If you plan on continuing to the Whanganui River section of the TA you will need to book your canoe hire or alternatively jet boat ride BEFORE LEAVING Taumarunui. I booked with Taumarunui Canoe Hire & Jet Boat Tours and found them fantastic in their guidance and flexibility working with both TA hikers and the general public.

The team will pick you (and your groceries for the Whanganui) up from town and shuttle you to their property to camp the night with other hikers. From here you can lock in your chosen dates and distance you would like to paddle as well as be linked up with a canoeing buddy if you don’t already have one. The team will provide you with a water tight barrel to store your food for the journey which you will label and then receive at the start of your journey with your canoe drop off. After camping the night you will attend a general river and canoeing safety briefing then be driven back out to the trail to continue hiking.

Five days on the river (including canoe hire, drop off and pick up, safety briefing ect) cost around $250 but please check current prices.

Note: canoes will NOT be hired to solo paddlers as this is a safety concern. If you are part of a larger group it may be possible to hire a kayak and have your group take your food and gear barrels OR you can alternatively be paired with another solo hiker.