Travel Australia

Bunbury Bridge, East Perth, WA

The original Bunbury Bridge was a single line timber railway bridge which took the railway line across the Swan River at East Perth near where Claise Brook enters the river. It carried the Armadale line, and was opened to traffic on 2nd May 1889. The original stations were Perth, Kelmscott and Armadale. Cannington and Welshpool opened later in 1897 and 1898 repectively. Originally called the Swan Bridge, it was re-named the Bunbury Bridge when the line was extended to Bunbury in the state's south-west in 1891.



Then Swan Bridge was built in 1892 by Atkins and Law. Construction was delayed due to troubles with sinking the Jarrah piles into the soft riverbed: they were intended to be sunk 13 metres below the water level, but reached this depth under their own weight as soon as they were put in position. Ultimately, they had to be driven to 26 to 29 metres before a solid footing was found. The bridge was officially opened on 8 September 1893 by Governor Robinson.

Following concerns for its safety, a so-called "temporary" replacement bridge was built between 1930 and 1932. Locals referred to the Bunbury Bridge as "Big Bunna", and the smaller bridge which crossed the nearby Burswood Canal at Riversdale (Rivervale) as "Little Bunna".

After 63 years of use, the temporary structure was closed when the current concrete railway bridge was built. The new double track structure, called the Goongoonup Bridge, was brought into operation in September 1991 when Perth's suburban railway lines were electrified. Windan Bridge (opened April 2000) is immediately adjacent and carries road traffic from the Graham Farmer Freeway.

Bunbury Bridge was replaced by the Goongoonup Bridge. The present double track concrete structure was constructed and brought into operation in September 1991 when Perth's suburban railway lines were electrified. It replaced its aging predecessor, ending the days of 'crossing delays' forever. The latter was demolished at the beginning of 1996.


Goongoonup Bridge