BRIDGE TO NOWHERE - JET BOAT & CANOE TOUR
Departing from Pipiriki your day starts with a 'Kia Ora' as you are welcomed aboard a purpose-built jetboat. You stop many times along the way to learn the history of the Awa (river), of the old Marae, and ferries that once planed this stretch of the river. The scenery is second to none, and the gorges that rise above you are spectacular. Arriving at Mangapurua Landing, you have a leisurely 40 minute walk into the"Valley of Abandoned Dreams", and on to "the Bridge to Nowhere" where you will sit and enjoy the scenery and history of the valley and bridge with a cup of tea or coffee and some tasty home baking.
History of the Bridge to Nowhere
The Bridge to Nowhere is a memorial to men, women and children of theMangapurua Valley - New Zealand's hardiest pioneers. Visiting this area known as "The Valley of Abandoned Dreams" will give you an appreciation of the battles and hardships these families endured, in their endeavours to create a farming livelihood in this harsh environment. Opened in 1917 as one of the Governments land settlement schemes for Returned Service men, 35 holdings were eventually developed into farms which were marginal at best. The Bridge to Nowhere was built in 1935, and was intended to be the link between the Central North Island and Taranaki's route to the coast. Ironically enough, the first of the Mangapurua settlers to leave the Valley had adandoned their holdings by the time the Bridge was constructed. This bridge is the unofficial flagship of Whanganui National Park, an iconic symbol for New Zealand adventure tourism and a major visitor destination on theWhanganui Journey. It is still used as a trampers’ bridge at the southern access point to the Mangapurua Valley. It is the largest and most intact structure relating to the former Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement. It has a Historic Places Trust Category I listing and is representative of the ill-fated settlement theme.
