Taumarunui
River 0 km (0 mi) · ≈171 m (561 ft)
Km 0 of 145 km (90.1 mi)Taumarunui → Pipiriki
0145 km
Top of the run
Booked one camp per night, in order
Whanganui Journey Permit
Whanganui National Park · Manawatu/Whanganui, New Zealand
Canoe or kayak Great Walk down the Whanganui River: 145 km from Taumarunui to Pipiriki, or 88 km from Whakahoro. Huts and campsites must be booked in the Great Walks season. Canoe hire and transport are booked separately.
Get an alert when every night of your Whanganui Journey itinerary has room for your group.
How booking the Whanganui Journey works
Whanganui Journey: Whanganui National Park, Manawatu/Whanganui, New Zealand. The Department of Conservation (DOC) takes the bookings. Huts and campsites are booked night by night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz.
Whanganui Journey, kilometre by kilometre
Whanganui Journey landmarks, top to bottom
Map of the Whanganui Journey, Taumarunui to Pipiriki
13 of 13 places in this section
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Landmark
Taumarunui
KM 0 · ≈171 m (561 ft)
Contains data sourced from the LINZ Data Service licensed for reuse under CC BY 4.0 · SRTM data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
How to get a Whanganui Journey permit
- Type
- River Access
- Location
- Whanganui National Park, Manawatu/Whanganui, New Zealand
- Distance
- 145 km (90.1 mi)
Step 1: How it is booked
Huts and campsites are booked night by night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz.
Step 2: Book with the agency
Book Whanganui Journey on bookings.doc.govt.nz. Have your dates, group size and payment ready.
Step 3: Get an alert when a spot opens
If your dates are full, set an alert at the top of this page. We check bookings.doc.govt.nz and tell you when a spot opens for your whole group.
Step 4: Check the agency page before you go
Fees, release days and closures change. Confirm the current rules on the agency's page before your trip.
Learn more:
In an emergency, call 111.
How much a Whanganui Journey permit costs
Whanganui Journey permit fee: Huts NZ$35 per adult per night, 1 Oct to 30 Apr; most campsites NZ$19 per adult per night.
Whanganui Journey FAQ
How do I book the Whanganui Journey?
Book each hut or campsite night on the DOC booking system at bookings.doc.govt.nz. A booking is required in the Great Walks season. Canoe hire and transport are separate.
When does Whanganui Journey booking open?
For stays from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, bookings opened on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 9:30 am New Zealand time. DOC had not published 2027/28 dates on 29 October 2026.
How long is the Whanganui Journey?
145 km (90.1 mi) from Taumarunui to Pipiriki, about 5 days on average. From Whakahoro it is 88 km (54.7 mi), about 3 days.
How much does the Whanganui Journey cost?
From 1 October to 30 April a hut night is NZ$35 per adult and most campsites are NZ$19. From May to September it is NZ$25 and NZ$12. Canoe hire and transport are extra.
Do you need experience for the Whanganui Journey?
DOC calls it "not a trip for beginners". You need swimming ability and fitness for 6 to 7 hours of paddling a day.
Can I do the Whanganui Journey without a booking?
Outside the Great Walks season, no booking is needed and huts and campsites are first come, first served.
Can I get a Whanganui Journey booking if the huts are full?
Nights from a cancellation go back on the DOC system. Set an alert on this page and we'll tell you when a spot opens.