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Driving over the Arahura bridge.1985.
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DescriptionGail Newby Wilkie.."Driving over the Arahura bridge in 1985 in our HQ Holden."Date of Photo1985Map[1] ContributorGail Newby Wilkie
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Location (city or town)ArahuraEventDriving over the Arahura bridge.1985.
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Date Created9th January 2020CommentsJohn Paget I had a 1973 Belmont the same colour. Montana Gold. Sounded more like a brand of tobacco.
Michaela Perkins i hope they dont pull it down, its a perfect spot for a zip line, bungy jumping and swing, canoes underneath and jet boats, it could bring in lots of money to that sleepy little haven.
Tony Johnson Michaela Perkins umm arahura not ahaura lol
Ron Kendrick Michaela Perkins It’s already gone!!
Michaela Perkins Ron Kendrick paradise by any other name. i think i did read that wrong, just another blond moment
Mike Mora Miss the old bridge and the Greyhound Hotel.
Phyllis Aberhart It's a shame they're not survived
Kel Mitchelle Miss driving this bridge.
Ally Davies Oops thought this was the Teramakau bridge!
Donald Pearson Driven over it quite afew times,sadly now history.
Chris Rabey Need some info. Has the pub at the south end of the Taramakau reopened? I had many a beer at the Greyhound. Always loved driving over the bridge nearby
Craig Smith Chris Rabey believe it's only open for events/ bookings
Marilyn Paterson Craig Smith burnt down along time ago.
Alan Pegley THe Greyhound burnt down. The Taramakau pub is still there, but no longer a business
George Gardner Taramakau Pub is now a private dwelling.
Sheryl Iraia memories
Shaun Burgess kingswood great car
Debbie Smith The 20 or more road signs as you approached was hardcase .. Must've been a record of some sort :)
Raewyn Stephens i know i know some one who has a photo of the sign that said EXCESSIVE SIGNAGE first sign as you go north to south then they took it down prob because they were just adding to the problem. i cracked when i saw it..
Debbie Smith Raewyn Stephens Hope there's a picture of them .. A classic WT ? :)
Mark Murrell Great car right there 202 engine.. had three sedans in my time ..
Les Holmes Germanicus
Les Holmes Germanicus There is one span of this Howe truss span they've set aside, but unfortunately there's no apparent maintenance plan so it is rusting away quietly in a park area.Kay Bruce
I loved those wagons, would tow anything and go like the clappers.
Gary Scott
Kay Bruce
Most likely assembled in Trentham with good kiwi labour. First thing we did was fill the doors with tectal.
Thelma Wilkins
The good old days
Jim Wilson
Great photo!
Curtis Parker
I use to live in totraflat and went to that great school wow lots of memories come flooding back looking at this picture and there is a new bridge there now I think
Gav Schist
Curtis Parker that would be Ahaura
John Webster
My sister and I were roaring down the road towards the bridge in a little sports car and run out a brakes we shot off to the left
Tanya Weepu
Oh i miss our bridge we use too hve so much fun on dat bridge was da best dayz kicking it on mi awa the arahura xxxx
Chris Rabey
I used to count the number of wagons on a goods train while waiting at this bridge
Brent David
Remember crossing it northbound one night, a fella from the pa rolling a keg home from the pub. Fun police stopped all that…
Arlene Hutcheon
I remember that bridge, when going to Hokitika with my parents.
Jeff Louwman
HQ's like that worth a pretty penny now
Mark Murrell
Good to see the old pics, One of the great holdens right there.. had three HQ's and many other holdens in me day
Gill Smeltzer
I was always afraid a train would come on the bridge before we got over it. Was always glad the Teramakau bridge had a man on a bicycle to close the gates when a train was coming!
Jenny Leach
Good old pics travelled over this bridge many times
Mary Hood
We had a Ford in those days
· Reply ·
· 4h
Lesley Parker Butland
Loved this bridge as well.
· Reply ·
· 4h
Margaret Trail
Didnt like driving over those 1 way rail bridges.
· Reply ·
· 1h
Kerry Molloy
Remember it well for a couple of things -Day i got my 1st motor bike ,riding it back from greymouth -hit rail lines at wrong angle and came a right gutser smacking my new helmet on the rail lines fence just in behind the hut !
Kerry Molloy
A few years later out with a mate on a wee night of jacko hunting (as we used to do) Bugger me a big buck jacko was parked in the middle of the bridge and wasnt lettin noone past .JB hopped out chased the bugger up on to the bridge superstructure .I had a hell of a job persuading him(JB) to get down and get back in the car for the arahura water was colder than an embalmers handshake at that time of year and thats where i reckoned both the silly buggers were going to end up!
Miriama Lance Johnsen
We used to swim behind the sheds We would dive and play on the train carriages that were in the water
Steven Harris
Nzr railway trains did not sound there warning horn long & loud,as a result a train almost smashed the nose off the front of the full,school bus I was driving out of hokitika on one days school run..
