Canoe or jet boat to the Bridge to Nowhere

In 1917 one of the most remote valleys of the Upper Whanganui River was hastily opened by the Government for settlement by returned Serviceman from the 1914 – 18 World War.  Nearly forty of these men fought dense native bush, landslips and almost complete isolation to establish farms.

One by one the settlers realised they were battling with nature and by 1942 the last two men and their families were forced off the land they had worked so hard to tame, but not before an impressive concrete bridge was built across the Mangapurua Gorge.

The ‘valley of abandoned dreams’ has since reverted back to native bush but what is now known as the Bridge to Nowhere stands to remind us of the hardship faced by those soldiers.

Snowy Waters Lodge is located 27kms from Pipiriki which is the starting point for the one day Bridge to Nowhere jet boat trip and also the last stop for the three day Whanganui River canoe trip.

Half day Bridge to Nowhere (4.5 hours)

• Return guided jet boat journey through spectacular native bush-clad gorges learning the history of the awa (river)
• 40 minute walk from the Mangapurua Landing to the Bridge to Nowhere stopping at historic building sites

Departs from Pipiriki daily at 10.30am (Sept – May)
$120 adult  $60 child

1 day Bridge to Nowhere (7 hours)

• Guided 32km jetboat journey through spectacular native bush-clad gorges learning the history of the awa (river)
• 40 minute walk from the Mangapurua Landing to the Bridge to Nowhere stopping at historic building sites
• 10km canoe trip back down the Whanganui River to Pipiriki taking in rapids, waterfalls and native birdlife

Departs from Pipiriki daily at 10.30am (Sept – Apr)
$140 adult  $70 child

We recommend Whanganui River Adventures, Bridge to Nowhere Jet Boat Tours and Spirit of the River for the above one day tours.

4 night 3 Day Whanganui River

The Whanganui River was once the main route into farming settlements such as the Mangapurua valley. Riverboats had to battle through 239 rapids on the 144 mile journey from Wanganui to Taumarunui. Following the great depression the riverboats ceased operating and almost all of the settlers walked off the land, leaving their abandoned farms to regenerate into native bush.

Today it is possible to follow their journey but in the peaceful hands of a canoe and qualified guide. Visit Kirikiriroa, one of many old Maori village sites, Tarepokiore, “the whirpool”, Tamatea Cave, John Coull hut, Otumangu Landing, the Bridge to Nowhere, the “Drop Scene” and Puraroto Caves on the way to historic Pipiriki.

• Complimentary 3 day carparking at Snowy Waters Lodge
• 1 nights accommodation at Blue Duck Station
• 2 nights accommodation at DoC huts
• 1 nights accommodation at Snowy Waters Lodge
• 3 day canoe hire courtesy of Wades Landing and transport from Snowy Waters Lodge to Blue Duck Station and from Pipiriki back to Snowy Waters Lodge

Guided $755 per person  Unguided $425 per person