Bridge to Nowhere (New Zealand)

- 39.270833333333174.97222222222Koordinaten: 39 ° 16 ' 15 " S, 174 ° 58' 20" E

The Bridge to Nowhere (German: " Bridge to Nowhere ") is a concrete bridge that spans the Mangapurua Stream, a tributary of the Whanganui River in the Whanganui National Park on the North Island of New Zealand. The bridge was originally created to road bridge, which is why it has a concrete pavement width of approximately 3 meters. However, it leads on both sides to the " Nowhere ". There is no road that uses this bridge in the middle of the jungle of the Whanganui National Park.

The bridge is a popular tourist attraction today. Due to its remote location it is, however, still protected from mass tourism. For the access to the bridge, there are two ways: First, by boat ( jet boat or canoe / kayak) Whanganui upstream drive to the Mangapurua Landing and from there another trail after 40 to 45 minutes to the bridge. Second, the bridge is also accessible via a three-hour hike from the nearest road access here.

The bridge over the deep Mangapurua Gorge ( Gorge Maungapurua ) should support access to any land area that the New Zealand government in 1917 for resettled farmers, former soldiers who had returned from the First World War, created.

Mid-1930s, was built to ensure the farmers a better contact to the next town Taumarunui the bridge. However, at that time had a large proportion of farmers who had reclaimed former jungle here, already retreated from the region. With the convening of many farmers to World War II, the region lost so many workers that the remaining families finally gave up the constant battle against the jungle in the early 1940s and moved to other regions of New Zealand.

A few years later there was nothing left of the former farms, equipment and roads that nature had successfully recaptured the area.

On a stone on the bridge, the history of the bridge is described. The text concludes with the sentence:

" The disappearing road line, old fence lines, stands of exotic trees, occasional brick chimneys, and this bridge serve as reminders of the ill fated settlement of the Mangapurua valley. "

" The vanishing road layout, old fence parts, groups of non-native trees, occasional brick chimneys and this bridge serve as a reminder of the failed settlement of Maungapurua Valley. "

For visitors there is the use of the Whanganui River on the fastest access. From Pipiriki there are vendors that travel with the jet boats about 50 kilometers in less than half an hour. Alternatively you can make a canoe or kayak a boat trip on the Whanganui and go from the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui walk to the bridge ( see also Whanganui Journey ). Excursions to the " Bridge to nowhere - Lodge " offers as overnight accommodation.

Literature / Sources

• Wolfgang C. Ehrnsperger (ed. ): Adventure Travel - Discover and experience New Zealand. 2nd edition. Mairs, Munich 1998, ISBN 3-89525-130-5 (page 77)
• Website of DOC on the history of the bridge ( English)

• Manawatu -Wanganui (Region)
• Bridge in New Zealand
• Arch bridge
• Reinforced concrete bridge
• Road bridge
• Footbridge
• Historic Place Category I
• Built in the 1930s
• Unrealised transport project
• Derelict building traffic