We set off very early to drive to Pipiriki and pick up a jet boat to the bridge to nowhere. Unfortunately, it's a long and winding road to Pipiriki and we arrived about 15 minutes late. No doubt we will end up with another speeding ticket as we raced to get there on time! However, in true Kiwi style, we arrived to 'no worries' from the trip organisers!
The Whanganui River
The Bridge to Nowhere
So, we joined a group of about 10, plus our driver 'Kin', that's 'Ken' to non-Kiwi readers. We travelled about 30km along the beautiful Whanganui river to a path to the bridge. The bridge was built in the 1930s to service newly developed farms high above the river. Unfortunately they were not sustainable due to soil erosion and economics. So the service roads to the bridge ceased to be maintained and it became a bridge to nowhere. The few hardy people who still live in this region have to rely on boats to reach the nearest town.
Enjoyed the jet boat ride back to Pipiriki as Ken performed several wheelies to keep us entertained! We then travelled back to Wanganui via the river road, stopping to look at Jerusalem, a convent and church used by locals as a retreat. It was a lovely day again today. Hope it lasts for South Island next week!
Jerusalem
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