
Bealey Bridge is a key crossing over Waimakariri River
New Zealand, oceania
N/A
267 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along New Zealand's Great Alpine Highway (State Highway 73) in the South Island's Canterbury region, right? You're heading towards the iconic Bealey Bridge, just near Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps.
This isn't just any bridge, folks. Built way back in 1935, this single-lane beauty stretches 266.94 meters (that's 875.80 feet!) across the mighty Waimakariri River. It’s a bit of a squeeze, only letting one vehicle cross at a time. BUT! There's a clever little passing point right in the middle. How cool is that?
They’ve been taking great care of Bealey Bridge over the years, reinforcing it to protect against erosion. Crossing it isn't just about getting from A to B; it's a chance to soak in some seriously epic views of the Waimakariri River. It’s a step back in time, showing off some old-school engineering that’s still connecting communities today. Definitely a highlight of the drive!
Where is it?
Bealey Bridge is a key crossing over Waimakariri River is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.5206, 176.1247
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Max Elevation
- 267 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -41.5206, 176.1247
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