Nice journey in jet boat and kayak through the Whanganui River.

We started with a jetboat, then we walk through the forest area and had a coffee break with a bit of history speak and then we returned by kayak. All the visit is guided except the kayaking.

Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

I recently had the opportunity to go up the Wanganui River on the jet boats and stay over night at the Lodge, a fantastic experience with a great bunch of people who are very passionate about the region

.The lodge is a very unique experience with only boat acces, great food and what a treat, thankyou to wonderful couple of days

Reviewed over 9 years ago

My friends and I did the Bridge to nowhere trip on Queens weekend and loved it.

Our driver/guide Ben was a lovely kiwi bloke, friendly and great knowledge of the area. The coffee and biscuits on the bridge were fantastic at lunch time to warm up the hands! Scenery was amazing and highly recommend the trip and canoeing option to anyone. It's a shame we couldn't stay for a cuppa afterwards. Maybe next time:)

Reviewed over 12 years ago

After weeks of eager anticipation for a wonderful trip up the Whanganui river to visit the Bridge to Nowhere, we were totally let down by this company.

The day started badly with the operator (Joe) arriving late and announcing that his main jetboat had broken down that morning! Firstly he attempted to get the trailer to get that boat out of the river, but there were issues with its brakes. Then his eftpos wasn't working! Next, life jackets were thrown at us in a heap and we were left to sort them ourselves. We finally left Pipiriki at about 12 noon (10-30 start time) in a smaller boat - 8 passengers altogether. A good commentary running up-river was spoilt by the smell of leaking fuel. Felt uneasy about that. Further up-river the driver stopped to check on hunters he was due to pick up, and turned off the jetboat motor. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN ! After some time spent trying to fix it and radioing his partner, we were lucky enough to be rescued by the opposition ( Whanganui River Adventures) who delivered us safely back to Pipiriki in a much better boat. Upon reaching Pipiriki (at about 3pm) our original skipper rushed off the boat and disappeared without a word to his let-down clients ! All in all, a very run-down chaotic operation and a disappointing day - we didn't get to the Bridge to Nowhere ! Certainly cannot recommend this company to anyone. The one positive comment is that the young girl I spoke to on the phone when booking was very helpful and pleasant.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

A brilliant experience.

Our guide Doug was great, efficient, friendly and knowledgeable and didn't mind being bombarded with questions. The ride up river was nothing short of stunning, this is a truly beautiful part of NZ. The walk to the bridge was easier than expected and the cuppa when we arrived was perfect. Doug must double as a mountain goat to get up the side with that pack! The place is fascinating and there was something haunting about a lonely bridge surrounded by nothing but bush. A great day out, can't find a thing to fault - not even the weather. Will definitely do this again.

Reviewed almost 12 years ago

Nice journey in jet boat and kayak through the Whanganui River.

We started with a jetboat, then we walk through the forest area and had a coffee break with a bit of history speak and then we returned by kayak. All the visit is guided except the kayaking.

Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

After weeks of eager anticipation for a wonderful trip up the Whanganui river to visit the Bridge to Nowhere, we were totally let down by this company.

The day started badly with the operator (Joe) arriving late and announcing that his main jetboat had broken down that morning! Firstly he attempted to get the trailer to get that boat out of the river, but there were issues with its brakes. Then his eftpos wasn't working! Next, life jackets were thrown at us in a heap and we were left to sort them ourselves. We finally left Pipiriki at about 12 noon (10-30 start time) in a smaller boat - 8 passengers altogether. A good commentary running up-river was spoilt by the smell of leaking fuel. Felt uneasy about that. Further up-river the driver stopped to check on hunters he was due to pick up, and turned off the jetboat motor. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN ! After some time spent trying to fix it and radioing his partner, we were lucky enough to be rescued by the opposition ( Whanganui River Adventures) who delivered us safely back to Pipiriki in a much better boat. Upon reaching Pipiriki (at about 3pm) our original skipper rushed off the boat and disappeared without a word to his let-down clients ! All in all, a very run-down chaotic operation and a disappointing day - we didn't get to the Bridge to Nowhere ! Certainly cannot recommend this company to anyone. The one positive comment is that the young girl I spoke to on the phone when booking was very helpful and pleasant.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

We were both really looking forward to our trip up the river, an overnight stay in the lodge and then the Bridge to Nowhere trip the following day.

"Sad end to a our planned Christmas treat."

