Whanganui National Park

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Visitor information DOC website

Getting there

There are three ways to get into the park:

By speedboat from Pipiriki : You can take the "jetboat" from Pipiriki to just before the bridge.  The boats cover the 50 km route in about 30 minutes (?). From the landing point ("Mangapurua Landing") it is about a 30-minute walk to the bridge. On foot from the nearest road: about 3 hours hike. By canoe or kayak on the Whanganui River - a popular paddling route. The river is New Zealand's longest navigable river.

See

1 Bridge to Nowhere. The "Bridge to Nowhere" was built in the jungle in the mid-1930s with the aim of opening up the region for settlers. However, the project failed due to the outbreak of World War II, and road construction came to a stop. Even today, the bridge can only be reached on foot. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

Kayak down the Whanganui River Atene Skyline Track. A 12.5-km tramping trail passing through some spectacular forest landscapes. (updated May 2022)

Sleep

Lodging

Camping 1 Tieke Kainga Campsite, ☏ +64 6349 2100. (updated Jan 2022)

Backcountry