Surroundings, Wanganui

The Whanganui River (290km) rises on the western slopes of Mount Tongariro, flows through Taumarunui and then through almost impenetrable forest country, via Pipiriki and Wanganui, into the Tasman Sea. The country through which it flows is for the most part hilly and densely wooded. Below Pipiriki the river is tame enough but higher up there are rapids, waterfalls and narrow gorges. The Whanganui River Road is narrow but runs through a riverine landscape of great beauty.Although passenger and freight traffic on the Whanganui River was discontinued in 1958 as uneconomic, cruises on the river are now again available to meet the increasing demands of the tourist trade. There is, for example, a 5 day cruise from Taumarunui to Wanganui (October to March). From Wanganui, Pipiriki and Taumarunui there are jet-boat trips, and in summer visitors can paddle down the river in a canoe from Taumarunui to Wanganui at its mouth, a distance of 232km.The most beautiful stretches of the river can be reached only on foot. There are a number of trails that take walkers to particularly attractive spots on the river