Price from:
133.4 USD
Booking Notes
Please read these notes carefully before your journey, as they contain important information about your Whanganui River canoe trip.
Arrival & Accommodation
✅ Complimentary accommodation check-in is available from 4:00pm on the day prior to departure
✅ Late arrivals are welcome
✅ Accommodation operates as a self-service check-in system
✅ The sliding door on the carpark side of the building will remain unlocked for guest access
✅ Important trip information, room allocations, departure details, and barrel allocations will be displayed on the whiteboard in the lounge area
✅ Room keys will be left in the allocated room doors
✅ Waterproof storage barrels are located beside the lifejackets in the lounge area
Before Departure
✅ All customers must complete and sign a waiver form prior to departure
✅ A full safety briefing and paddling instruction session will be provided before your journey
✅ Guests are encouraged to pack their waterproof barrels the evening prior to departure
✅ All barrels and equipment must be packed and placed outside on the deck area by 6:45am on departure morning
Departure Information
✅ Shuttle departure from Owhango is approximately 7:10am
✅ Customers will be transported to the river launch point at Ngā Huinga near Taumarunui
✅ Please ensure you are ready before departure time as the shuttle cannot be delayed
Recommended Overnight Stops
Night 1
Choose from:
Poukaria Campsite (DOC)
OR
Ohinepane Hut / Campsite (DOC)
Night 2
Choose from:
Whakahoro Hut / Campsite (DOC)
OR
Mangapapa Campsite (DOC)
Night 3
John Coull Hut / Campsite (DOC)
Night 4
Choose from:
Tieke Kāinga Hut / Campsite (DOC)
OR
Bridge to Nowhere Lodge (Private Accommodation)
⚠ DOC huts and campsites must be booked separately prior to departure.
Journey Completion
✅ Pickup is approximately 12:30pm at Pipiriki on the final day of your journey
✅ Please ensure all equipment is ready for collection upon arrival at Pipiriki
Weather & River Conditions
⚠ River journeys are subject to weather, river levels, and safety conditions
⚠ Owhango Adventures may delay, postpone, or cancel departures if conditions are considered unsafe
⚠ If conditions improve, departures may be delayed or rescheduled to the following day
⚠ If Owhango Adventures cancels the trip and postponement is not possible, a full refund will be provided
Freedom Hire Responsibility
⚠ This is a self-guided freedom hire journey
⚠ Customers are responsible for managing their own safety while on the river
⚠ If river conditions deteriorate during the journey, your first option should always be to wait for conditions to improve
⚠ If required due to weather or river conditions, customers may return a day later at no additional charge (subject to availability)
Additional Costs
⚠ Any additional shuttle, recovery, or jet boat assistance required due to weather, fatigue, injury, or personal choice will be at the customer’s cost
⚠ Transfer by jet boat is not included unless arranged separately
Equipment & Liability
⚠ Customers are responsible for loss or damage to hired equipment
⚠ Owhango Adventures is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings, valuables, or electronics
⚠ All equipment is regularly inspected and maintained for safety and reliability
Health & Safety
✅ A full safety briefing is provided before departure
✅ All paddlers must wear the provided life jacket / PFD at all times while on the river
✅ Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited during the journey
✅ Swimming ability is strongly recommended
✅ Moderate fitness is required as paddling can be physically demanding
✅ Customers with medical conditions, injuries, or disabilities that may affect safety must notify us before departure
✅ There is little to no cellphone reception across much of the journey
Important Information
✅ This journey forms part of one of New Zealand’s Great Walk / Great Journey experiences
✅ Minimum age is 7 years
✅ School groups can request SOP / RAMS / safety documentation
✅ We strongly recommend arranging personal travel insurance
✅ Once payment has been made or the journey has started, refunds are not available for change of mind
Thank you for choosing Owhango Adventures. We look forward to welcoming you on the Whanganui River.
Cancellation Policy
✔ Owhango Adventures strongly recommends arranging travel insurance to cover cancellations, delays, weather disruptions, or unexpected changes to your trip.
✔ Customers will receive a 100% refund if cancellation is made more than 72 hours prior to departure.
✔ Customers will receive a 50% refund if cancellation is made within 72 hours of departure.
✔ Customers will receive a 100% refund if the journey is cancelled by Owhango Adventures due to unsafe weather, river levels, or safety conditions.
✔ If weather or river conditions require postponement, customers may transfer their booking to an alternative available departure date.
✔ Genuine medical cancellations may receive a 100% refund provided:
A valid medical certificate is supplied; and
The refund request is submitted within 2 weeks of the certificate being issued.
✔ Medical refunds apply only to:
The person named on the medical certificate; and
One support person travelling within the same booking.
⚠ Once a journey has commenced, refunds are not available for unused services, early returns, weather interruptions during the trip, fatigue, or change of mind.
⚠ Any additional transport, recovery, shuttle, or jet boat assistance required due to personal circumstances, fatigue, injury, or customer decision-making is at the customer’s expense unless otherwise agreed.
⚠ Owhango Adventures reserves the right to delay, postpone, modify, or cancel trips where necessary for safety reasons including weather, river levels, track conditions, or operational requirements.
Important Information
✔ A full safety briefing and paddling instruction session is provided before departure.
✔ All paddlers must wear the supplied life jacket / PFD at all times while on the river.
✔ Customers must follow all instructions provided by Owhango Adventures staff before and during the journey.
✔ This is a self-guided freedom hire journey. Customers are responsible for managing their own safety while on the river.
✔ River trips are subject to weather conditions, river levels, and operational safety assessments.
✔ Owhango Adventures reserves the right to delay, postpone, modify, or cancel departures if conditions are considered unsafe.
✔ Swimming ability is strongly recommended.
✔ Moderate physical fitness is required, as paddling can be physically demanding over multiple days.
✔ Customers with medical conditions, injuries, disabilities, or any circumstance that may affect safe participation must notify us prior to departure.
✔ There is little to no cellphone reception across much of the Whanganui River journey.
✔ Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited during the journey.
✔ In the event of a capsize:
Remain calm
Stay with your canoe where possible
Follow the safety procedures explained during the briefing
✔ All personal gear should be packed securely into waterproof barrels or dry bags.
✔ Waterproof barrels are designed to help keep equipment dry, however incorrect sealing or user error may allow water inside. We strongly recommend additional waterproof protection for valuables and electronics.
✔ Customers are responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings, including electronic devices taken onto the river.
✔ Rescue, evacuation, recovery, or additional transport assistance required due to injury, fatigue, weather conditions, or personal circumstances may incur additional costs payable by the customer.
✔ Customers should carry:
Adequate drinking water
Suitable clothing
Warm layers
Rain protection
Food and personal medication
✔ This journey forms part of one of New Zealand’s Great Walk / Great Journey experiences and travels through remote wilderness areas with limited access.
✔ Outdoor adventure activities carry an inherent level of risk that cannot be completely eliminated.
✔ Owhango Adventures operates under New Zealand Adventure Activity Regulations and maintains audited safety management systems.
