Exploring Waiau
Waiau, a quaint town in North Canterbury in the North Island, marks the end or beginning of the Inland Road to Kaikōura. This small town is notable for its long one-lane bridge spanning the Waiau Uwha River. The bridge, equipped with passing bays, offers a chance to pause and capture the river's beauty below. The Waiau Uwha River is a striking example of a South Island braided river, and visiting later in the day allows you to enjoy the sunset views.
History of the Waiau Bridge
The history of the Waiau Bridge is quite obscure. However, there is a reference to a bridge being built with the town's development in 1883. This coincided with a period of rapid expansion in South Island road infrastructure. Like other bridges built to span the region’s wide, braided rivers, single-lane designs with passing bays were a standard solution used across Canterbury to replace unreliable, even dangerous, ferry crossings and open up rural areas to trade and settlement.
How to Get There
Waiau sits on the south end of the scenic Inland Road, which takes you to Kaikōura. From the south, the town and bridge are accessed on Rotherham Road, which connects to State Highway 7.
From the intersection, it is a short drive north to the Waiau River Gorge Bridge and Hanmer Springs, and south to Christchurch. This inland route from Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura is part of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route.
