This column's recent photo quiz featuring the rudimentary swinging bridge over the Murrumbateman Creek near Helm Wines (Roadside Treasures, March 25) prompted a number of readers to ask how many other swinging bridges are in our region.
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With their design based on ancient Inca rope bridges, nothing evokes a sense of adventure more than being greeted by an old rickety swinging bridge in the back country. Now while I can't be sure of the exact number in our region, as many are on private land, this week I went in search of our most photogenic swinging bridges; from those in country settings like the two beauties which span the Goobarragandra River on the Hume and Hovell Track near Tumut to the striking red suspension bridge over busy Belconnen Way. My only criteria for my quirky quest was that the bridge needed to be primarily for pedestrian access, not for vehicles. While this ruled out the famous Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley, I was still kept busy wobbling across a variety of crossings on rickety wooden slats, often just metres above icy waters. Brrr! Here are my Top 5.
1. Illawong
Arguably the most dramatically positioned in the region, this galvanised steel cable suspension bridge which provides access for skiers and bushwalkers heading up onto the main range, spans the virile Snowy River just upstream of Guthega Dam.
The current bridge, the third built on or near this site since 1958, was built by Illawong ski tourers (who have a hut located near the bridge) in 1971 to a design by Tim Lamble with assistance from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The first bridge, despite being four-metres above the river was washed away by a raging flood.
One can only begin to imagine all the adventures onto the roof of Australia which started (and finished) at this striking structure.
Not surprisingly, the bridge is recognised for its heritage value and is included on the Register of National Trust of Australia (NSW) and on the NPWS Historic Places Register and is the highlight of a short walk from Guthega.
I'd love to see a photo of it covered in snow.
The Illawong Bridge can be accessed via a delightful 5 kilometre (return) walk through Kosciuszko National Park from Guthega Village which winds through alpine heath and towering, majestic snow gums, all the way up to Illawong Hut, one of the oldest buildings still standing in the park. Allow 2-3 hours. Note: the walking track is often closed in winter (June to October long weekends) as it is inaccessible due to snow.
2. Queanbeyan
Possibly the region's best-known, this 30-metre long steel cable suspension footbridge over the Queanbeyan River is actually the second crossing built at this site.
The first, finished in 1901, was destroyed by the great flood of 1925 and not replaced until 1938.
Built partly with labour from a work for the dole scheme, this handsome timber-decked landmark is popular with cyclists, walkers and also nature lovers who stop to try and spot platypus and water rats frolicking in the water below.
Gail Neuss, of Googong, confesses that when she was a student at nearby St Benedict's High School (now closed) in the early 1980s, she and her friends "got great pleasure out of making the bridge sway when some old lady was trying to cross it."
This Akubra-clad columnist can attest that similar behaviour still occurs, only the target seems to have changed from little old ladies to men who dress like over-grown boy scouts.
Not good when you suffer a little from vertigo. At least I grabbed my hat before it toppled off.
This heritage listed pedestrian suspension bridge crossing the Queanbeyan River is located at the intersection of Isabella and Collett streets.
3. Numeralla
While the Queanbeyan suspension bridge is well-known to Wolf Heyer, of Cooma, who used to work as a Design Engineer for Queanbeyan Council, his personal favourite is the 75-metre long suspension bridge built by owners of Dangelong Station near Cooma. "I was told by the owners that it allowed stock to cross from one side of the Numeralla River to the other when times were much wetter, possibly in the mid-1900s," explains Heyer, who photographed the bridge in 1999.
The wonky crossing which features multiple strands of fencing wire and timber fencing panels as slats looks challenging for a trapeze artist to negotiate, let alone for stock. "They must have had their sheep well trained!" exclaims Heyer.
Although the dilapidated bridge was once readily accessible to the public, when your columnist attempted to visit the bridge this week, I was met by a locked gate bearing a "Do not enter" sign so could only view the bridge from afar.
4. Lake Crackenback
Built just 10 years ago, the 15-metre long swinging wooden bridge at this Snowy Mountains resort is one of the newest on our region and forms part of a low ropes adventure course.
