Whanganui Journey

The Great Walk you paddle rather than walk: a canoe or kayak trip down the Whanganui River, either the full 145 km from Taumarunui to Pipiriki in about five days, or about 88 km from Whakahoro in about three. Local suppliers hire out the boat, paddles, life jacket, dry bags and waterproof barrels as a package, so you need not own any gear, though you spend most of each day on the water. The classic side trip is a 3 km return walk to the Bridge to Nowhere, a remnant of the abandoned Mangapurua Valley farm settlement. Its Great Walk season runs outside the May to September winter. A good choice for groups who would rather sit than climb, and it often has space.