All aboard Whanganui's Easter cruise

Matthew (5) and Hannah (8) Alston get a turn at the wheel. Photo/ Stuart Munro

Glistening sunshine with a slight breeze made Whanganui's Easter cruise a day to remember.

More than 100 people hopped on board the Waimarie on Sunday, along with the Easter bunny and hundreds of chocolate eggs to hunt.

Siblings Hannah and Matthew Alston were among the crowd and enjoying the ride for the first time.

"So far, it's a big thumbs-up. We are pretty excited."

"The best part about Easter has been finding all the chocolate eggs - big ones and small ones," eight-year-old Hannah said.

Waimarie manager Ann Petherick said she wanted get more cruises running that celebrated special occasions.

"The kids seem to really love it, especially having Easter bunny on board. So, to do a special cruise on Easter Sunday was exciting," Ms Petherick said.

Matthew (5) and Hannah (8) snapped with Easter bunny and mum and dad Kathryn and Scott Alston on board the Waimarie. Photo/ Stuart Munro

She said the morning cruise was booked out by 9am so an afternoon cruise had to be arranged.

"We didn't want people missing out," she said.

The paddle-steamer took the usual two-hour route up the Whanganui River to Upokongaro and back to the jetty on Taupo Quay.

Ms Petherick promised the Easter cruise would become an annual event for people to look forward to.

More than 100 people hopped on board the Waimarie for an Easter cruise. Photo/ Stuart Munro