Canoeing and jet boating

There is no shortage of water activities! Ranging from picnics, fishing, and walks along the riverbanks to adventure kayaking, jet boating, and even jet ski trips on the Retaruke and Whanganui Rivers. Water tubing in the bush streams is also highly recommended!

Retaruke River

With varying levels of difficulty there is kayaking for everyone on the Retaruke River. There is an immense variety of scenery here and the bush is extremely compact with lowland forest, gorges, canyons, papa rock, waterfalls and wildlife. In February last year DoC counted 42 Blue Ducks on the entire stretch of the river, giving an indication of the river's pristine water quality.

The lower stretch is the most frequently paddled. This entails 15 km of river which can be kayaked in approximately 2 hours with up to standard Grade 2 rapids. Recently 11 Blue Ducks were spotted on this stretch alone. Carry a fishing rod for a spot of fishing along the way! This costs $90 per person for a guided kayak or $60 per person unguided. Both prices include kayak, paddles and life jackets.

Further upriver is where the white water rages and kayaking is for the more adventurous with gorges, papa shoots and small waterfalls to manoeuvre. The upper Retaruke is comparatively untouched and the ducks are not as frequently surveyed. There are several good launch places for a total of 2 days paddling which can be done in two or three parts.

Whanganui River

Whakahoro is where the Retaruke Whanganui Rivers meet. The Whanganui river then continues all the way to Wanganui city itself.

A few hours kayak from here takes you into the heart of the Whanganui National Park and you can return to the lodge by jet boat.

Alternatively spend more time on the jet boat and visit spots upriver such as the Ohura falls, Nui poles and old house sites and abandoned farms. Our knowledgeable jet boat driver will point out remnants from the days when the river was used by steamboats.

The famous Bridge to Nowhere and more abandoned farms in the Maungaparua Valley are accessible from the river, and are approximately 1.5 hours jet boating down river from Whakahoro. This journey will take you through the Whanganui National Park.

Another one of our favorite trips is a late afternoon cruise to some of the nearby waterfalls and sandy beaches to be enjoyed with snacks and a bottle of champagne.

Longer river journeys, such as the three-day paddle in a Canadian canoe to Pipiriki, start here. A one-day overnighter from Taumarunui is an exhilarating trip with grade 2 rapids, which will take you to Whakahoro. We are happy to arrange these trips for you in combination with your stay at the lodge.

Suitable canoe for this area are: minnows, sit-on kayaks, sea kayaks without rudders, canadian canoes.