Bridge To Nowhere Whanganui
Abandoned bridge in the heart of the National Park
The Bridge To Nowhere is a concrete road bridge spanning the Mangapurua Stream in the Whanganui National Park. It has no roads leading to it, but it is accessible by mountain bike or tramping on a variety of different tracks, or by boat or kayak, followed by a 45-minute (one way) walk along maintained bush trails.
The Bridge To Nowhere is an icon within the Whanganui National Park and a major visitor destination.
A wooden swing bridge was constructed across the Mangapurua Stream in 1919. This connected the isolated valley with the riverboats that brought goods along the Whanganui River. However the settlers had always expected that roading access would be improved – a more solid bridge would be built and that it would form part of a road between Raetihi and Taranaki.
bridge to nowhere

Did You Know?
During World War 1, the government offered land in the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka valleys to returned servicemen as part of a soldier settlement scheme.
Bridge To Nowhere - Somewhere?
Is there something as such?! Explore and let us know!
All time Famous!
The Bridge To Nowhere gets more use now than it did when it was first built.
Still curious?
Check out our range of brochures, itineraries and other info on this and many other things to do in Whanganui! Click here!
Whanganui National Park.
All day long!






