Completed in 1896, this was the first bridge crossing of the Darling River between Wentworth & Bourke. Prior to its construction, all stock & vehicular traffic crossed by punts, although at times, large herds of cattle were swum across the river, led by a trained bullock.
The bridge is a classical example of the vertical lift span bridges that were built over western NSW rivers in that period. Its steel truss construction is supported by cylindrical piers found on the river bed. The central span lifts vertically on wire ropes balanced by counterweights located at each corner tower, allowing river boats & their heavily laden barges to pass unhindered on the high river.
The bridge, now listed with the National Trust, is one of the few remaining examples of the 23 movable bridges built on the Murray-Darling river system.
