Self Guided Whanganui River
Owhango Adventures offers a range of self guided canoe and kayak hire options which means you manage the paddling yourself and you are not accompanied by a guide.
Our options range from a 1-day Canoe or Kayak through to the famous 5-day Whanganui River Journey.
The 5-day trip encompasses the entire navigable length of the river.
Guided options are available on request. Our Canoe & Kayak Hire Pricing page has more information.
FREE accommodation for canoeists, conditions apply
Rhett Davis2023-10-24Shout out to Jacob and Pat! Great staff and an awesome journey, I fully recommend everyone to experience itsteve Dodson2023-10-23Good food and great people, we did the 42nd traverse and they went out of their way to help us out, Grant and Jacob you guys rockMicah Davidson2023-08-08Best experience I’ve had in a long time, Grant and Willy made the journey there and back and the bush and rivers did the rest.Louis Pye2023-04-28Great long weekend courtesy of Grant, Willi and Pat at Ōwhango adventures. We had a large group and they were extremely hospitable and went above and beyond to make sure we were all set up for our trip. Highly recommendGabriela Gudex2023-04-27We arrived on a rainy Friday night to 5 star accomodation and boy we know we were in for a treat. Although the weather set us back by one day, it didn’t set back any of our plans in the slightest. Grant and Willy had our best interests in mind delaying the trip (definitely a good call when we got onto the river we soon realised it was a no brainer). With a change of plans, Grant sorted us out with some great last minute accommodation, and who would’ve thought we could be upgraded from the night before. We set sail on Sunday, Owhanga adventures set us up with canoes, barrels (for our belongings), life jackets and a safety briefing to send us on our way. Communication was excellent, but the chat and hospitality was even better. Even if you travel to the lovely Owhanga to discover your trip is cancelled, it will be well worth your while just to get to meet the dream team; Willy, Pat, Grant and the rest of the Owhanga crew. We will be back and we won’t be using any other company as it is impossible to find a better warm and welcoming experience. From GabrielClaudia Williams2023-04-27I went on the Owhango Adventures 3 days Whanganui River crossing with a group of 21 people. On the day, we were delayed due to the river level being too high. The team were so great and let us stay another night with no additional charge and proceeded to drive our group around Taumaranui to ensure we had a good time. The hotel is a little rough around the edges but has great character and comfy beds. The next day we were off on the river and got picked up in the big van. We were accidentally too slow on the last day, and left the bloke picking us waiting for a few hours. (So sorry Pat). Despite this, he was just so happy we were having a great time. Thanks Owhango Adventures. I will be recommending you guys and the Whanganui River to everyone I see!Alex Popov2023-04-22Thanks to the team for a great trip! Everything went smoothly and the company had a very relaxed vibe which made it feel more personal and less commercial like other tours in NZ.ant2023-04-22Top 4 day canoe adventure on the Whanganui. Grant and Willie excellent. Guided definitely recommended and made the trip one of those life experiences, no exageration.thomas boute2023-04-14Nous sommes un couple français venu explorer la nouvelle Zélande. Pour faire la great walk « Whanganui Journey » nous avons contacté Owhango Adventure recommandé par le DOC et nous avons été super satisfait de toute l’équipe. Ils proposent une nuit dans leurs locaux la veille du départ, la location des canoës, et la navette de retour à un prix raisonnable et abordable ce qui est rare pour une great walk. De plus, nous étions à la période du cyclone et le gérant nous a tenu informé jusqu’à la réouverture du trek. Merci à toute l’équipe d’avoir rendu cette great walk inoubliable !Mik Smellie2023-04-08Excellent adventure! Take the guided option for something special - local history & river knowledge, great kai, good laughs, kaitiakitanga at its best. Nga mihi Willi, one of those lifetime experiences. (Team Kakariki)
