Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region
3 km return via same track
From the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River, follow the Mangapurua Stream to an abandoned bridge.
There are two ways to access the bridge site, either by a gentle 40 minute walk from the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River (boat transport required up the river) or by the Mangapurua Track, accessible from either Whakahoro or Ruatiti road end.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
This large concrete bridge is an icon within the Whanganui National Park and a major visitor destination.
The bridge was constructed in the mid-1930s to provide road access to the lower and middle valley farms known as the Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement.
By the time it was completed these areas of the Mangapurua Valley were deserted, the bridge rarely used and the construction of the road to the Whanganui River abandoned.
The 'Bridge to Nowhere' is the largest and most intact structure relating to the former Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement and has an Historic Places Trust Category I listing.
| Whanganui Office | |
| Phone: | +64 6 349 2100 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | whanganui@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
34-36 Taupo Quay Whanganui 4500 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 3016 Whanganui 4540 |
| Full office details | |
Forces of nature defeated servicemen returned from World War One. This simple concrete bridge symbolises a failed attempt at back country pioneering by a community of returned World War 1 servicemen and their families.
The Bridge to Nowhere, in the middle of native bush on the Wanganui River, is not where you would expect to find an industrial historic bridge. Find out what it’s doing there in this episode.