Know before you go

Te Awa Tupua – a living being

DOC encourages visitors on the awa to familiarise themselves with Te Awa Tupua - The Whanganui River – a living being that nourishes and sustains the land and the people both physically and spiritually from the Mountains to the Sea.  

Before you go

To have a safe and enjoyable Whanganui Journey, you need to prepare and pack the right gear. You cannot turn back once you start.

Take these important steps before you start the Whanganui Journey.

• Understand how to use your canoe. Make sure you know how to pack it, how to navigate rapids and what to do if you fall out. This will help keep you safe on the river.
• Carry a distress beacon. Once on the Whanganui Awa (river), there is no cell phone reception and your mobile will not work. There is only emergency communication available at John Coull Hut and Tīeke Marae/Kāinga.
  Carrying a distress beacon means you can signal for help if you need it.
  More about distress beacons.

You should also:

• check the weather before you go. Do not canoe if the river is flooding, rising, or predicted to flood.
  Weather forecast for Whanganui National Park.
• pack plenty of warm clothes and extra food. It can be very cold and you need to be ready to stay an extra night if the river rises.
  What to take on the Whanganui Journey.
• wear bright clothing, so you’re more visible to boats
• pack what you need to boil or treat water –the water at huts and campsites may not be treated and safe to drink
• avoid alcohol use or smoking, for your safety and out of respect for the river
• pack antihistamines if you’re allergic to wasps – they’re especially common from January to May.

When you're on the river

Stay safe by always wearing a life jacket. If you fall out, it could save your life.

Stay on the true right whenever possible. The true right is the right hand side when facing downstream.

Be aware of jet boats and know what to do. This is essential for a safe trip.

When a jet boat approaches:

1. Move to the right hand side of the river, unless you’re already close to the other side. If you’re close to the left, stick to the left – don’t paddle across the path of the approaching boat
2. Stop or back-paddle, so the jet boat can get away from you as quickly as possible
3. Turn at right angle to the wake – this reduces how bumpy it will feel
   
   

Crafts travelling up river must give way to crafts travelling down the river. However, jet boats in rapids cannot slow down or stop.

Keep an eye on the weather and the river. If the river starts rising or is in flood, stay at your campground or hut until the river levels drop. You won’t be charged for staying an extra night due to high river levels. Rivers can rise overnight even if it’s not raining where you are, so tie your canoe up securely.

Leave enough time to reach your next hut or campsite in daylight. It is hard to find them in the dark. Allow extra time if it’s windy as canoeing into the wind can be slow and tiring.

More ways to stay safe in the outdoors.

Respect nature and culture

Many sites are of high cultural significance – please respect them. Avoid alcohol use while on the Awa or at Tīeke Marae/Kāinga.

Protect nature while on the Whanganui Journey by:

• camping only at designated camp sites
• taking all your rubbish away with you
• following all fire restrictions and not lighting any open fires.
• using the toilets provided
• keeping soap and detergents out of the water
• leaving dogs or any other animals at home
• not hunting within the river trench
• leaving native plants and animals alone – enjoy them from afar.