Tour description
Travelling upstream into the middle reaches of the Whanganui River you will feel as if time has stood still. Pristine native bush cloaks the banks and you will see deep gorges covered with ferns, caves, rapids and other unique and amazing scenery.Your guide will share stories of the Awa (Maori for “river”) with you and show you some of the secrets of this historic and cultural icon.

See the world famous Drop Scene, the Dress Circle, Sulphur Springs, and the ancient pegs used by the river boat crew to help them negotiate the treacherous Ngaporo rapids. Along the way you will stop at the Mangaio Gorge and the Manganui-O-Te-Au River, home to the endangered Blue Duck.  Continuing on deeper into this wilderness area you'll arrive at the Mangapurua Landing.

Alighting from your boat take a moment to gaze around you. Down into the deep clear river, up at the steep bush covered banks, hear the sounds and feel the total peace and tranquility as you step back in time. Imagine the Maori paddling proudly round the corner in their waka laden with the spoils of a good days hunting and gathering food.

Look down stream; picture one of Hatricks’ boats chugging up to the landing loaded with supplies for the pioneering families that tried to tame these valleys.  Wide eyed women and children dressed in their finery, coming to a new life.

Walk up the track taking the same steps that they took. Hear the native tui and bellbirds, and catch a glimpse of the woodpigeon.  Continue on through the bush until you arrive at the historic “Bridge to Nowhere” - gateway to the
“Valley of Abandoned Dreams.”

Bring a picnic lunch to have at the Bridge, complimented by the tea/coffee and biscuits supplied by us and enjoy tales from your guide of the historic Mangapurua Valley and its pioneering people. A return walk to the boat and trip back down river to Pipiriki completes this unique experience suitable all ages.

What to bring
Shower (wind proof) jacket
Suitable clothing for the time of year
Sunglasses
Hat
Walking shoes
Picnic lunch

We provide 
Your guide will provide tea, coffee, Milo (hot chocolate), and biscuits which we have at the bridge.

Tours depart Pipiriki daily over winter and twice daily over summer

Vehicle Parking
Parking is available in Pipiriki at our depot; please take all valuables with you.

Lunch at the Lodge!
Get a group (minimum of 10) together and make a day of it!  As an optional part of your Bridge to Nowhere adventure enjoy a delicious lunch at the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge. Stroll around our property, be amused by our animals or just sit on the balcony and watch the river float by.
Lunch option - additional $15.00 – 25.00 per person on top of tour price
 

Bridge to Nowhere Jet Boat Tour
Prices
Adults $ 135.00 pp
Children (14 and under) $ 75

Departing from Pipiriki, our tours to the Bridge to Nowhere run daily. 
Allow 45 minutes from Ohakune to reach Pipiriki. .