With no roads on either side, you don't need to be a genius to decipher this bridge's name. Originally built so that horses could cross the river to Mangapurua Valley farmland that was provided to soldiers after WWI, the soldiers deserted the poor soil in 1942, and the forest soon reclaimed its territory. It's on the Mangapurua Track for hikers and mountain bikers, or it's a 40-minute walk from Mangapurua Landing, upstream from Pipiriki, accessible by jetboat or kayak.
Bridge to Nowhere
Taranaki & Whanganui
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.4 MILES
The town of Whangamomona (population 40) is a highlight. This quirky village declared itself an independent republic in 1989 after disagreements with…
20.33 MILES
Around a corner in the Whanganui River Rd in Jerusalem, the picture-perfect, red-and-mustard spire of St Joseph’s Church stands tall on a spur of land…
25.3 MILES
Maybe not so much 'Don't Miss' as 'Impossible to Miss', this roadside tribute to Ōhakune's biggest crop was erected in 1984. Carrots were first grown in…
25.38 MILES
The Raurimu Spiral, 30km south of town, is a unique feat of railway engineering that was completed in 1908 after 10 years of work. Rail buffs can…
28.39 MILES
Unless there's a function happening, you can wander around Koriniti Marae and the little white-painted Koriniti chapel, between the Whanganui River Rd and…
24.39 MILES
Just off the Whanganui River Rd near Matahiwi is the restored 1854 Kawana Flour Mill and waterwheel – an exercise in optimism. There's historical info, a…
28.72 MILES
An archaeological site just off the Whanganui River Rd: what was once the centre of somewhere is now the middle of nowhere.
Nearby Taranaki & Whanganui attractions
15.4 MILES
The town of Whangamomona (population 40) is a highlight. This quirky village declared itself an independent republic in 1989 after disagreements with…
20.33 MILES
Around a corner in the Whanganui River Rd in Jerusalem, the picture-perfect, red-and-mustard spire of St Joseph’s Church stands tall on a spur of land…
24.39 MILES
Just off the Whanganui River Rd near Matahiwi is the restored 1854 Kawana Flour Mill and waterwheel – an exercise in optimism. There's historical info, a…
25.3 MILES
Maybe not so much 'Don't Miss' as 'Impossible to Miss', this roadside tribute to Ōhakune's biggest crop was erected in 1984. Carrots were first grown in…
25.38 MILES
The Raurimu Spiral, 30km south of town, is a unique feat of railway engineering that was completed in 1908 after 10 years of work. Rail buffs can…
28.39 MILES
Unless there's a function happening, you can wander around Koriniti Marae and the little white-painted Koriniti chapel, between the Whanganui River Rd and…
28.72 MILES
An archaeological site just off the Whanganui River Rd: what was once the centre of somewhere is now the middle of nowhere.