Bridge to Nowhere (Jet Boat & Canoe Tour)
Departing from Pipiriki your day starts with a Kia Ora and a smile as we welcome you aboard our purpose-built jetboat. We 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 us are spectacular. Arriving at Mangapurua Landing, we have a leisurely 40 minute walk into the "Valley of Abandoned Dreams", on to "the Bridge to Nowhere", where we 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.
After returning to the Mangapurua Landing, we will boat a further 8kms up the Whanganui River, into "The Gorges" where the river is narrower and shallower, and the gorges higher. There are future reminders of earlier settlements along the way. We stop at a secluded picnic area. Relax around the table while you enjoy your lunch. We will provide a cold drink to wet your whistle. There are toilets and water avaliable at this site.
On our way home we will have a few more stops, including areas where scenes from the movie "River Queen", were filmed in 2004. River Queen was produced by New Zealander Vincent Ward and starred Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis, along with Kiefer Sutherland and Samantha Morton.
History of the Bridge to Nowhere
The Bridge to Nowhere is a memorial to men, women and children of the
Mangapurua 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 the
Whanganui 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.
