Unique Whanganui River Tour

Find Your Adventure

Our favourite trip, relaxed, time to see extras and just appreciate the beauty & tranquillity of the river.
5Day
Adventure
5 Days & 4 Nights – Whanganui River Journey
$1,370 per person (incl. GST) Minimum 4 guests | Maximum 10 guests

  • All trips are fully guided by our trained Cultural Navigators.
  • The trip can be tailored to accommodate rest days or different stops.
  • Includes three catered meals per day.
  • Tents and bedding are provided. Huts can be booked in advance.
  • Minimum 4 guests per group, maximum 10 guests.

Overview
This fully guided 5-day journey takes you deep into the heart of the Whanganui River—through remote wilderness, rich cultural heritage, and unforgettable landscapes. Led by experienced Awa Navigators, this adventure is designed to connect you with the natural and cultural essence of the awa.
  • Three catered meals per day included
  • Tents and bedding provided (hut upgrades available with advance booking)
  • Trips can be tailored to include rest days or alternate stopovers
  • Minimum 4 guests, maximum 10 guests per group
Your Adventure Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to the River We begin at Raetihi Holiday Park, our main pick-up point, and travel together to the launch site at Ohinepane. Then, enjoy a 5-hour canoe journey to Whakahoro campground, where we settle in with a rustic dinner and an evening of Māori storytelling and waiata (song).

Day 2 – Deeper into the Wild A 6-hour paddle from Whakahoro to John Coull campground. Your Awa Navigator will share stories of the river and its significance along the way. The area teems with native birdlife, including kererū, tūī, and pīwakawaka (fantails). At night, keep an ear out for the call of the brown kiwi and watch for long-tailed bats.

Day 3 – Bridge to Nowhere & Tīeke In the morning, we canoe to Mangapurua Landing, followed by a bush walk to the iconic Bridge to Nowhere. Then it’s back on the river, paddling to Tīeke Kāinga, a riverside Māori settlement, where you'll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome ceremony).

Day 4 – Rest & Explore Take the day to relax or explore the bush and history of Tīeke. Once a significant trading hub and fortified pā, it’s a place rich in cultural stories and quiet beauty. Day 5 – Rapids & Return The final day includes exciting rapids on a 3-hour paddle to Pipiriki. Your Awa Navigator will guide you through safely, at a pace that suits your group. We’ll enjoy a final lunch together before returning to Raetihi Holiday Park.

Ready to paddle the path of stories and spirit?

Book Now or contact Hayden to plan your Unique Whanganui Experience.
4Day
Adventure
4 Days & 3 Nights – Whanganui River Journey
$1,220 per person (incl. GST) Minimum 4 guests | Maximum 10 guests

Overview
This 4-day journey is a perfect balance of adventure, cultural immersion, and connection with the natural beauty of the Whanganui River. Led by our trained and experienced Awa Navigators, this fully guided trip includes:
  • Three catered meals per day
  • Tents and bedding provided (hut upgrades available with advance booking)
  • Flexible itinerary options, including rest days or alternative stops
  • Minimum 4 guests, maximum 10 per group
Your Adventure Itinerary
Day 1 – Journey Begins We’ll meet at Raetihi Holiday Park, then travel together to Whakahoro to launch the canoes. From there, it’s a gentle 2-hour paddle to Mangapapa campsite, where we’ll settle in for the night with a rustic dinner and evening of Māori storytelling and waiata.

Day 2 – Into the Wilderness A 4-hour paddle takes us from Mangapapa to John Coull campground. We’ll break along the way for lunch and riverside kōrero. Surrounded by native bush and birdlife, the campground offers a peaceful place to unwind. Keep an eye out for long-tailed bats at dusk, and listen for the haunting call of the brown kiwi after dark.

Day 3 – Bridge to Nowhere & Tīeke We begin the day with a paddle to Mangapurua Landing, followed by a forest walk to the iconic Bridge to Nowhere. After returning to the river, we continue to Tīeke Kāinga, a small Māori settlement where you’ll be welcomed with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome) at the marae.

Day 4 – Rapids & Reflection The final day takes us through exciting—but beginner-friendly—rapids as we make our way to Pipiriki. Your Awa Navigator will support you every step of the way. We’ll finish with a shared lunch before heading back to Raetihi Holiday Park.

Ready to paddle the path of stories and spirit?

