Whanganui River

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