Crossing the Whakatāne River

Crossing the Whakatāne River

Travel along beaches or across estuaries or harbours was common in the Bay of Plenty before railways or highways, because it was difficult to traverse the hills, mountains, rivers and bush. Photographed around 1910, these passengers and horses are being ferried across the Whakatāne River to the town of Whakatāne. One wagon has been left behind, and another will meet them. The first bridge across the river was built a year later.