McKillops Bridge

Completed in 1935, McKillops Bridge in East Gippsland, Victoria, is a major engineering marvel. Located in the Snowy River National Park, it features a unique combination of arc-welded steel trusses and timber. Famously, a devastating flood destroyed the original structure just days before its planned 1934 opening, prompting engineers to rebuild it 15 feet higher.The Early CrossingFor nearly a century, the site was known as McKillops Crossing. It was named after George McKillop, a pioneering squatter who crossed and mapped this section of the Snowy River in 1835. For decades, the crossing acted as a crucial stock route for moving livestock from New South Wales into the Port Phillip District.Construction and the 1934 DisasterBy the 1930s, the need for a permanent, reliable crossing led the Country Roads Board to begin building a bridge across the deep and rugged Snowy River gorge. Construction took place between 1931 and 1936. However, in January 1934, just days before the original bridge was scheduled to be officially opened, a record-breaking, freak flood swept the entire superstructure down the river.A World-Renowned Engineering FeatRather than giving up, the Country Roads Board redesigned the crossing with bold innovation. The second bridge was built 15 feet higher than the great 1934 flood level. Workers utilized welded-steel trusses seated on tall reinforced concrete piers, topped with a traditional timber deck spanning 255 meters long.Because of the necessity for economic innovation during the Great Depression, the bridge served as a testament to pioneering electric arc-welding, which was highly advanced for its time. Upon completion, it was claimed to be the longest welded-steel-truss road bridge in the world and attracted global engineering interest.

McKillops Bridge TodayThe official opening of the rebuilt bridge took place on December 20, 1935. Today, it remains a heavily visited, albeit remote, historical and aesthetic icon in Victoria. Accessing the bridge via McKillops Road is a demanding, single-lane drive, which you can read more about on the Visit NSW portal.