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The 32 metre high Waiau Ferry Road Bridge near Hanmer Springs, North Canterbury, New Zealand was constructed in 1887 with a central wrought iron truss and a double cantilever on each side supported on massive concrete piers. There is a track can be walked up on the other side to access the side footbridge, and although there were no jumpers on the day I was there, there is bungy jumping done from here, and the river is popular for white water rafting and jet boat rides.
This was a replacement for the first bridge, Handisides Bridge (a horse bridge), built in 1864 that was destroyed in a northwest gale ten years later. In the interim the treacherous river could be crossed by ferry or forded on horseback to access the thermal springs of Hanmer, and many lives were lost. The Press reporter of the day wrote that the existence of the bridge would 'save a deplorable waste of human life and make 'the healing springs of the Hanmer Plains more accessible to the public'. It still does to this day.
Taken with Canon 450D. Thanks for your views and any comments are welcome and appreciated.