River Cruises on the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers
Located in the beautiful park grounds of the Paeroa Historical Maritime Park, you can enjoy a scenic and unique river cruise along the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers. Relax and experience a tranquil river journey that will transport you back in time while you listen to the rich history and stories from the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers which include:
- Long before Europeans came to these shores, the Waihou River was used extensively by Māori who paddled their canoes for long distances.
- Captain Cook and his crew entered the estuary in 1769.
- Paddle steamers transported gold-seekers prior to and during the “Ōhinemuri Rush” in 1875.
- The first Lemon and Paeroa spring was discovered to create the ‘World Famous in New Zealand L&P’ drink.
- Enjoy Birdlife spotting
| Name: | Tamati |
| Type: | Wooden Paddle Boat |
| Seats: | 12-14 people |
| Minimum booking 6 adults or book the boat | |
| Journey: | Ohinemuri and Waihou rivers (approx. 1 hour) |
| Price: | $60.00 per adult (15+) $30.00 per child (3-14) |
| Includes: | Access to the Historical Maritime Park & Museum |
| Weather: | Outdoor seating with some indoor seating – suits fine weather best |
| Name: | Kiteawa |
| Type: | Pontoon Vessel |
| Seats: | 14-15 people |
| Minimum booking 6 adults or book the boat | |
| Journey: | Ohinemuri and Waihou rivers to Paeroa one way or return (approx. 1.5 hours) |
| Price: | $45.00 per adult (15+) $25.00 per child (3-14) |
| Includes: | Access to the Historical Maritime Park & Museum |
| Provides: | Disabled access and wheelchair friendly |
| Weather: | Covered weather – suits most weather conditions |
| Name: | Ariana |
| Type: | Wooden Vessel |
| Seats: | 14-15 people |
| Minimum booking 6 adults or book the boat | |
| Journey: | Ohinemuri and Waihou river – Gold Discovery trip (approx 1 hour) or Paeroa return (approx. 1 ¾ hours) |
| Price: | $55.00 per adult (15+) $25 per child (3-14) |
| Includes: | Access to the Historical Maritime Park & Museum |
| Weather: | Covered seating – suits most weather conditions |
| Access: | Access can be difficult for people with mobility concerns or disabilities – Kiteawa may be better suited. We are happy to discuss this with you. |
River Cruise Schedule for June and July 2023
River cruises are subject to the tide so please refer to the scheduled cruising dates and times.
Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
Special Occasion River Cruise
River cruises for tour bus groups, weddings, private functions, birthday parties, photo shoots, sunset cruises or other special occasions can be arranged to suit your requirements and the tide. We welcome your enquiry.
Contact
For future bookings, please email events@historicalmaritimepark.co.nz or phone 027 410 7977
For same day bookings, please email: hmp@outlook.co.nz or phone 07 862 7121
What’s included:
- Each river cruise has an experienced skipper and guide
- A bottle of the ‘World Famous in New Zealand Lemon & Paeroa’
- Rich history commentary and fun facts
- Covered and outdoor seating* – subject to vessel booked
- Suits all ages – children must be supervised
- Disabled and wheelchair access is available on the Kiteawa vessel – please contact us with the wheelchair dimensions ahead of the river cruise
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to arrive prior to the river cruise departure time?
Yes, please arrive 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled river cruise time so that you can check-in and use the bathrooms if required.
The Maritime Museum and Park are open from 10.00am – 3.00pm and are enjoyable to visit and wander through. For morning cruises allow time after your trip and afternoon cruises plan prior to departure of the trip.
Do river cruises operate all year round?
Scheduled river cruises operate all year with the exception of duck shooting season in May. Please refer to the river cruise schedule.
River cruises for tour bus groups, weddings, private functions, birthday parties, photo shoots, sunset cruises or other special occasions can be arranged by enquiry.
For future bookings, please email events@historicalmaritimepark.co.nz or phone 027 410 7977
For same day bookings, please email: hmp@outlook.co.nz or phone 07 862 7121
Is there a minimum number of people required for the river cruise to depart?
Scheduled river cruises will require a minimum of 6 people*. If there is not a minimum of 6 people booked, where possible, guests will be offered to take another river cruise on the same day or another day. If taking another river cruise is not an option, guests will have the opportunity to reschedule or a full refund.
*The minimum number of 6 people may be made up from multiple group bookings.
Is it possible to shorten the return journey and go one way to/from Paeroa
For group bookings, the journey can be tailored to suit or there is a one-way option from the Maritime Park to Paeroa (approximately 55 minutes) or from Paeroa (approximately 45 minutes – it can be quicker on the return) – timings are subject to the vessel you are taking. The prices remain the same as the vessels still need to return to their moored sites at the Historical Maritime Park.
Will the river cruise depart in all weather conditions?
