Whanganui National Park encloses the wild upper and middle reaches of the Whanganui River, which is New Zealand's longest navigable waterway. Beginning beneath the shadow of the central plateau's giant volcanoes, the 329 kilometre river winds its way to the Tasman Sea through an endless procession of forested valleys and hills.
The river was once an important transport route for Maori, and many defensive pa (forts) were constructed on headlands along its sinuous course. Early European settlers and traders also used the river for transport, guiding their shallow-draft boats through the long narrow gorges that today provide so much enjoyment for kayakers.
The paddling adventure that begins in Taumarunui and finishes in Pipiriki is known as the 'Whanganui Journey'. Jet boats operate from both ends of the Whanganui River, providing visitors with rewarding day trips into the heart of the park. Jet boat is the easiest way to access the famous 'Bridge to Nowhere' – a haunting relic from the past.
The Whanganui National Park has a very distinctive landscape of river valley systems with steep slopes, razor-sharp ridges and an almost complete cover of native lowland forest. The park is at the center of a large sedimentary basin, so the rocks are mostly mud stones - easily sculpted by the river into fascinating shapes. |
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| surrounded by dense bush: Whanganui River |
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