Whanganui River Adventures
Whanganui River Adventures
Whanganui River Adventures
5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Mihi nui kia a koutou katoa, Whanganui River Adventures(No Pipiriki)is the only locally owned Jetboat, Canoe and multi adventure and accommodation business based in Pipiriki.We specialise in personalised all round service promoting our local history and stories that we grew up with and what has been passed down to us by our kaumatua and kuia (ancestors, grandparents) and our whanau(families)who still reside on the awa (river)to this date. Our tours are Scenic involving scenic and historic site stops by Jetboat or Canoe/Kayak or MTB ensuring you with a safe journey to your destination from the beginning and return back. You will be greeted with a warm and cheery smile by either ourselves (Ken & Josephine) or one of our local staff before starting your tour on the Whanganui River or one of our local tracks in the area. Or you may be just calling in to our office for a friendly chat and information on our local area or just to have a hot drink and something to eat before your drive out of Pipiriki. We welcome anyone from NZders to our International Visitors from all over the world. Nau mai, Haere mai!!
Pipiriki, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
275 reviews
Excellent
260
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
3
ClementML35
33 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Thank you Brandon for the tour, you made it even more perfect ! We chose the 45 minutes tour which in fact lasted a bit more than 1h.
We were lucky as we were only 4 people on the way up, and just us on the way back, so like a private tour. We had the chance to go a little further as well cause the other couple were doing a different tour.
But beside that, the tour was also great because of the guide which looked like to really enjoy his job and was really professional, friendly and reassuring with the customers.
I ve done the 7 days canoë river ride before, from Taumarunui to Whanganui and I can confirm that the 45 minutes tour will give you some of the best views from the Whanganui River (big gorge and narrow part) with really cool rapids.
The guide asked us if we wanted to spin, so we did it several times! Really cool for those who want to make the ride spicier.
Brandon took time as well to explain the history behind the river and the people who used to use it in the past. Really interesting!
So for the people who do not have time or can not/do not want to do the Canoë/kayak, it s a really good value.
The road the Pipiriki is a bit narrow but nice, and completely paved.
Free coffee, tea or hot chocolate at the beginning and at the end. Flush toilets. Campsite available.
The place looks really new and modern, and the jetboat as well.
All the employees were nice !
We were lucky as we were only 4 people on the way up, and just us on the way back, so like a private tour. We had the chance to go a little further as well cause the other couple were doing a different tour.
But beside that, the tour was also great because of the guide which looked like to really enjoy his job and was really professional, friendly and reassuring with the customers.
I ve done the 7 days canoë river ride before, from Taumarunui to Whanganui and I can confirm that the 45 minutes tour will give you some of the best views from the Whanganui River (big gorge and narrow part) with really cool rapids.
The guide asked us if we wanted to spin, so we did it several times! Really cool for those who want to make the ride spicier.
Brandon took time as well to explain the history behind the river and the people who used to use it in the past. Really interesting!
So for the people who do not have time or can not/do not want to do the Canoë/kayak, it s a really good value.
The road the Pipiriki is a bit narrow but nice, and completely paved.
Free coffee, tea or hot chocolate at the beginning and at the end. Flush toilets. Campsite available.
The place looks really new and modern, and the jetboat as well.
All the employees were nice !
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy d
4 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I did the bridge to nowhere tour from Pipiriki. Initially I thought it was a bit pricey but it was well worth the money. Brenden our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the local history and geography of the area. He was a very competent skipper and whilst it was an exciting ride we felt safe with him. He made the day extremely enjoyable.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan K
Perth, Australia62 contributions
Jan 2020
We (2 families) did the jet boat and walk to the bridge to nowhere with the canoe back (you can do the tour without the jetboat) and it was simply the best. Not only was the scenary out of this world, the jetboat super fun, the bridge to nowhere interesting, canoeing down rapids was thrilling but Thomas our guide really made it. While ALL the staff we interacted with were great and all the staff looking super friendly as well Thomas was even better ,he was super knowelagble,more than happy to answer all of our many and complex questions, was super nice friendly and helpful, we all felt safe with him at all times but most of all he has such a humourous character that made us all crack up and also put a smile on our faces which was just so great. Highly Recomend this!!!!!!
kia ora koe i taku hoa
kia ora koe i taku hoa
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora Morgan
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the awesome feedback we get back from our customers. We are very pleased that you had an enjoyable tour and that Thomas made your trip an exciting one for you. Thank you.
Kind Regards
Josephine & Ken Haworth and the Team at Whanganui River Adventures
Written 6 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greg P
Christchurch, New Zealand1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
Thanks to Melanie at isite Ohakune for convincing me to include the Kayak you were right, it was amazing. And thanks to Brendon our guide, your handling and care of all onboard the jetboat trip gave us great confidence in your ability. We really enjoyed your story telling and the whit that went along with it, great sense of humor. Thanks for making it a memorable day. Michelle & Greg Kirwee.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne MACKINTOSH
12 contributions
Apr 2022
It was all utterly amazing from booking right through to the trip and the return. The service was second to none with friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful staff who made us feel very welcome.
