Bridge to Nowhere, Heritage footbridge in Whanganui National Park, New Zealand

Bridge to Nowhere is a concrete road bridge spanning the Mangapurua Stream in Whanganui National Park. It is 130 feet long and 125 feet above the stream, with a deck about 3 metres wide. A single broad arch rises from the gorge to support the deck, and a low stone parapet with vertical balusters runs along both sides.

The bridge was constructed in 1936 to provide access to land parcels granted to soldiers returning from World War I. However, farming operations ceased by 1942 when settlers found the isolated conditions and difficult terrain unsustainable for permanent settlement.

The name Mangapūrua is translated by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage as "abundant stream". A stone on the bridge carries an inscription recounting its construction, and the deck is now walked by trampers and mountain bikers. Old fence lines, stands of exotic trees and occasional brick chimneys remain in the bush around it.

Visitors can reach this crossing on foot through a walking track from Mangapurua Landing, which requires jet boat transport to access from the main highway. The forest path is well-marked and takes several hours depending on pace and fitness level.

The structure stands in complete isolation with no connecting roads on either side, as efforts to permanently settle the surrounding land ultimately failed. This remoteness makes the spot a puzzling remnant of an unrealized settlement.