Unique Whanganui River Experience
Unique Whanganui River Experience
Unique Whanganui River Experience
4.5
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About
Unique Whanganui River Experiences offers unique educational and immersive one and multi-day experiences on the Whanganui River. The fully hosted, Māori experiences are guided by trained Awa navigators. Spend up to 16 hours traversing the beautiful Awa in a canoe, while learning about the rich history, kai, and kōrero. Visit the website or call us to learn more.
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Unique Whanganui River Experience
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4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
lizmacphers0n
Christchurch, New Zealand3 contributions
Jan 2023 • Business
Our group had the most incredible, fun experience on the river with Hayden’s team. They looked after our every need, kept us safe across a range of experience levels, and shared their extensive and valuable knowledge of the Awa. Food was delicious and catered to a range of dietary needs. We came as strangers and left as friends. It’s a very important choice as to who to go with down the river and not all providers are the same. With Unique Whanganui you get the authentic experience, which brings you inside the river and its people. 100% recommend and can’t wait to go back!
Written 22 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.
daryleliza59
Northampton, UK25 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had an amazing time on the river, with great scenery and vistas. This is not for the faint hearted- 90km of river to paddle in 3 days requires staying power. Having the cultural guide was a definite plus as he was able to tell us about the land, the legends and instruction for the rapids. Visiting a Maori Marae and experiencing a welcome ceremony helped us understand the culture.
I would advise anyone booking to send the exact requirements for the numbers of tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows and any dietary restrictions in one single email to avoid communication confusion.
I would advise anyone booking to send the exact requirements for the numbers of tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows and any dietary restrictions in one single email to avoid communication confusion.
Written 27 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.
Emily-Rose
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Family
We cannot recommend Unique Whanganui tours enough!! Hone was our lead Awa navigator and we had 3 days of laughter, kōrero and kai together, in an unforgettable experience.
The good: Awa history, conquering the rapids, feeling safe and blessed at every turn, making great friends, seeing glow worms and fossils and learning heaps
The bad: having to leave
The ugly: that wipeout recovery “where’s your pants?!!”
Go with Unique, don’t think twice. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou - Hayden, Marama and the team. We miss you already Hone, Grace and Trish!!
Nā mātou noa nā Em, Jo and Nick xxx
The good: Awa history, conquering the rapids, feeling safe and blessed at every turn, making great friends, seeing glow worms and fossils and learning heaps
The bad: having to leave
The ugly: that wipeout recovery “where’s your pants?!!”
Go with Unique, don’t think twice. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou - Hayden, Marama and the team. We miss you already Hone, Grace and Trish!!
Nā mātou noa nā Em, Jo and Nick xxx
Written 12 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.
Steve H
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand10 contributions
Jan 2022
There's so much depth, texture and colour that comes from having a Maori guide such as Hayden on this trip. Beside knowing the right paths and techniques for navigating the rapids they also bring the landscape to life with their stories, history and knowledge. Their passion and connection with the river makes it so much more than 3 days drifting downstream in a boat.
Just finished the three day trip with my wife. Our heads are still swimming with experience.
Did you know that the best leaves for kawakawa tea are the ones with the bug holes in them ..because the bugs find the sweetest leaves ? or about the tears that form the river? Or why the river has the legal status of a person in NZ?
We can't recommend these guys enough for what they share and bring to their guiding.
...and the kai was great too !
Just finished the three day trip with my wife. Our heads are still swimming with experience.
Did you know that the best leaves for kawakawa tea are the ones with the bug holes in them ..because the bugs find the sweetest leaves ? or about the tears that form the river? Or why the river has the legal status of a person in NZ?
We can't recommend these guys enough for what they share and bring to their guiding.
...and the kai was great too !
Written 3 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.
Cathie
6 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Deifintely a ‘Unique’ trip. As a group of friends we had a lot of fun however they forgot to bring tents and mattresses for our first night. This could have been disastrous as it was raining and the hut was full. Luckily the hut warden and another couple of people conjured up a few tents, but with little to sleep on and squashed in there was not much sleep. Next morning the river was in flood so we definitely appreciated having guides on the river. The food was good. The canoes were pretty battered by the end of the season and in need of a few repairs… which apparently gets done in the off season.
Written 21 April 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.
Grace W
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Went with 5 girlfriends...wow what an amazing experience. Thank you to our amazing guides Hone and Hayden. Their knowledge of the Awa & Whenua made our 3 days unforgettable. If you need time out and want to get back to nature this is well worth doing. Highly recommend this company. Lots of great food, warmth, and laughter. Thank you all so so much 😊❤
Written 9 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.
Hazel Hewlett
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
Went here on a school trip and I had a lot of fun. I loved going down the river and the teamwork skills that I learned. I enjoyed meeting new people, making new friends, learning new skills, and being a part of Māori culture. I was on a boat with Rue as my instructor. (She was definitely the best)
Written 15 March 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.
Amelie B
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
I loved going on the whanganui river we went in a large group for my school camp and it was super fun! The guides were super helpful (especially Rue she is the best guide) and the river was amazing (from amelie)
Written 15 March 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.
wellsynz
Christchurch18 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
I've worked in outdoor tourism for years so I know a good operator when I see one and these guys are. But what makes this experience so special is the real connection Hayden and his family have to this area. This would be the most genuine Maori cultural experience I've ever seen anywhere in New Zealand. Throw in some awesome scenery and a special meal and it's one of the best weekends away I've ever had. (We did the overnight trip with Hayden and Monique from Hiakai). Highly recommended but get in quick cos it will book out. Thanks!
Written 28 February 2018
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.
Sholto D
4 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Just arrived from Australia and did a 4-day trip with Jamie and a great crowd I had never met before.
Stunning scenery all the way, good food (Jamie cooks better on a camp fire than I do in my kitchen) and a jovial crowd made in a very enjoyable adventure (not all adventures are...)
Jamie was always chirpy and a great organiser. He has extensive knowledge of the river, its history and its wildlife. He made it all work so well.
I would suggest Australians come after mid-December. Before that the weather can be temperamental.
Stunning scenery all the way, good food (Jamie cooks better on a camp fire than I do in my kitchen) and a jovial crowd made in a very enjoyable adventure (not all adventures are...)
Jamie was always chirpy and a great organiser. He has extensive knowledge of the river, its history and its wildlife. He made it all work so well.
I would suggest Australians come after mid-December. Before that the weather can be temperamental.
Written 23 November 2016
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.
No questions have been asked about this experience