Arapuni Suspension Bridge
About the Business
Welcome to the Arapuni Suspension Bridge, a historic landmark and popular tourist attraction located in Arapuni, New Zealand. This establishment holds great significance as it played a crucial role in New Zealand's largest civil engineering project back in the 1920s.
Spanning the picturesque Arapuni Gorge, just a mile downstream from the dam, this suspension bridge served as a simple ancillary structure during the construction of the Arapuni project. Despite its importance, the bridge received little attention in progress reports and media coverage at that time.
The structure itself is believed to have been prefabricated in England and was erected by the British contractors, Armstrong and Whitworth. The construction began in May 1925 with the laying of concrete foundations, and by December of the same year, the steel tower was in place. However, the steel cables and decking were not completed until April 1926.
Interestingly, there is no record of a formal opening ceremony for the bridge. It connected the "top camp," which eventually became the permanent Arapuni township, with the western side of the gorge. The top camp served as accommodation for the workers involved in the construction of the spillway, powerhouse, penstock, and outdoor station.
After the dam and headrace were filled two and a half years later, there was a minor issue with the bridge. The movement of rock near the penstock tunnels caused one of the supporting towers to sag slightly. Despite this, the bridge remained functional and continued to provide essential pedestrian access between Arapuni village and the hydro-electric installation.
Although the construction of this iconic bridge took place over sixty years ago, it stands strong and continues to facilitate efficient and convenient operation in the area. Visitors can now experience the rich history and breathtaking views as they walk across this remarkable suspension bridge.
Come and explore the Arapuni Suspension Bridge, where the past meets the present, and marvel at the engineering marvel that has stood the test of time.
Photos
Location & Phone number
57 Arapuni Road, Arapuni, Waikato 3415, New Zealand
Reviews
"Great off the beaten track visit! Kids loved the views & the easy walk was just enough to break up a roadie! LOVE NZ ❤️"
"A beautiful place to visit on any day of the week with beautiful view of the river, bridge, rain forest and most importantly the hydro dam for which the Suspension bridge was constructed in 1925."
"Great natural and historical sightseeing place! Less people are here could combine here with the famous blue spring very close to each other"
"We were on our way from Hamilton to Rotorua and this was a fun little pitstop to allow us to get out of the car and stretch our legs. It's a short walk down to the bridge from the parking lot. It's a beautiful view of the river from a really good vantage point. For those who are afraid of heights please know the bridge does sway when there are a lot of people on it. But it was well worth the stop."
"A very intersting historical place to visit. During WW2 they camouflaged the Arapuni Power Station just in case Japanese invades NZ. You can see the Arapuni Power Station below the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge is just a short walk from the road (there are toilets there as well)."
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