Phil Norton
The alarm bells nowadays are much quieter and barely audible if you've got aircon on and/or the car radio..stupid and dangerous when these new digital ? bells were introduced not that long ago ...its like have a quiet horn in your car or a quiet smoke alarm...I love that old HQ Holden in the pic.. ..l still have our one..Peter Armstrong
Colour of the Holden is San Remo Gold for anyone who's interested. I had an HZ ute in the same colour
John Paget
I had an HQ Holden in the same colour in the 80/s
Cherrie Mcglashan
Great memories-history.
Steph JF
I loved the Taramakau!
Colin Harman
Back in the early 70s was about to cross, it was raining and a motor bike slipped past me only to fall of when he crossed the rail lines, got wet helping the guy stand up his bike, only injuries was his pride
Phil Gibson
The old holden Kingswood. Brings back a few memory's.
Mary Hopkins
Phil Gibson I had dads holden kingwood trimatic loved it
Phil Gibson
That's all dad had for years.
Lois Iacoppi
If wet and you touched the rail lines it made you skid very frightening
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Lois Iacoppi it was like that when i rode my bike over the railway lines by the goods sheds.. came a few croppers there.
Greg Smith
Whatu Murphy slid his car sideways down that bridge
Marion Wainman
My husband said it was dodgy as going over on a motorbike
Trevor Hutt
Hit that bridge at a bit of speed one night, crossed up on railway lines and game over, bike was a wreck.
Letty Macphedran
As did Willy
Maurice O'Flaherty
is that Hans Comen holden he had one that colour
Jeff Louwman
love the Kingswood wagons
Geoffrey King
Vehicle in picture was registered in 1972
Mark Humphreys
Ahhh remember it well
Brent David
Obligatory rust in tailgate…
Phyllis Johnston
Was a beautiful bridge.irember the guard had to close the gate on the end. When the train was coming.
Kerry Keating
Phyllis Johnston That was the Taramakau bridge Phyllis. About 8 miles STH of Greymouth. This one was about 5 miles Nth of Hokitika. Was one that a lot of attention coming off either end.
Phyllis Johnston
At both of them. Then he hed to run back. And open the gate so the train went through
Phyllis Johnston
Love the kingswood
Sue McCallum
Drove that every day for at least 6 yrs working at seaview
Christine Stewart
Came off that bridge on a bike ...slid half way along in the wet . Bit bruised but ok
Vicki Roper
Shit, looks like someone I know
Phyllis Johnston
There was also another at.hokitika
Phyllis Johnston
Yes the bridge clamed a few motor bikes
Deb Smith
Don't see to many of those station wagons anymore! Was a tad Rickity driving over it ....lol..
Phyllis Johnston
The bridge clamed a few cyclists to helped a lady she broke her leg. Stayed there with her til the ambulance came.
Peter Mcgurk
The Teremakau was the bridge that had the gates that closed
Michaela Perkins i hope they dont pull it down, its a perfect spot for a zip line, bungy jumping and swing, canoes underneath and jet boats, it could bring in lots of money to that sleepy little haven.
Tony Johnson Michaela Perkins umm arahura not ahaura lol
Ron Kendrick Michaela Perkins It’s already gone!!
Michaela Perkins Ron Kendrick paradise by any other name. i think i did read that wrong, just another blond moment
Mike Mora Miss the old bridge and the Greyhound Hotel.
Phyllis Aberhart It's a shame they're not survived
Kel Mitchelle Miss driving this bridge.
Ally Davies Oops thought this was the Teramakau bridge!
Donald Pearson Driven over it quite afew times,sadly now history.
Chris Rabey Need some info. Has the pub at the south end of the Taramakau reopened? I had many a beer at the Greyhound. Always loved driving over the bridge nearby
Craig Smith Chris Rabey believe it's only open for events/ bookings
Marilyn Paterson Craig Smith burnt down along time ago.
Alan Pegley THe Greyhound burnt down. The Taramakau pub is still there, but no longer a business
George Gardner Taramakau Pub is now a private dwelling.
Sheryl Iraia memories
Shaun Burgess kingswood great car
Debbie Smith The 20 or more road signs as you approached was hardcase .. Must've been a record of some sort :)
Raewyn Stephens i know i know some one who has a photo of the sign that said EXCESSIVE SIGNAGE first sign as you go north to south then they took it down prob because they were just adding to the problem. i cracked when i saw it..
Debbie Smith Raewyn Stephens Hope there's a picture of them .. A classic WT ? :)
Mark Murrell Great car right there 202 engine.. had three sedans in my time ..
Les Holmes Germanicus
Les Holmes Germanicus There is one span of this Howe truss span they've set aside, but unfortunately there's no apparent maintenance plan so it is rusting away quietly in a park area.Kay Bruce
I loved those wagons, would tow anything and go like the clappers.
Gary Scott
Kay Bruce
Most likely assembled in Trentham with good kiwi labour. First thing we did was fill the doors with tectal.
Thelma Wilkins
The good old days
Jim Wilson
Great photo!
