A couple of weeks ago I passed through Redesdale, and its 152 year old bridge. This, by Australian standards, is pretty old.
Despite the sign, it opened in 1868, not 1867.
On approach, there’s a warning sign about the width (3.2 metres) and height (4.3 metres) limit. Higher than the Montague Street Bridge, but not as capacious as bridges built to modern standards.
Making the bridge doubly fascinating is the story behind it: the ironwork was intended for the Hawthorn bridge (at Bridge Road), but the ship carrying it from Britain caught fire and sunk in Hobsons Bay. Eventually the ironwork was salvaged and used at Redesdale.
A relative reckons that during heavy rain, it’s not unknown for the river to reach the bridge deck – which must be quite a sight.
But even with the river level far lower, on a long drive, it’s an eyecatching sight.
Years ago (pre-digital photos) I remember seeing the Genoa bridge. Not as old – 1920s, but still very appealing. Unfortunately it’s been destroyed in the fires.
3 replies on “The Redesdale bridge”
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Hampden_Bridge_KValley_2008.JPG
I thought Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley near Goulburn interesting
oh, very nice!
Found a pretty good list of historic NSW bridges here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_bridges_of_New_South_Wales
Haven’t yet found a similar list for Victoria.
On the subject of bridges burning down, the big timber trestle bridge at Wairewa (on the former Orbost railway, now rail trail) was also lost in the recent fires.