Sale Swing Bridge

The Sale Swing Bridge is located on Swing Bridge Drive near the South Gippsland Highway, Longford, 5 km south of the city of Sale, Victoria, Australia[2] and spans the Latrobe River at its junction with the Thomson River.

Sale Swing Bridge
Sale swing bridge, in closed position
Coordinates38°08′47″S 147°05′13″E
CarriesSwing Bridge Drive, formerly South Gippsland Highway, formerly Port Albert Road[1]
CrossesLatrobe River
LocaleGippsland, Victoria, Australia
Official nameSale Swing Bridge
Other name(s)La Trobe Bridge (former name)
Characteristics
DesignSwing bridge
MaterialWrought iron spans, timber deck, concrete-filled cast iron piers
Width6.7m (22 feet)
Longest span45.6m
History
DesignerJohn Grainger
Constructed byPeter Platt
Fabrication byCastings by Messers Johnson & Company of Tyne Foundry, Melbourne
Construction start1880
Construction end1883
Opened1883
Location

Designed by John Grainger[3]: pp.2–3  and built by local contractor Peter Platt for the Victorian Government Board of Land and Works[4][5] it was the first movable bridge built in Victoria. Its wrought-iron structure, 45 metres long, pivots on a set of nine cylindrical cast iron columns filled with concrete. Before opening, it was test loaded with 240 cattle.[3] At its peak, the bridge was opened up to 20 times a day, allowing the movement of steamers between Sale and Melbourne. As of 2023, the bridge opens each Saturday and Sunday between 3pm and 4pm, and on the second Wednesday of every month between 11am and 12 noon.[2]

The bridge underwent major restoration works towards the end of 2003, which were completed by the start of 2006.[4] Since the restoration about 2,500 tourists have visited the bridge each year.[6]

The Sale Swing Bridge was used as a set in 2007 for the filming of the 2008 film The Tender Hook, starring Hugo Weaving and Rose Byrne.[7]

In April 2017 vandals lodged a block of wood in the gear mechanism, causing an axle to bend and the bottom roller beam to crack. The bridge was re-opened in July 2017 after a $160,000 repair.[6]

Engineering heritage award

The bridge is listed as an Engineering Heritage National Landmark by Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.[8]

References
  1. Beauchamp, David; Peake, Owen; Allison, Brian (October 2009). "Nomination Document for the Sale Swing Bridge" (PDF). Engineers Australia. Engineers Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. "Sale Swing Bridge". The Middle of Everywhere. Wellington Shire Council. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  3. Tibbits, George R.; Beauchamp, David (2009). "John Harry Grainger, Engineer and Architect" (PDF). Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand. pp. 2–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2010.
  4. City of Sale, Gippsland, Victoria ~ Community Information Website ~ Sale, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Archived 2 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Harper, Brian (July 2002). "Sale Swing Bridge". The Newsletter of Engineering Heritage Australia. Engineers Australia (13): 7. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  6. "Bridge Back in the Swing". gippslandtimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  7. "Underworld film brings stars to Gippsland". ABC Arts Online. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  8. "Sale Swing Bridge, Thompson River, 1883". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
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