Blazing Saddles – Whanganui River Canoe Adventures Self Guided
Blazing Saddles – Whanganui River Canoeing Trips
Create your own unforgettable journey down New Zealand’s iconic Whanganui River.
Situated on the Whanganui River, our base in Taumarunui in the Central Plateau of New Zealand offers an incredible scenic area including canoe adventures to suit your timeframe. From our super quick splash and dash to the unforgettable Ohinepane to Pipiriki four day journey or the ultimate five day excursion, contact us to plan your Whanganui River adventure and enjoy our complimentary door-to-river transfer shuttle service.
Blazing Paddles Canoe Adventures is being operated by Glenn and Raewyn Martin. The business has moved 200m north to 985 State Highway 4, Piriaka.
We’ve built a reputation of being there early and getting you on the way home much quicker than most operators. We have newly designed trailers, Great Canoes and Kayaks, Drums and Dry bags.
Whanganui Canoeing Trip Options:
All Canoe Tours include:
- Personal Locator Beacon
- Storage drums and dry bags
- A hot or cold refreshment at the end of your journey
- Secure vehicle storage
- Hot shower on return to base
Cooking and camping equipment is available for hire.
Blazing Paddles – Splash N Dash
Price: $100 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: one day
A one day paddle, starting at Cherry Grove, Taumarunui (known to the local Maori as Ngahuinga) you’ll paddle along the upper Whanganui River to Ohinepane and experience plenty of rapids along the way. Great for those with limited time, You can also take a pit stop at the lavender farm along the way for a cuppa! A great day’s canoeing can be had by launching at Cherry Grove, in Taumarunui, and exiting at Ohinepane, with nearly 50 of the 249 named rapids on this section. Another one day option is available – from Ohinepane to Whakahoro (about six hours).
Blazing Paddles – Overnighter Two Day Paddle
Price: $175 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: Two days / One night
A two day paddle, starting at Cherry Grove, Taumarunui (known to the local Maori as Ngahuinga) you’ll paddle along the upper Whanganui River to Whakahoro. Overnight camping at the beautiful Ohinepane Camping Ground (Toilet facilities at site).
Blazing Paddles – Whanganui National Park Highlights
Price: $200 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: Three days / 3 nights
Our most popular experience. A three day paddle, starting at Whakahoro you’ll travel though the beautiful Whanganui National Park experiencing the rapids and mirror pools of the Whanganui River through to Pipiriki. Includes one night accomodation prior to your experience at River Rock Cottage beside the Whanganui River at the Blazing Paddles base.
Blazing Paddles – Ohinepane Kickback
Price: $200 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: Four days / Four nights
A four day paddle, starting at Ohinepane you’ll travel though the beautiful Whanganui National Park experiencing the rapids and mirror pools of the Whanganui River through to Pipiriki.
Includes one night accomodation prior to your experience at River Rock Cottage beside the Whanganui River at the Blazing Paddles base.
Blazing Paddles – Whanganui River Ultimate Experience
Price: $200 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: Five day
A five day paddle, starting at Cherry Grove, Taumarunui (known to the local M?ori as Ng?huinga) you’ll travel though the beautiful Whanganui National Park experiencing the rapids and mirror pools of the Whanganui River through to Pipiriki.
Includes one night accomodation prior to your experience at River Rock Cottage beside the Whanganui River at the Blazing Paddles base.
Blazing Paddles – Te Araroa Walkers
Price: $225 per person
Departs: 8:30 am
Duration: six to eight day paddle
A six, seven or eight day paddle, starting from your choice of either Taumarunui, Ohinepane or Whakahoro you’ll travel though the beautiful Whanganui National Park experiencing the rapids and mirror pools of the Whanganui River through to Wanganui.
Includes one night accomodation prior to your experience at River Rock Cottage beside the Whanganui River at the Blazing Paddles base.
Client pickup available from iSite or New World in Taumarunui or from National Park. Pack/Food storage available.
Accommodation on the Whanganui River:
There are only 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 and DOC hut or 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. We request you make your own DOC bookings online.
You can also book into the private Whio Lodge or Steele’s shearing quarters at Whakahoro and they will help you transport your gear up from the river. If interested, go to their website.
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.
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.
If you require further information please contact us on
Phone: o800 485 584 Email: info@mustdonewzealand.co.nz
