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Whanganui National Park |
The Whanganui National Park was established in 1986. The park includes part of the upper and middle Whanganui river valley and surrounding native forests. Located south of Taumarunui and West of Ohakune and Raetihi the area is a large sedimentary basin with distinctive steep sandstone valleys covered in lowland native forest.
History
The Whanganui river was used by Maori as a transport route with many Pa located along the river. Early European settlers and traders also used the river for transport using shallow bottom steamers to navigate the narrow gorges.
Activities In Whanganui National Park
The main activities in Whanganui National park are hiking, kayaking or canoeing and jet boating.
The Whanganui Journey within the park is included as one of New Zealand's Great walks. It is in fact a 145km river journey by canoe or kayak from Taumarunui to Pipiriki taking 4-5 days.
For trampers the Matemateaonga Track is one of the most popular longer trips (3-4 days one way). It follows an old Maori trail and settlers dray road deep into the park reaching it's end at the famous Bridge to Nowhere. A jet boat ride is required from the end of the track.
Operators provide Jet boat tours from Taumarunui and Pipiriki. Taking a jet boat from Pipiriki is also the easiest way to access the famous Bridge to Nowhere.
For more information on activities providers in the Whanganui National park please click here.
Accessing the Park
The park is most accessible from the towns of Taumarunui, Owhango, Raetihi, and Pipiriki. A range of accommodation is available in Taumarunui, Raetihi and nearby Ohakune. For Whanganui National Park accommodation click here.
You may also be interested in Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail or Tongariro National Park. |
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