Walkers, cyclists, canoeists use the Whanganui River

Canoeists paddle the upper reaches of the Whanganui River. Photo/ supplied

The Whanganui River is looking stunning and lots of people are out on it, Conservation Department senior communications ranger Susan Osborne says.

"It's the place to be, so serene and beautiful."

It was especially lovely three weeks ago, she said, when rata were out in scarlet flower.

The canoe season started early this year, with a stretch of fine weather from mid November on. Rain inland discoloured the water for a while, but at present it is lowish, clearing and warm.

Conservation Department staff have been out on it regularly, "doing our manaaki thing", Ms Osborne said.

"We want to make sure people that come from afar are looked after well."

There have been some rescues, but nothing too serious.

"It's just people not knowing some of the basic paddling skills."

She encourages people try the two day upper river section between Taumarunui and Ohinepane.

"It's a bit more challenging. You've got to have some skills. But it's absolutely stunning."

People are out on the water in jetboats as well. Whanganui River Adventures, at Pipiriki, has four jetboats and all were out on Thursday, Shineal Hohepa said.

The campground there has been busy, with motorhome owners joining canoeists, cyclists and walkers overnight. It has a shop selling basic foods - which is especially attractive to Te Araroa trail walkers - as well as icecreams and cold drinks.

Both the Mangapurua and the Kaiwhakauka sections of the Mountains to Sea cycleway are being well used, and they entail some river travel as well.

The river will get even busier when the annual Whanganui iwi canoe journey, the Tira Hoe Waka, passes through next month.

There will be about 200 people on the river in it this year, co-ordinator Willy Hutch said. They will start paddling at Taumarunui on January 5 and finish up at Putiki Marae in Whanganui on January 17.

On January 18 there will be a ball at Whanganui's racecourse, to celebrate the journey's 30th year.