Victoria: Bridges and Viaducts
Kilcunda Trestle Bridge, Vic
The disused Wonthaggi railway line was developed as a branch off the main South Gippsland line in Victoria, branching off at Nyora in 1910. It's main purpose was to serve the coal mining areas around Wonthaggi. The line actually extended a short distance beyond Wonthaggi to the mining area. The line included a number of bridges, the most spectacular of which was at Kilcunda. The trestle bridge, built in 1910 over the beach on the down side of the former station, is used as part of the rail trail.
Moorabool Viaduct, Vic
he Moorabool Viaduct, 12km north-west of Geelong and about 1.5km west of the Geelong-Ballan Road, is the most important engineering feature of the Geelong to Ballarat Railway. The bluestone and iron viaduct was the largest in Australia until the construction of the Hawkesbury River Bridge in 1889, and remains in railway service today. The bridge takes the railway over the Moorabool River, that runs past several small towns and areas such as Meredith, Anakie, and Staughton Vale (north-west of Geelong). The river joins with the Barwon River at Fyansford.
Koetong Trestle Bridges, Vic
The village Koetong is home to the spectacular Edgars Road Trestle Bridge and the 77 metre long Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge. The historic wooden Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge is four kilometres from Koetong and was built in 1915 for use by the railway. Today, the Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge has been faithfully restored and boasts a picnic table here and a short scenic walk. Spanning the deep gully carved by Boggy Creek, the bridge remains intact. The structural engineering is readily observed. Be mindful however, the bridge is not safe to walk on.
Noojee Trestle Bridge, Vic
Nestled on the banks of the Latrobe River in Victoria's Gippsland region is the small viggage of Noojee. A short trail through tall forests leads to the impressive restored trestle bridge. The terrain offers a gentle climb from Noojee and is well shaded and protected from wind. The trail is on the same former railway line as the Rokeby to Crossover Rail Trail, a branch line from Warragul.
Maldon Railway Bridges, Maldon, Vic
The six timber bridges on the Castlemaine to Maldon Railway line are among the oldest surviving timber bridges built by the Victorian Railways, and collectively demonstrate more about the structural diversity and evolution of small to medium sized timber railway bridges in Victoria from 1884 to 1976 than any other group of bridges. All bridges date from 1884 when the 10-mile (16km) long, heritage rich Maldon branch line opened, except the bridge over Muckleford Creek that was constructed new in 1889 to replace a smaller, indadequate bridge.
Pyalong Trestle Bridges, Vic
One of the major items of railway infrastructure required to be built for any new railway line are the means of crossing waterways, roads or going through hills, and it was no different for the Bendigo to Kilmore line when it was being built in the 1880s. The Wandong, Heathcote, Sandhurst section of the line required the construction of fifty bridges, not counting road crossings. Such bridges were needed to cross small waterways, as well as larger ones like the Mt Ida Creek, the Campaspe River, Axe Creek, Sweenies Creek and Grassy Flat Creek.
Albion Viaduct, Maribyrnong, Vic
Albion Viaduct, also known as the Maribyrnong Viaduct Bridge, began constructiton in 1927. When it was completed in 1929, it was the largest trestle bridge in Australia. Albion Viaduct carries the Albion–Jacana railway line, Melbourne across the Maribyrnong River in the western suburbs of Melbourne. It is located near the E J Whitten Bridge.
Eltham Rail Trestle Bridge, Eltham, Vic
The timber trestle rail bridge at Eltham carries the single broad gauge track of suburban Melbourne's Hurstbridge line through the Alistair Knox Park river-valley. Mainly of timber-pier and timber-beam construction, but varied by a few longer steel-joists spans on timber piers at the main stream channel, this substantial bridge has almost two hundred metres of timber deck. It is the only railway bridge of predominantly timber construction that is still in regular use as an integral part of Melbourne's metropolitan electric railway network and one of extremely few timber rail bridges in the State that still carry trains.
Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge, Vic
One of the most photographed locations in Victoria, the Monbulk Creek trestle bridge carries Puffing Billy from out of Belgrave and towards Menzies Creek. There is limited car park beneath the bridge for those wishing to stop and take photos. It is best suited for trains heading towards Menzies Creek.