Located in Whanganui National Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region
3 km return via same track
Jetboat transport is required to access the beginning of the 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.
This large concrete bridge is an icon within the Whanganui National Park and a major visitor destination.
It was constructed in the mid-1930s to provide road access to 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.
| 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.