Adventurers heading down the Whanganui River with Ōwhango Adventures. Photo / Visit Ruapehu
Whether you’re looking for your next outdoor adventure, a fun day trip for the whole family or just wanting to see more of New Zealand’s great outdoors, here are some spots in and around the Whanganui region to visit this summer.
1. Tour the historic Bridge to Nowhere
Take a trip into Whanganui National Park to see the eerie bridge forgotten in time. The Bridge to Nowhere is in the heart of Whanganui National Park, spanning the Mangapurua Stream.
The bridge was built for a settlement of returned World War I soldiers and their families in 1936. It was abandoned in 1944 when the last remaining families were forced to leave the valley due to challenging farming conditions and deteriorating road access.
Today, it is a thriving tourist attraction and emblem of the park.
The bridge is primarily accessed via jet boat, canoe or kayak tours on the Whanganui River, with several tour operators to choose from. The tours dock at the Mangapurua Landing, and visitors walk a 2.7km path to the bridge.
For experienced hikers and mountain bikers, the bridge is accessible via the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka tracks, which weave through dense forest, rugged terrain and river crossings.
The tracks are two segments within the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle trail and Te Araroa Trail. They begin at Whakahoro or Ruatiti road ends.
2. Walk to Taranaki Falls
Tongariro National Park is home to a multitude of hiking trails and natural wonders, including the scenic trek to Taranaki Falls.
The walk is a 6km loop through the Tongariro landscape and takes most hikers roughly two hours.
The trail begins through the tussock and alpine shrublands with views of the central North Island mountains on a clear day.
It then delves into beech forest teeming with birds and plant life before descending to Wairere Stream, passing Cascade Falls and views of the narrow gorge.
The 20m Taranaki Falls come into view next, spilling over a 15,000-year-old andesite lava flow from Mt Ruapehu.
The second half of the loop passes the falls and ascends a 100-step stairway to a forest of mountain toatoa. Hikers walk along a lava flow, now covered with red tussock, back towards the trail head, passing eroded gullies, alongside Mt Ruapehu and exposed layers of pumice and ash from past eruptions on the old Waihohonu horse trail.
DoC classes this hike as easy to intermediate.
3. Canoe or kayak the awa
The awa, or Whanganui River, spans roughly 290km between Mt Tongariro and the Tasman Sea, with meandering river flow mixed with bubbling rapids, through dramatic valleys and remote bush.
Visitors can enjoy a selection of boating options ranging from short paddles in calm sections, suitable for families and most levels of paddling experience, to the full Whanganui Journey.
Tour companies offer a selection of guided tours and equipment rental options.
DoC strongly recommends anyone who is new to canoeing or less confident in the water, and solo paddlers regardless of experience, should choose a guided tour for better safety and enjoyment of their trip.
The Whanganui Journey spans 145km, from Taumarunui to Pipiriki, and takes on average five days. It is recommended for experienced canoers or kayakers with good fitness and who are confident swimmers.
A shorter version from Whakahoro to Pipiriki is 88km and takes on average three days.
DoC huts and campsites are posted along the river for multiple-day trips.
The recommended season is between October 1 and April 30. From May 1 to September 30, it is recommended only for experts with experience canoeing remote New Zealand rivers in winter.
4. Explore the Waitahinga Trails
Picnic at or explore the Waitahinga Trails system, which runs through the 725-hectare Waitahinga Dam Reserve.
The Waitōtara Valley is home to an expanse of native bush and wildlife. This trail system has a series of hikes ranging from short family-friendly walks to longer treks suitable for seasoned hikers.
About 30 minutes from Whanganui, it is a destination catering to all levels, and dogs are allowed.
The Waitahinga Dam was built in 1904 and decommissioned in the 1990s. Accessible via the Waitahinga Dam Loop, a four to five-hour return trip, the dam offers views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Taranaki beside emerald dam water.
