Before the first bridge, access across the Piako River was either by swimming or taking the ferry at Pipiroa or Kaihere. In December 1917, the one lane Ngatea Bridge was officially opened. The route quickly became the main travel way between Auckland and Tauranga and Ngatea became the commercial hub of the Plains. Two passing bays were added in 1926. The lifting mechanism was removed in 1952 and the central span was fixed. In 1963, the bridge was demolished and a modern bridge built to replace it (HAU427). The lifting-span was an unusual design as the swivel design was used for most of the other bridges in the plains. The central span would lift up when boats needed to travel along the river. The tower and lifted central span were landmark features and could be seen from some distance away. It may have been one of only two bridges in New Zealand with this design (the other being in Gisborne). This cach is in (waikato)
A small container with objects inside is hidden in this area, feel free to take or replace the trinkets, and rember to rehide the cach where you found it.