Bridge to Nowhere

This bridge is the unofficial flagship of Whanganui National Park, an iconic symbol for New Zealand adventure tourism and a major visitor destination on the Whanganui Journey. It is still used as a trampers' bridge at the southern access point to the Mangapurua Valley.

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. However by the time it was completed these areas of the Mangapurua Valley were deserted (thus its name); the bridge was rarely used and the construction of the road to the Whanganui River abandoned.

The Bridge to Nowhere can be accessed by a gentle 40 minute walk from the Mangapurua Landing (Whanganui River) or by a two day tramp from Whakahoro Hut (lower Retaruke Valley) via the Kaiwhakauka and Mangapurua Valleys.