The reserve does not have toilets or other facilities. Access is via unpaved roads.
5. Explore the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Cycle Trail
Take in the dramatic views along this 217km trail ride through two national parks. The adventure ride is tailored to cyclists of beginner to experienced abilities.
It weaves through the mountains, river gorges and plains of the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks, starting in Ohakune and ending at the Tasman Sea. It passes many of the parks’ main attractions, including the Bridge to Nowhere.
The ride is made up of eight contiguous smaller trails, linked by a 32km river section crossed by boat, and ranging in difficulty from cycle grades two to four.
Grade two is defined as easy with predominantly flat, smooth trails, some gentle inclines and avoidable hazards - best for those with some cycle experience but may be a beginner mountain biker.
The Fishers Track section is grade two and ideal for novice riders, starting at Waimarino (formerly National Park Village) and ending in Kaitieke. It takes an average of two to three hours.
The rest of the segments are grade three (intermediate) and grade four (advanced), suited to those with mountain biking experience.
For more information on the trail, how to organise for it and where to stay, see the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono website.
6. Float down the Rangitīkei River to see Whitecliffs Boulders
A mossy garden of curiously round boulders litters the bank of the Rangitīkei River.
Not far from Mangaweka, the Whitecliffs Boulders are a collection of marine mudstone rock formations that have formed over millions of years. Their unique silt and chemical makeup caused them to form in almost perfectly round spheres near the riverbank.
Guided rafting or jetboat tours bring you along the scenic river with dramatic cliff sides, with some offering catered lunches on the riverbank.
The boulder garden is accessible on foot via a walking trail through farmland and bush for a small fee if visiting without a boat trip.
7. Explore archways, caves and rock formations at Waverley Beach
Waverley Beach, just over the border in South Taranaki and a 40-minute drive from Whanganui, offers a sweeping black sand beach with striking rock formations, caves and a popular surf break.
The beach, a short drive from the town of Waverley, has attractions for the whole family.
Walkways along the beach and cliffs offer scenic views of the coastline. There is a campsite next to the beach.
The area is said to have some of the best fishing and offshore reef diving in New Zealand.
Visitors, especially with small children, should always be vigilant of ocean conditions and stick to ocean safety guidelines, as Waverley is not a lifeguarded beach.
8. Atene Viewpoint walk in Whanganui National Park
A scenic walk accessible to the whole family is a 40-minute drive up the Whanganui River Rd from Whanganui’s city centre.
The Atene Viewpoint is an hour-long walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Whanganui National Park and is part of the Atene Skyline Track.
It is a one to two-hour return trip, taking on average an hour to reach the viewpoint and less time to descend. A picnic table with sweeping views of the Whanganui River is located 20 minutes into the ascent.
A toilet is available on the trail, along with areas to take a break or have a snack.
9. Hike to Kaiwhakauka Waterfall
The hike to Kaiwhakauka waterfall is a family-friendly trek suitable for all experience levels.
The out-and-back trail is a two to three-hour round trip. It journeys through 8km of native bush on mostly flat terrain in the Whanganui National Park.
The trail is part of the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track.
Despite easier terrain, hiking shoes are recommended as the trail can become muddy with even small amounts of rain.
The trek begins at Blue Duck Station in Ōwhango, where hikers may have the chance to see a native blue duck (whio).
The station features a cafe, perfect for a snack before or after the hike.
10. Enjoy the sights at Ototoka Beach
A waterfall and beach day rolled into one, Ototoka Beach has a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy.
The secluded black sand beach north of Kai Iwi is known for its tumbling waterfall hidden in the small grassy valley leading down to the beach. The beach path crosses over a wooden bridge before stepping down to the black sand.
The hillsides and cliffs surrounding the beach are known for their bountiful marine fossils, with some dating 1.5 million years. There are rockpools to explore.
Ototoka is a popular swimming and fishing beach. It is not lifeguarded.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.