(Views of lower river delta and Lake Taupo beyond)

Received an interesting question from tourists who have often walked along the Tongariro River Trail in town on the TLB, (True Left Bank when looking downriver) but they had never explored the TRB (Guess!). They were hesitant because they did not know how far it was or how steep the climb was for the views beyond the lower river toward Lake Taupo. During the summer holiday season the TLB is very popular but some, like the questioner, were reluctant to go over to the wild side. When guests have survived most of 2025 trapped in a tiny 10th floor apartment, it must seem like a big adventure to go on a tramp where there are no footpaths or orange cones to protect them.

We found there are many photo journeys along the town side but none on the farm side. This blog outlines what to expect. Overall, it is very similar except for the easy climb up the hill at the northern end above the SH1 road bridge. The extra effort is rewarded with the wide views.

Instead of residential houses on the town side, the trail is fringed by a farm with some curious, well-fed spectators. Tourists do not realise that if you flew from Turangi over the cattle posing for the photo, directly east beyond the Kaimawawa Forest Park, the wilderness extends for over 100km, with no other development all the way to the Pacific Ocean merging somewhere above Wairoa. The only main roads cutting through the rugged wilderness are the Napier-Taupo and Napier-Gisborne roads, clearly marked with thousands of orange cones. All the remote rivers are choked with wild trout stocks waiting for anglers!

So starting at the northern end of the Tongariro River Trail loop, the trail passes under the road bridge and then winds up in zig-zags (4 zigs and 5 zags) to the lookout.

At the top there are three seats provided for catching your breath. Then the trail drops down to follow the Tongariro River.

Then the trail winds gently down to the river level, where there are several clearings for anglers to access the pools and spot trout.

The sheltered path has a pumice mixed with gravel surface, well-drained to be suitable for bikes, walkers and dogs.

The flying fox is for emergency access when the river gets flooded.

The old swing bridge at the end of Koura Street is due for replacement in 2026. A new bridge will be erected on the northern side – see DOC’s report below.

The swingbridge was erected by NZ Army Territorial engineers about 70 years ago. I love the support structures above, which used recycled concrete lamp posts secured together. Fortunately, they did not have to comply with stringent Council Resource Consent requirements at the time, when this region was part of the Ruapehu County Council. They relied on common sense instead, as the bridge was only temporary…

(View downriver from the swingbridge)

DOC Report:

Suspension bridge replacement.

Last month, we notified the angling community about plans to replace two iconic suspension bridges over the Tongariro River. We are now pleased to provide further details.

The Major Jones Bridge and the Red Hut Bridge have both served anglers and other recreational users for seventy years, but time and floods have taken their toll, so the bridges need to be replaced.

Major Jones (aka Birches swingbridge at the carpark at the end of Koura Street)will be the first, and detailed plans are now in place. Visually the new suspension bridge will retain the traditional characteristics, but from a structural perspective will be more robust with additional safety enhancements, such as structural redundancy in the event of component failure. The new bridge will be located at a fresh site close to the current bridge, allowing anglers to use the original while construction work is underway. Works are scheduled to begin in late February 2026 and should take approximately four months to complete.

Once the new bridge has been successfully tested, approved and formally opened, the decommissioning process will begin for the old bridge. It is hoped the site will be tidied and rehabilitated by the end of June 2026.

Signage will be in place along the river trail prior to works, ensuring anglers and other users have accurate information about the replacement plans.

The Red Hut Bridge is a more complex project, requiring an increased span to cross the river, therefore planning is still underway. Further information will be made available later.