History

Whakahoro has a very colourful history; both Maori and European and many remnants of the first failed attempts to farm this land are still visible here. Blue Duck Station is working to preserve this history through the plotting and restoration of the historical features that remain. Watch this space for the upcoming restoration of the school house.

The Bridge to Nowhere

Historic buildings

Historic roads

Papa drives

Whakahoro Post Office renovation

Bridge to Nowhere

The Bridge to Nowhere

40 kilometres from the farm in Whanganui National Park lies the iconic Bridge to Nowhere. Sitting over the Mangapurua Gorge the concrete bridge was completed in 1936 to enhance access to one of the most remote valleys of the Upper Whanganui River. Seven years later however it become redundant as the settlers, discharged servicemen from the First World War, abandoned the area. They had been valiantly trying to make a living from the inhospitable land for 24 years. Now a popular tourist attraction you can walk, mountain bike or jet boat to the Bridge from Whakahoro.

The Depot

Historic buildings

Just beyond the Kaiwhakauka bridge sits the depot building; the store or depository for the area. Situated at the junction of three roads: Te Mata, Bridge to Nowhere and Kaiwhakauka, the Depot would have played an essential part in dissemination of supplies in the area. Goods would have been transported up the Whanganui River to Wades Landing at Whakahoro then brought along the Kaiwhakauka track by horse and cart to the depot. It is also likely that the Depot would have held social gatherings and supported a lot of whisky drinking! The Depot and Stan’s Whare, also on the station, make excellent picnic stops whilst tramping.

Kaiwhakauka bridge

Historic roads

Blue Duck is working hard to maintain the old tracks and bridges that remain on the station from the Bridge to Nowhere era. This hardwood bridge, above the impressive Kaiwhakauka falls, was an important link for pioneers on the road to the Bridge to Nowhere. A modern swing bridge has been erected over it in recent years, preserving the timbers underneath.

Wetas in the Kaiwhakauka papa drive

Papa drives

We also have four 'papa drives' or manmade culverts on the station. Impressively cut only with a hand pick by the early settlers these underground passages house some amazing cave wetas and spiders. One of the culverts is situated on the Kaiwhakauka track and is large enough to walk through, as long as you don’t mind getting wet feet!

Whakahoro Post Office under renovation

Whakahoro Post Office renovation

We have been busily renovating the Whakahoro post office this year. Now situated outside the café we moved the post office here, near its original site, from the old homestead four kilometres down the road.

Conservation

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