Tom was our jet boat pilot and his care was exemplary. We were a small group of women in our mid to late 60’s having yet another adventure and he was not only fun but also very considerate in ensuring we were safe and comfortable. His local knowledge was vast; his Whanau having lived and farmed in the area for 6 generations.
A preliminary experience I will never forget.
Tom was our jet boat pilot and his care was exemplary. We were a small group of women in our mid to late 60’s having yet another adventure and he was not only fun but also very considerate in ensuring we were safe and comfortable. His local knowledge was vast; his Whanau having lived and farmed in the area for 6 generations.
A preliminary experience I will never forget.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiwiTrampers
Taumarunui8 contributions
Jan 2022
A very memorable trip to the Bridge to nowhere. The 2 grandchildren aged 8 and 10 savoured every moment. The jet boat ride, the Whio ducks, the walk to the bridge, the Milo supplied by Ken and the high light of the day, the 360 degree spins. Well worth the money. Ken was was a knowledgeable tour guide having lived in the area most of his life.
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nzcowlady
Auckland112 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I booked last minute on this trip and am very grateful I could be accommodated due to a weather cancellation. The jet boat was safe and well organised and a great ride up the river.
Our driver, Ken, joked the timing was give or take based on traffic and we chortled. Until we kept slowing down to allow the myriad of canoes and kayaks travelling down river to pass us safely. And allow Ken to point out areas of the river’s history as a main highway.
The walk to the Bridge to Nowhere is an easy and lovely stroll through the regenerated bush. Ken’s history of the area was fascinating. And the icing on the cake was tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits that he had hiked with so we got to enjoy a cuppa on the bridge after lunch.
Highly recommended, especially when you have the privilege of travelling with part of the family who have been in the area for generations.
Our driver, Ken, joked the timing was give or take based on traffic and we chortled. Until we kept slowing down to allow the myriad of canoes and kayaks travelling down river to pass us safely. And allow Ken to point out areas of the river’s history as a main highway.
The walk to the Bridge to Nowhere is an easy and lovely stroll through the regenerated bush. Ken’s history of the area was fascinating. And the icing on the cake was tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits that he had hiked with so we got to enjoy a cuppa on the bridge after lunch.
Highly recommended, especially when you have the privilege of travelling with part of the family who have been in the area for generations.
Written 5 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DMW
56 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We really enjoyed this tour. The scenery on the boat ride to the start of the hike was amazing. The hike was very pretty, and the destination , the bridge, was in a beautiful setting. Our guide Ken was great, and he had to pick up some unexpected passengers (bikers with gears), campers with gear, and managed to fit everyone and everything into the boat.
TIP: when driving to or from the tour company, take the Whanganui River road for some spectacular scenery.
TIP: when driving to or from the tour company, take the Whanganui River road for some spectacular scenery.
Written 30 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Companion787289
4 contributions
Jan 2022
The jetboat ride up a very calm river in the morning was superb. Plenty of stops and information about aspects of the river and it was so very beautiful with amazing reflections. Also, easy to get on and off the boat, even for an unco-ordinated person such as me. Good walk to the Bridge to Nowhere through lovely bush. An easy track, though I was a bit slower than the 40 minute timing, but that did not seem to matter. Good spot for lunch with seating (helpful if you find it hard sitting on the ground). The jetboat coming back was more of a thrill, bouncing through rapids and with some 360 degree spins. That is not something I have ever sought to do but it was fun (I think!). However, we weren't told about that until on the boat itself and that could have been an issue for people with back or neck problems. Good parking at Pipiriki and good facilities there (toilets, inside and outside seating, can get a cuppa and some food, etc). There is also a campground with cabins if you want to stay before/after. Great staff, helpful, friendly and patient, knowledgeable and informative. All in all, an excellent day out.
Written 26 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen B
Auckland, New Zealand207 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Bridge to Nowhere jet boat trip is a fantastic day out. Whole team was welcoming and great to share the river with local operators who have grown up on the river. Boat ride takes in spectacular views with local stories and history. Great easy bush walk to the bridge where more stories and history is shared. Picked up some local farmers on the way home - adding to the authortenticity - was a bucket list trip for us and delivered 100% - thanks Thomas and the team
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is it practical to travel from Auckland, take a day tour of the river via jet boat and kayak then head back to Auckland for the night?
Written 12 October 2017
Nope. It's a 5 hour drive. Trust me, you'll want to relax after doing the tour and kayak so suggest staying the night at the cottage or Ohakune is 30 min away if you prefer to be in near restaurants. Beautiful drive from Auckland - suggested route highways 1, 39, 3 and 4.Good luck.
Written 15 October 2017
How do you get to Pipiriki? And back after the jet boat ride?
Written 17 August 2017
Allow 1.5 hrs drive along the Scenic Whanganui River Road to Pipiriki. Allow 45 mins from Ohakune passing through Raetihi to Pipiriki.
Written 15 October 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.