BBQ
The Victorian Goldfields is home to a huge collection of gorgeous historic bridges, from charming timber crossings to remarkable steel and stone giants!
Take a look through this list and discover some of the most beautiful bridges in the region.
Wheelers Bridge, Lawrence VIC
This gorgeous old bridge crosses Birch Creek in Lawrence, and is surrounded by scenic views down the gorge and across to the huge mullock heaps of various nearby deep lead gold mines.
Wheelers Bridge, completed in 1900, was only the third bridge completed in Victoria using the early Monier system of reinforced concrete.
This bridge replaced an earlier timber bridge, and is still in use today (although at a reduced load limit due to it's deteriorating condition).
Taradale Viaduct, Taradale VIC
Taradale's magnificent bluestone and metal girder viaduct carries the railway line 120 feet above Back Creek, with five spans and a total length of over 250 metres.
Visitors can stop by for a close look by parking alongside the adjacent Royal Oaks Park and walking the short track beneath the viaduct.
Construction of the viaduct began in 1858 and was completed in 1862.
Introduction of heavier locomotives and loads in the 20th century required the bridge to be strengthened, and the additional steel trestles were added between the original stone piers in the 1930s.
Archdale Bridge, Archdale VIC
This striking old humped timber bridge stands across the Avoca River in Archdale and is the oldest surviving timber bridge in Victoria.
Built in 1863, this thirteen-span bridge has an arched timber deck 84 metres long and 5.5 metres wide.
The humped timber deck was designed to allow for the flow of flood waters, a design which was once common but with very few surviving examples today.
The Archdale Bridge is no longer in use but remains standing alongside the newer bridge on Archdale Road.
Janevale Bridge, Laanecoorie VIC
The beautiful Janevale Bridge is a reinforced concrete structure which was designed and constructed by Sir John Monash.
The bridge was completed in 1911 and remains a striking feature along the Loddon River at Laanecoorie.
This bridge is situated right alongside a popular campground, and marks the beginning of a scenic walk to the nearby Laanecoorie Weir.
Windmill Bridge, Kyneton VIC
This charming old bluestone and timber bridge crosses the Campaspe River and stands abandoned alongside the Kyneton-Metcalfe Road.
The bridge was named for the beautiful historic windmill farm which is situated in the adjacent field.
The mill consists of the bluestone windmill tower (no milling machinery or sails remaining), a timber residence, timber barn, and smaller outbuildings.
The windmill tower can be seen from the roadside if you look over beyond the bridge.
Note - Windmill Bridge was unfortunately destroyed in a storm.
Glenmona Bridge, Bung Bong VIC
The gorgeous remains of the old Glenmona Bridge stand alongside the Pyrenees Highway, crossing the scenic Bet Bet Creek in Bung Bong. It's an impressive sight along the drive between Maryborough and Avoca. Glenmona is the name of a nearby early pastoral station and homestead on Bet Bet Creek.
Glenmona Bridge is a continuous wrought-iron lattice-girder deck-truss road bridge, set over three spans on bluestone-masonry abutments and piers.
The timber deck of this bridge was destroyed by fire, but the stone abutments, piers and trusses are still intact.
Built in 1871, Glenmona Bridge replaced a notable 1857 timber bridge which was swept away in the 1870 floods.
Redesdale Iron Bridge, Redesdale VIC
This striking iron and timber bridge features a gorgeous design composed of lattice-girders, stone abutments, divided lanes and a timber deck.
Built in the late 1860s, its unique design and scenic setting give this significant bridge its outstanding visual impact.
Along with its unique appearance, the Redesdale Iron Bridge also boasts a fascinating history! It shares a connection with the Hawthorn Bridge, an 1850s ship fire, and a parliamentary scandal!
Smeaton Bridge, Smeaton VIC
This gorgeous bluestone bridge was built in 1892 to replace an earlier wooden trestle bridge, and crosses Birch Creek on the Creswick-Newstead Road.
Best viewed from Alice Street, Smeaton Bridge is a great place to check out while exploring the beautiful buildings and history of Andersons Mill.
Kingower Bridge, Kingower VIC
The beautiful stone and timber Kingower Bridge is set along an old mail and coach route, and lies surrounded by picturesque vineyards in the heart of a rich historic goldfield.
Kingower Bridge is a rare example of a gold rush era stone and timber beam main road bridge, and is the only known unmodified example of this once-common design still in regular use.
Constructed of hand-crafted stone abutments with stone wing-walls and squared timber beams, this style of bridge was once common in Victoria but are now very rare.
Kingower Bridge has been maintained by the local council in close to original condition - it has been re-decked and had the cross beams replaced, but it has been done without modification to its original design.
Malmsbury Viaduct, Malmsbury VIC
Constructed in 1860, the Malmsbury Viaduct is Victoria's biggest masonry structure, and took just one year to build!
The viaduct contains almost 4,000 cubic metres of bluestone, taken from a nearby quarry. It lies across five spans of 18.3 metres and has a maximum height above the valley floor of 25 metres.
This remarkable structure can be viewed from Malmsbury's beautiful Botanical Gardens.
Kings Bridge, Bendigo VIC
King's Bridge is an impressive double-arch Monier bridge which crosses Bendigo Creek on Weeroona Avenue.
Situated across from Lake Weeroona, the bridge is an interesting feature along both the Bendigo Creek Trail and the Long Gully Trail, which travel on either side of this section of Bendigo Creek.
First King's Bridge after collapse, Bendigo 1901. Source: The University of Melbourne.
King's Bridge is the site of an early 20th century engineering disaster, where the original single-span bridge collapsed under load testing, killing contractor Albert Boldt.
Upon investigation it was found that the large (50 degree) angle of the bridge's skew caused four times the expected stress in the structure.
Also of interest
Follow us on Facebook