Book Now or contact Hayden to plan your Unique Whanganui Experience.
3Day
Adventure
3 Days & 2 Nights – Whanganui River Journey
$1,020 per person (incl. GST) Minimum 4 guests | Maximum 10 guests

Overview
This 3-day river journey offers a rich taste of the Whanganui experience—combining cultural connection, beautiful wilderness, and beginner-friendly adventure. Fully guided by experienced Awa Navigators, this journey includes:
  • Three catered meals per day
  • Tents and bedding provided (hut upgrades available with advance booking)
  • Customisable stops and pacing based on your group’s needs
  • Minimum 4 guests, maximum 10 per group
Your Adventure Itinerary
Day 1 – Journey Begins We’ll meet at Raetihi Holiday Park before travelling to Whakahoro, where we launch our canoes. It’s a relaxed 6-hour paddle to John Coull campground, with a scenic stop for lunch and storytelling along the way. Set deep in native forest, John Coull offers a chance to unwind and connect with the sounds of the bush—including kererū, tūī, and pīwakawaka. At dusk, we may spot long-tailed bats and hear the call of the brown kiwi.

Day 2 – Bridge to Nowhere & Tīeke We start with a paddle to Mangapurua Landing, followed by a forest walk to the historic Bridge to Nowhere. Back on the river, we continue to Tīeke Kāinga, where you’ll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri at the marae—a powerful moment of cultural connection.

Day 3 – Rapids & Farewell Our final day includes fun and safe rapids as we make our way to Pipiriki (around 3 hours on the river). Your Awa Navigator will guide you through the rapids at a pace that suits your group. We’ll finish with a shared lunch before returning to Raetihi Holiday Park.

Ready to Book?

Contact Marama to start planning your Unique Whanganui Experience

EXPLORE THE RIVER EXPERIENCE WITH US

TRAINED AWA NAVIGATORS

Our navigators have participated in the Tira Hoe Waka wānanga; they are repositories of our local kōrero and qualified rafting guides with years of experience.

RIVER RAPIDS

All adventures involve experiencing small rapids; however, the last day of the multi-day adventures is the most fun of them all.  

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

We provide pick-up and drop-off from Raetihi; however, if you are further away and need transport, then we might be able to help.

TENTS AND BEDDING

Multi-day adventurers will be provided with a tent, air mattress, and inflatable pillow. Alternatively, huts can be booked in advance at an additional cost.  

reviews

5
Rated 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars (based on 10 reviews)
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What a fabulous experience!

Rated 5 out of 5
March 11, 2024

Our whānau has just finished the four day canoe trip with Unique. We loved every minute. Ngā Roma was a superb guide. She was so organized, made everything delightful and fun and we loved hearing her stories of the awa. Staying in DOC huts was great and staying at Tieke Kainga marae was a highlight. The days on the river were magical and under Ngā Roma’s guidance we learned enough technique to paddle confidently, enjoy every part of the awa and manage all the rapids!. From beginning to finish Unique were totally professional, helpful, efficient and all lovely interesting people. Thanks heaps for a truly great trip.

Jeanie Truell

Stunning Whanganui Awa canoe trip with Unique Whanganui

Rated 5 out of 5
December 21, 2022

Our group did the five-day trip – Everything was seamlessly arranged from the Canadian canoe waka themselves to wholesome meals, and accommodation bookings in Doc huts and campgrounds and best of all Tieke Kainga Marae.
It was so fabulous to journey with Hone and Lulu, our two guides. They offered support, encouragement, and confidence plus local knowledge of the Awa and its history, all overlayed with much laughter and good humour
I loved our time with Hone and Lulu and our group, I loved seeing and learning about the Whanganui Awa and surrounds from Ohinepane to Pipiriki, and I loved the excitement and challenge of paddling for five days
Thank you Unique Whanganui River

Sonya Maureen Hunt

A Spiritual Time

Rated 5 out of 5
December 20, 2022

Our 5 days on the river with Tangata Whenua was an experience that could not have happened without the guidance of our leaders, their knowledge of the Awa and the Whenua and their personal commitment to everything that their Iwi means to them. I’m so pleased we went with Unique and if fact we chose them because we wanted to experience the Awa with Guides who were blooded to the River and the Land. For me, our decision was rewarded by how much of themselves the Guides gave to us. I will be forever grateful to them. It was an incredible time and River Journey.
Ka mau te wehi e hoa ma!
Mauri ora!
Louise

Louise Waaka

ON RIVER EXPERIENCE

Your ‘on-river’ experience begins when you reach Whakahoro. Before getting on the water and making your way along the Retaruke River, to join the Whanganui River, you’ll be briefed thoroughly.

All safety procedures will be discussed and you’ll be trained with the best way to steer your canoe, how to read the water, and things to look out for along the way.

OFF RIVER EXPERIENCE

Time off the river is all about relaxing and telling a few stories. You’ll be provided with a tent, air mattress, inflatable pillow, and a bag for all of your things to go in – this is ‘glamping’ at its best!

You’ll be amazed at what can be cooked using a gas camp oven – roasts, baked goods, dessert – none of this dried packet stuff. And we hope you won’t go hungry, there’s plenty to keep you going!

"Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au"

"I am the river and the river is me"
We’ll guide you through the heart of the Whanganui River, places inaccessible by land, and you’ll get a taste of the great food, history and culture of the river - memories that will stay with you forever.
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