The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune
A narrow river road of about 79 km to Pipiriki, then on to the mountain at Ōhakune.
- Distance
- 167 km (104 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 49 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 9, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 167 km (104 mi) with 9 stops, from Whanganui to Giant Carrot, Ōhakune. About 1 h 49 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Start in Whanganui, where the Durie Hill Elevator and the regional museum fill a morning. Fill up with fuel and supplies before you leave the city, because the road north has few services. The Whanganui River Road follows the river for about 79 km to Pipiriki and takes around two hours of driving without stops. It is sealed in places but narrow and winding, and has many corners.
The road passes small Māori settlements, marae and farms, so drive slowly and respect private land. At Hiruharama (Jerusalem) there is a church and convent with a quiet riverside walk. Large vehicles and campervans will find the road slow, and there are few places to turn around. Mobile coverage is patchy along the river, so download maps and tell someone your plan before leaving Whanganui.
Pipiriki has a DOC campsite and is the base for jetboat and canoe trips on the river. Book transport in advance for the Bridge to Nowhere, as a jetboat run is followed by a 40 minute walk. The trip is weather-dependent. River levels can change after rain, and operators will advise on conditions. Pipiriki has very limited supplies, so bring food and water with you.
From Pipiriki, a sealed road of about 27 km climbs to Raetihi, then it is 11 km on to Ōhakune on SH4. There you can fuel up and visit the Waitonga Falls walk and the carrot. Allow a full day for this drive, because of the distance and the number of stops. The road is best avoided in heavy rain, when slips are possible.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Whanganui
New Zealand - 21 km
Durie Hill Elevator and Memorial Tower
OdditiesWhanganui, New ZealandAn underground tunnel and elevator, built in 1919, that lifts passengers from the riverbank to Durie Hill. A tower at the top gives views over the city and out to the coast. The elevator has a small fee. Check opening hours before you go.
- 31 km
Whanganui Regional Museum
HistoryWhanganui, New ZealandA regional museum in Whanganui with a strong collection of Māori taonga, natural history and displays on the river. It includes a large display of the Whanganui River communities. Entry is by donation. It is in the central city, with street parking nearby.
- 453 km
Jerusalem (Hiruharama)
HistoryWhanganui, New ZealandA small settlement on the Whanganui River Road with a Catholic church and convent set up in the 1880s, and later home to poet James K. Baxter. It is a quiet stop with a short walk to the river. Respect the site, as it remains a place of worship.
- 511 km
Pipiriki Camping Ground
NatureŌhakune, New ZealandA campsite beside the Whanganui River at the northern end of the Whanganui River Road, a base for jetboat trips and canoe trips into the national park. Facilities are basic. Check fees and any booking requirement with the operator, and bring drinking water.
- 626 km
Bridge to Nowhere
HistoryŌhakune, New ZealandA concrete bridge built in 1936 for farm settlers in the remote Mangapurua valley, abandoned when the farms failed. It is reached by a jetboat from Pipiriki followed by a 40 minute walk, or on a canoe or kayak trip. Book transport in advance and check river conditions.
- 743 km
Ōhakune
New Zealand - 816 km
Waitonga Falls Track
NatureŌhakune, New ZealandAn easy track of about 40 minutes each way from the Ōhakune Mountain Road through bog and alpine forest to the tallest waterfall in the park at about 39 metres. It crosses boardwalks and a bridge. Wear sturdy shoes, as the surface stays damp for much of the year.
- 916 km
Giant Carrot, Ōhakune
OdditiesŌhakune, New ZealandA giant fibreglass carrot beside the main road, a nod to the market gardens on the volcanic soils around Ōhakune. It makes a quick photo stop on the way to the mountain. Parking is on the roadside beside it, and the town cafes are a short walk away.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Whanganui → Jerusalem (Hiruharama) · 55 km · 0 h 36 minOn the way: Durie Hill Elevator and Memorial Tower, Whanganui Regional Museum.
- Day 2: Jerusalem (Hiruharama) → Bridge to Nowhere · 37 km · 0 h 24 minOn the way: Pipiriki Camping Ground.
- Day 3: Bridge to Nowhere → Giant Carrot, Ōhakune · 75 km · 0 h 49 minOn the way: Ōhakune, Waitonga Falls Track.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, June, September and December. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune?
3-day road trip of about 167 km (104 mi) with 9 stops, from Whanganui to Giant Carrot, Ōhakune. About 1 h 49 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 49 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune start and end?
It starts in Whanganui and ends in Giant Carrot, Ōhakune.
Which states does The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune?
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, June, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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