Whanganui River Trip

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui
January 5th 2011

Published: January 5th 2011

Hi All, Donavin reporting in after a fantastic canoe trip along the Whanganui River over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday break. Question: When is a Great Walk not a walk? Answer:-. When it is a canoe trip down the Whanganui River. Don't ask me why, but the Whanganui River Journey is designated as one of the nine Great Walks of New Zealand. For the last three years, since Marcos made the sugg... Read Full Entry

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Donavin Wick

Call 2 Adventure

I wish I had discovered this blog years ago. I did the mass email update for my previous adventures (United States and Europe) and now have no online documentation to share with fellow travelers. To the chagrin of some friends and family wanderlust has struck again. I managed to stay focused for nearly a year and a half in a job related to my college education, however the desire to travel has grown strong again and can no longer be suppressed. I have secured a 12 month Visa for New Zealand and hope to document this adventure for posterity, or at least the life of the TravelBlog. Enj... full info

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On The River Day 4 - Bridge to Nowhere

We took a break from paddling and tramped 50 minutes each way to this abondoned bridge out in the middle of nowhere.

On the River Day 4 - Canoes Tied Up for Bridge Walk

Again due to the limitation of the landing point and river levels we had to get creative with our tieing up of the canoes at the trailhead. To leave we had to scale down the rock face and scamble accross a number of canoes and kayaks to reach our canoes. Walking in the water wasn't an option as the water was about 20 feet deep in the area around the rock that we tied off to.

On The River Day 4...

Night 4 Take Out Point (looking down river) and Camp

Night 4 Take Out Point (looking up river) and Camp

Last sunset of 2010

Day 5 take out point.

Day 5 take out point - Pipiriki

We started the journey with only 2 canoes, but by the time we got to the end of our journey we had collected an armad of canoes and kayaks. That's our tent drying on the shrub.... we had it out for only 5 minutes before the driver arrived to collect us - 45 minutes early.

Day 5 drive along the river

Looking upstream.

Day 5 drive along the river - typical rural scenery.

Day 5 drive along the river - typical rural scenery - small villages.

Don't blink or you'll miss these rural clusters of farmers' homes.

Day 5 drive along the river - Looking North

Looking upstream.

Day 5 drive along the river - Looking South

Looking downstream - photo taken from the same spot as the previous shot.

Day 5 - Arrival in Wanganui looking upstream and at the town.

Day 5 - Arrival in Wanganui looking downstream and the Tasman Sea

Photo taken from the same spot as the previous shot.

Day 5 - First Sunset of 2011

Tasman Sea

Days 6 and 7 - Around Wanganui

Architectural detail of the town's well preserved historic buildings. This town has done a great job of preserving its historic past (most buildings in the historic town centre date from 1870's to 1930's) while allowing them to function to meet the needs of today.

Unique Architectural style for a NZ War Memorial

Sarjeant Art Gallery.

A great neo-classical art museum. While on the small side the interior scale of the building made the space feel human and open - a fantastic space to show art.

On NZ's only remaining coal powered paddle boat.

This boat was put into operation on the river 110 years ago, sunk 45 years ago where it remained until it was raised 15 years ago and restored to its former glory.

5th January 2011

Marcos
non-member comment

Amazing!
Hey Donavin, Great photos and fantastic story - so happy to hear that you and Lisette had a great time enjoying one of New Zealand's finest 'walks'. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to be there with you guys, but my thoughts definitely were. Great update and all the best this New Year. ~M

5th January 2011

Sue Anderson
non-member comment

Great Trip Report
Thanks for sharing this adventure with us, Donavin...it sounds like a trip you'll remember for a long, long time.

6th January 2011

Joy
non-member comment

You're a hardy bunch. Sounds like an amazing adventure!

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Whanganui River Trip

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