Be aware of the weather i v bird capable of distributing large fruits e O r A D 4. Know your limits Mangapurua such as karaka and taraire. Photo: DOC 655m 5. Take sufficient supplies Mangawaiiti Whio/blue duck live only in clean, fast- TELL SOMEONE YOUR PLANS flowing streams in the forested upper Tell someone you trust your plans and when they should hear from you river catchments. Nesting along the next. Include the national/international emergency service numbers: riverbanks, they are at high risk of attack R Tieke Kainga A 111-Police for points of contact in New Zealand, +64-4-381-2000 for E from stoats and rats. You might see them T I H on the main stem of Manganui o te Ao international. Find more information at adventuresmart.org.nz. 4 I O 746m H River on the last day of your journey. Photo: Sabine Bernert U R 698m A 705m RO Further information and bookings Great Walk hut AD Broadleaf-podocarp forest has grown over r e iv 757m this land, composed of rātā, rewarewa, rimu, Visit the Great Walks website or contact your nearest R 786m o Great Walk campsite A te 49 tawa and kāmahi, with beech dominant on DOC Visitor Centre. i o 4 nu ga Toilet – there are also toilets an the ridge tops. Podocarp forest can be lush M Phone: 0800 NZ GREATWALKS (0800 694 732) at each hut and campsite 5 with a dense undergrowth of shrubs, ferns Email: [email protected] 4 and tree ferns. Tree ferns and plants that cling Great Walk 695m Oh a k u ne Ngaporo to the steep riverbanks are very distinctive. Photo: DOC Ra e ti h i Tramping track / Cycle trail 6 Book online greatwalks.co.nz Land surrounding the river is only State Highway AD O about one million years old. Formed PIPIRIKI RAETIHI R Other roads of soft sandstone and mudstone Share your experience – facebook.com/greatwalks This map is intended as a general (papa) from the ocean-bed, it has 630m SH4 guide only. For up-to-date track, 636m been eroded by water to form Published by: Department of Conservation, Marketing Team 0 1 Km to Whanganui route, hut and safety information PO Box 10420, Wellington, New Zealand | September 2016 | R92864 ¯ Pipiriki visit www.doc.govt.nz and/or striking sharp ridges, deep gorges, your local DOC Visitor Centre This publication is produced using paper sourced from before you travel. sheer papa cliffs and waterfalls. Photo: DOC well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. peninsula, past the Tarepokiore (whirlpool) A Paddling guide rapids, and then the large overhang Side trip – Bridge to Nowhere known as Tamatea’s Cave. Please do not Track history The 145 km river journey from 40 min one way enter the cave as it is wāhi tapu (a sacred Taumarunui to Pipiriki usually At Mangapurua Landing, where the old Māori cultivated the sheltered terraces, and place). Otaihanga Reach leads you to your riverboats used to tie up, hop out of your built elaborate eel weirs along river channels takes 5 days to complete by overnight stop at John Coull Hut canoe and take a walk to the Bridge to to trap eels and lamprey on their migration canoe. A shorter 3-day journey and Campsite. Nowhere. It’s a poignant reminder of the up river. Every river bend had a kaitiaki from Whakahoro to Pipiriki is Mangapurua Valley farm settlement, John Coull Hut to Tīeke Kāinga (guardian) which controlled the mauri (life also possible. 1 day, 29 km carved out of the bush and then forced off between the two World Wars. Look out force) of that place. The mana (prestige) of On this section, follow the river as it The times are approximate and will vary for cyclists as the track is also part of the a settlement depended upon the way food meanders through bush-covered hills, according to your fitness, direction of travel Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail. Please keep supplies and living areas were looked after and the weather. passing the mouths of the Tangarakau and the downstream end of the Mangapurua for the benefit of the hapū (tribe) and visitors. Whangamomona Rivers where they join the Landing clear except when getting in or Taumarunui to Whakahoro Whanganui River. Mangawaiiti Campsite, out of canoes. Te Ātihaunui, a Pāpārangi people, settled 2 days, 57 km perched high above the river, is an attractive the valley from early times. Eventually Access points are at Ngahuinga spot to camp or stop for lunch. the river became linked by a series of hapū (Cherry Grove) in Taumarunui or further You’ll pass Mangapurua Landing, gateway downstream at Ohinepane (accessed from which were called ‘the plaited braids of to Mangapurua Valley and the Bridge to Hinengakau’. River Road SH43). Nowhere. Continue your trip downstream Travelling the upper reaches of Whanganui to Tīeke Kāinga, one of many old pā on the Europeans missionaries arrived in the 1840s. River you’ll pass through a mix of Whanganui River. In 1891 a regular riverboat service began farmland and native bush. You’ll be in for carrying passengers, mail and freight to Tīeke Kāinga to Pipiriki excitement as you shoot down rapids on other European settlers on the river between this section of the river. Camp beside the 1 day, 21.5 km Whanganui and Taumarunui. river at Ohinepane, Poukaria or Maharanui You’ll pass by the scenic gorge of the campsites. From here, you get the feeling Manganui o te Ao River, as it enters the of venturing into the heart of a rich and Whanganui River after its journey from Photo: Herb Christophers rugged landscape. the slopes of Mount Ruapehu. Ngaporo and Autapu rapids can provide plenty of Whakahoro to John Coull Hut excitement and perhaps a cool dip on a 1 day, 37.5 km hot day. More exotic trees and farmland Heat exhaustion The scenic middle reaches of the river indicate you are getting close to Pipiriki. Whanganui River Journey safety Photo: Herb Christophers feature numerous waterfalls especially after Shoot the Paparoa rapids and you will This can be serious and is usually caused by physical activity in a hot environment and not drinking enough water. heavy rain. After Mangapapa Campsite, see the boat ramp below Pipiriki Village STAYING SAFE ON THE WHANGANUI JOURNEY take a long loop around the Kirikiriroa up ahead. On the river – always give way to jet boats. Prevention: carry and drink water regularly. hut campsite hhRemember: craft travelling up river give way to craft travelling down Watch for symptoms: headaches, thirst, weakness, dizziness, nausea river. or vomiting. Maharanui John Coull Tīeke Kāinga Ōhinepane Poukaria 12 campsites Whakahoro Mangapapa Ōhauora 24 bunks Mangawaiiti Mangapurua 20 bunks Ngāporo Treatment: move to a cool shaded area to rest, remove excess 36 campsites 12 campsites 36 campsites 17 campsites 20 campsites 26 campsites 26 campsites 10 campsites 28 campsites 32 campsites hhWhen a jet boat approaches, canoeists should move to the right.