Stony Creek Trestle Bridge Facing West
The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge is located near Nowa Nowa in East Gippsland Victoria.
The bridge was built in 1916 when the existing rail line from Melbourne to Bairnsdale was extended to Orbost. This 97km Bairnsdale to Orbost extension through rugged terrain was reputed to have been the most difficult rail project undertaken in Victoria. In service for over 60 years the bridge was damaged by bushfire in 1980, with the last train crossing in 1988.
At 247 metres long and 20 metres high, it is the largest standing wooden trestle bridge of its kind in the State of Victoria. The bridge is listed on the Register of Historic Sites.
Built of red ironbark and grey box timber, it is a fine example of the early engineering skills that utilised the resources and materials found on site.
Due to its poor condition the bridge itself is fenced off. There are two viewing areas, one close to the top of the bridge height. the other at the base.
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge Facing East
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge Base
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge And Track
According to the sign at the western end of the trestle bridge, “Steam Powered Engines operated on the line up until Diesel Locomotives took over in 1957. In June 1964 one of these units was involved in a derailment here which saw 11 timber filled trucks leave the tracks. Three of these fell off the bridge straight away and the other eight followed in the course of cleaning up the mess. Miraculously the engine and guards van stayed on the track and no one was injured.”
This is a great photography subject and I was disappointed that the overcast day limited the outcome. However, I was the only person there and no other visitors arrived until I was leaving. This was during winter and on a week day and perhaps this is why I had the bridge to myself.
I highly recommend a visit to this place. It is living history and evokes the romance of rail travel during its golden age, now long past. You get the sense of how thrilling it would have been to travel this area, not just because of the magnificent bridge, but also the lush bush in the area.
I will definitely return to this area and hopefully next time the skies will be more welcoming!
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