River cruises will depart as scheduled unless there is severe weather. River cruise guests will be contacted beforehand (where possible) and offered the opportunity to reschedule or a full refund.
The Tamati is not an all-weather purpose vessel and in the event of rain, where possible, guests will be offered to take a Kiteawa or Ariana cruise. If taking another cruise is not an option, guests will have the opportunity to reschedule or a full refund.
Are there toilets on board the vessels?
Parking
Please contact Historical Maritime Park before your river cruise if you require assistance to get from the car to the vessel.
Are the river cruises suitable for all ages?
The Kiteawa cruise provides for disabled and wheelchair access. If guests are using a wheelchair, please contact Historical Maritime Park before the river cruise with the wheelchair dimensions.
Are there life jackets on board?
Do I need to book in advance?
For future bookings, please email events@historicalmaritimepark.co.nz or phone 027 410 7977
For same day bookings, please email: hmp@outlook.co.nz or phone 07 862 7121
Just a reminder that river cruises are subject to the tide and availability and may not be operating on the day you wish to take a river cruise, so it is recommended to check first and book early.
River Cruise Schedules
To book a scheduled river cruise from the below timetable or enquire about a river cruise for a special occasion, please:
email events@historicalmaritimepark.co.nz or phone 027 410 7977 for future bookings/enquiries.
email: hmp@outlook.co.nz or phone 07 862 7121 for same day bookings/enquiries.
Bookings in advance are recommended.
Times are a guide as these may vary dependent on tide and weather. Departure times are confirmed at time of booking.
Should changes to the schedule be required confirmed bookings will be notified of any schedule changes.
Pre-departure Check-In no later than 15 minutes prior to departure time.
| Date | Day | Departure Time |
|---|
Please make an enquiry if you would like to take a river cruise on a date / time not advertised – we will do our best to accommodate you.
Please note timings may change based on tidal, weather conditions, season and availability.
Booked customers will be contacted and notified of any changes to the schedule.
History of the Vessels
We look forward to hosting you on a river cruise soon.
Tamati
Tamati was built 1902 by Bailey & Lowe in Auckland. From 1900 onward, Bailey & Lowe were one of the preeminent motor launch builders supplying launches to all parts of the country. Tamati is 32 feet and has a kauri planked hull with hardwood (Jarrah) ribs. She was used as a private boat for many years then in the mid 1930s she was owned by a family from the Spa Hotel in Taupo and was used as part of their tourist business. Guests could enjoy fishing and sightseeing excursions as part of their visit. During the war she was tied up and seldom used. After the war she was bought by a family who used her as a private boat for many years and with various owners from the 1950s through to the 1980s. In private ownership Tamati had her cabin raised twice. She looked a lot different to the time when she was well known to the Spa’s guests in the 1930s. In 1998 she was in need of a lot of tender care and was purchased by Dave Hindman of Hokitikia who, with loving care, completely restored the hull and rebuilt her into the paddle vessel as seen today. Dave relaunched her in 2001 and operated Tamati on Lake Ianthe at Hari Hari as a tourist venture for many years and on sold her to present owners Colin and Gloria James who operate Tamati from Historical Maritime Park in Paeroa.
Kiteawa
Berthed at the HIstorical Maritime Park Kiteawa cruises on the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers.
The pontoon vessel Kiteawa was built in the USA in 2004. These pontoon vessels are used on the central lakes in America. Kiteawa has a 4-stroke, ninety h.p. outboard motor. She has a length of 7.39 metres and a beam of 2.4 metres. Kiteawa is surveyed to carry 14 passengers.
Maritime Park purchase this vessel from Percy Ginders who retired after doing river cruises on the Ngunguru River, Whangerai.
Ariana
Berthed at the HIstorical Maritime Park Ariana cruises on the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers. Ariana is surveyed to carry 16 passengers.
Ariana has a length ,of 9.90 metres (34′) and a beam of 2.4 metres.
Ariana was built in 1923 by Lane Brothers of Judges Bay and was used as a pleasure boat and at the end of the 1940s fell on hard times. Eventually she was sold and refurbished as a long-liner fishing boat. With a 2 tonne capacity fishhold Ariana worked the seas for 30 years. Unfortunately, whilst at anchor on her mooring on the Weiti River she was holed and sunk. John Lidgard gave her a new lease on life redesigned as a 1900s ferry boat for the Waihou River. Her design was based on the Northern Steamship Company’s “Little George” which carried passengers around the Coromandel from the 1880s to the 1920s.
Peter Vandersloot brought her to the Historical Maritime Park where she has been doing river cruises.
Historical Maritime Park and Museum, Inc.
Phone
07 862 7121 – Maritime Museum and Park
027 410 7977 – River Cruises, Weddings & Events
021 035 3882 – Self-Contained Campers (after hours)
hmp@outlook.co.nz – Museum & Park
Location
6894 State Highway 2
Paeroa
New Zealand