Curtis Parker
I use to live in totraflat and went to that great school wow lots of memories come flooding back looking at this picture and there is a new bridge there now I think
Gav Schist
Curtis Parker that would be Ahaura
John Webster
My sister and I were roaring down the road towards the bridge in a little sports car and run out a brakes we shot off to the left
Tanya Weepu
Oh i miss our bridge we use too hve so much fun on dat bridge was da best dayz kicking it on mi awa the arahura xxxx
Chris Rabey
I used to count the number of wagons on a goods train while waiting at this bridge
Brent David
Remember crossing it northbound one night, a fella from the pa rolling a keg home from the pub. Fun police stopped all that…
Arlene Hutcheon
I remember that bridge, when going to Hokitika with my parents.
Jeff Louwman
HQ's like that worth a pretty penny now
Mark Murrell
Good to see the old pics, One of the great holdens right there.. had three HQ's and many other holdens in me day
Gill Smeltzer
I was always afraid a train would come on the bridge before we got over it. Was always glad the Teramakau bridge had a man on a bicycle to close the gates when a train was coming!
Jenny Leach
Good old pics travelled over this bridge many times
Mary Hood
We had a Ford in those days
· Reply ·
· 4h
Lesley Parker Butland
Loved this bridge as well.
· Reply ·
· 4h
Margaret Trail
Didnt like driving over those 1 way rail bridges.
· Reply ·
· 1h
Kerry Molloy
Remember it well for a couple of things -Day i got my 1st motor bike ,riding it back from greymouth -hit rail lines at wrong angle and came a right gutser smacking my new helmet on the rail lines fence just in behind the hut !
Kerry Molloy
A few years later out with a mate on a wee night of jacko hunting (as we used to do) Bugger me a big buck jacko was parked in the middle of the bridge and wasnt lettin noone past .JB hopped out chased the bugger up on to the bridge superstructure .I had a hell of a job persuading him(JB) to get down and get back in the car for the arahura water was colder than an embalmers handshake at that time of year and thats where i reckoned both the silly buggers were going to end up!
Miriama Lance Johnsen
We used to swim behind the sheds We would dive and play on the train carriages that were in the water
Steven Harris
Nzr railway trains did not sound there warning horn long & loud,as a result a train almost smashed the nose off the front of the full,school bus I was driving out of hokitika on one days school run..
Phil Norton
The alarm bells nowadays are much quieter and barely audible if you've got aircon on and/or the car radio..stupid and dangerous when these new digital ? bells were introduced not that long ago ...its like have a quiet horn in your car or a quiet smoke alarm...I love that old HQ Holden in the pic.. ..l still have our one..Peter Armstrong
Colour of the Holden is San Remo Gold for anyone who's interested. I had an HZ ute in the same colour
John Paget
I had an HQ Holden in the same colour in the 80/s
Cherrie Mcglashan
Great memories-history.
Steph JF
I loved the Taramakau!
Colin Harman
Back in the early 70s was about to cross, it was raining and a motor bike slipped past me only to fall of when he crossed the rail lines, got wet helping the guy stand up his bike, only injuries was his pride
Phil Gibson
The old holden Kingswood. Brings back a few memory's.
Mary Hopkins
Phil Gibson I had dads holden kingwood trimatic loved it
Phil Gibson
That's all dad had for years.
Lois Iacoppi
If wet and you touched the rail lines it made you skid very frightening
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Lois Iacoppi it was like that when i rode my bike over the railway lines by the goods sheds.. came a few croppers there.
Greg Smith
Whatu Murphy slid his car sideways down that bridge
Marion Wainman
My husband said it was dodgy as going over on a motorbike
Trevor Hutt
Hit that bridge at a bit of speed one night, crossed up on railway lines and game over, bike was a wreck.
Letty Macphedran
As did Willy
Maurice O'Flaherty
is that Hans Comen holden he had one that colour
Jeff Louwman
love the Kingswood wagons
Geoffrey King
Vehicle in picture was registered in 1972
Mark Humphreys
Ahhh remember it well
Brent David
Obligatory rust in tailgate…
Phyllis Johnston
Was a beautiful bridge.irember the guard had to close the gate on the end. When the train was coming.
Kerry Keating
Phyllis Johnston That was the Taramakau bridge Phyllis. About 8 miles STH of Greymouth. This one was about 5 miles Nth of Hokitika. Was one that a lot of attention coming off either end.
Phyllis Johnston
At both of them. Then he hed to run back. And open the gate so the train went through
Phyllis Johnston
Love the kingswood
Sue McCallum
Drove that every day for at least 6 yrs working at seaview
Christine Stewart
Came off that bridge on a bike ...slid half way along in the wet . Bit bruised but ok
Vicki Roper
Shit, looks like someone I know
Phyllis Johnston
There was also another at.hokitika
Phyllis Johnston
Yes the bridge clamed a few motor bikes
Deb Smith
Don't see to many of those station wagons anymore! Was a tad Rickity driving over it ....lol..
Phyllis Johnston
The bridge clamed a few cyclists to helped a lady she broke her leg. Stayed there with her til the ambulance came.
Peter Mcgurk
The Teremakau was the bridge that had the gates that closed
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West Coast New Zealand History (13th Jan 2023). Driving over the Arahura bridge.1985.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 26th Apr 2026 03:25, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/26814