Right from the start we have had problems with this company, problems getting an initial response, eventually contacted GrabOne for help, problems getting them to confirm the date and the time. Each time we rang they had the booking details wrong; they also did not ring us back as they promised. Finally today they changed the meeting time for the boat to the lodge which we cannot manage; It takes 5 hours for us to reach Pipiriki. It wasn't until yesterday that we learned that there is no Pipiriki Cafe, no phone, no cell phone reception so if the boat which takes customers to the lodge is delayed we would be stuck. Its quite a remote spot apparently. We were told that we could leave our car with someone near the leaving point for $10 a day. The boat trip price through GrabOne was $99 each, the lodge for dinner bed and breakfast was $145 each. Previous reviewers have commented that this is a bit steep for very basic amenities. Our GrabOne voucher expires on January 19 so we will not be able to use it and we have lost, what is to us quite a lot of money. We both found the phone calls difficult, vital information was not made available and the confusion over the booking made us feel nervous. We got the feeling that they were not prepared to change any part of their schedule - despite being told that we were the only people booked into the lodge that night. In the final phone call the girl told us that it costs them $300 to send a boat to collect customers; and this was why they would not be prepared to changed their revised schedule.... It was all very upsetting and disappointing. I understand that there are 2 companies operating on the river perhaps the other one is worth investigating

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

A brilliant experience.

Our guide Doug was great, efficient, friendly and knowledgeable and didn't mind being bombarded with questions. The ride up river was nothing short of stunning, this is a truly beautiful part of NZ. The walk to the bridge was easier than expected and the cuppa when we arrived was perfect. Doug must double as a mountain goat to get up the side with that pack! The place is fascinating and there was something haunting about a lonely bridge surrounded by nothing but bush. A great day out, can't find a thing to fault - not even the weather. Will definitely do this again.

Reviewed almost 12 years ago

If you marvelled at Lord of the Rings scenery, this is the place to breath it in!

Amazing, unspoiled beauty, tranquility and serenity, where no road can take you, except for the river. The jet boat ride from Pipiriki takes you to The Bridge to Nowhere Lodge in 20 minutes. Another 15 minutes of the boat ride and 50 minutes walk in the enchanted forest will lead to the Bridge to Nowhere, which the time forgot. No roads, no mobile networks, just the nature and the River. Excellent guides and interesting stories. A beautiful lodge, with amazing views over the river from most bedrooms; clean and comfortable accomodation; great dinners, breakfasts and lunches; excellent service with a personal touch; huge farm with cute little lambs, piglets, deer, horses, ponies, emus, goats, chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks, dogs and a cat. An ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. Just sit on the veranda and watch the river and the mountains - you can't get enough of this magnificent scenery.

Reviewed about 12 years ago

We did the Bridge to Nowhere jet and canoe tour and we loved it!

Our driver/guide Ben was knowledgeable, helpful, fun and friendly. We were especially grateful for the coffee, tea and bikkies on the bridge.

Had a great day and I highly recommend this company and trip to anyone.

Reviewed over 12 years ago

We had a fun day out for a group of 7, one person was recovering from a leg injury, but he was helped onto the boat, and was able to manage the walk thru the lovely bush to the bridge.

It was spectacular, no photo does it justice. not one for heights, I felt quite safe on this solid structure, where we had lunch and a cuppa, and heard about the fascinating history of the area.

Our guide Doug was very experienced, and edged the jet to enable the photographers on board to get some spectacular shots. The drive to Pipiriki is very picturesque too. Great day, nice people.

Reviewed over 12 years ago

Loved the trip - awesome scenery!

! Ben has sooo much knowledge of the area - thanks for sharing it with us! !

Reviewed over 12 years ago

The jetboat tour to the Bridge to Nowhere is a "must do" for all travellers.

It is so much fun to go on the river with 60km/h. Ben, our guide and driver, knows the whole history of the stunning Bridge to Nowhere and he showed us so many pictures and photographs with lots of historical information. He drove the Jetboat safely on the mighty Whanganui River so that we could enjoy the fantastic landscape.

I will definitely come back and do the 3-day-canoe-trip with them, because the Whanganui National Park is amazing and 'Bridge to Nowhere' is the perfect company to take a trip in this area.

Thank you Jo and Ben for this wonderful and funny trip!!!

See you soon :)

Reviewed about 13 years ago and experienced in September 2011

The perfect destination for our tramping group of nine people at Labour weekend.

Thanks to Joe and his family we all had a relaxing, interesting and fun time. Everything was well organised and the facilities are comfortable, warm and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble for the hosts. There are many outdoor activities in the area, easily accessible by very safe jetboat driving. NZ wilderness at its best!! Cathy.

Reviewed about 13 years ago

Great destination for an adventure weekend trip.

Mountain Bike the Bridge to Nowhere track, jet boat to the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge to relax overnight and then canoe down the Wanganui river. The lodge organised all the transfers for us making for very easy planning. A fun mountainbike track with lots of downhills, brilliant views, historical sites - a real remote experience. The lodge is in a serene spot above the river with lovely views. The food was plentiful and delicious, friendly staff and clean rooms. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lodge!

Reviewed over 13 years ago