The office window of Rebecca Hedger, the resort's marketing manager, looks over the bridge and she admits: "I just love seeing everyone clambering across it and someone else trying to get them off balance on the other end, it's great."
While predominantly the domain of kids and big kids at heart, it's also a hot spot for couples to pose for wedding photos.
Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa is 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback, about 2 ½ hours' drive south of Canberra via the Monaro Highway.
5. Thredbo
Spanning the Thredbo River on the 18-km multi-purpose Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) are not one, but three purpose built suspension bridges ranging from 30 to 42 metres in length.
Completed just a few years ago, this track has already exceeded visitor expectations, enticing cyclists and walkers into previously inaccessible mountain country.
Each of the three bridges have been made to last and have specially designed mesh deck to handle big snow dumps.
If you check them out, make sure you stop on each of the bridges for not only does it give you a welcome breather, but it'll also allow you to soak up the river and mountains views.
Thredbo is about 20 minutes' drive further south of Lake Crackenback. As the TVT is subject to seasonal closures, before leaving home, check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for-up- to-date access details.
Fact File
Suspension Bridges: Consisting of two pairs of pillars, one on either side of the span, with two or more cables slung between them, basic suspension (sometimes called swinging) bridges date back almost 2000 years, although the first modern examples of this type of bridge were built in the early 19th century. The main forces is these bridges are the tension in the main cables and the compression in the pillars, and since almost all the force on the pillars is vertically downwards, they can be made quite thin.
Did You Know? The world's longest suspension bridge is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, spanning a total length of 3 911 metres.
A bridge too far
Sadly, two of our region's best-loved swinging bridges, both on the Goodradigbee River to Canberra's west, were washed away by the one-in-a-hundred-year flood in March 2012.
1. Wee Jasper
This pretty valley has been home to at least two swinging bridges in over the last century. Wee Jasper historian Jennifer Barton, author of You can't eat scenery: Life in Wee Jasper 1850-1970 (2011), reveals that "Ken Grace built the original Wee Jasper swinging bridge with help from Bob Kerr in the 1960s to ferry goods across the Goodradigbee River to his house at Tommy's Flat."
Ina Cathles, long-time valley resident, remembers his dad "used to carry his piano accordion across the bridge to visit the Graces in the 1950s", adding, "thankfully he never dropped it."
According to Barton, "Sometime later, the Water Conservation Board built another bridge just down from Grace's bridge so they could record changes in the river height over time."
The second bridge became such a landmark that a camping ground was named after it.
Unfortunately the flood of March 2, 2012, swept the wooden crossing downstream and it subsequently became the only swinging bridge in Australia with a Facebook page. Fans of the page, which features video footage of the moment the bridge was washed away, hope that it will one day be rebuilt.
You can still pitch a tent at the shady campground but if you want to get to the other side you'll need to rock hop or be prepared to get wet.
Swinging Bridge Reserve is located 7km south of Wee Jasper village along Nottingham Rd, Swinging Bridge Reserve. Throw a line in or go for a paddle along the river. Bring your own drinking water and firewood. More: Wee Jasper Reserves, Ph: (02) 6227 9626.
2. Koorabri
Another casualty of the 2012 flood was the spectacular swinging bridge across the Goodradgibee River at Koorabri in the Brindabella Valley. The bridge, first built in 1912 and improved over time, was regularly used by current owners of Koorabri, Pete and Fran Smith to access their property when the river was running high.
"I'll never forget the first time I saw it," recalls Claire Lewis, of Crace, a regular visitor to Koorabri. "We came in through the gate late afternoon and all I could see was the form of the walking planks of the bridge but no wire to hold on to!"
"Of course, on closer inspection there was a wire," recalls Claire. "A rickety bridge it was though - getting our gear across was pretty precarious though our son said 'no problem' and walked across with the esky on his shoulders."
Koorabri is a private property in the Brindabella Valley. I'd love to see any historic photos of this bridge.
WHERE IN CANBERRA?
Cryptic Clue: It's elementary
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Last week: Congratulations to Gwenyth Bray, of Belconnen, who identified last week's photo as the old Tanner's Flat Recreation Area (also called Flints Crossing) on the Paddys (hence the Irish clue) River near Tidbinbilla. Several readers remember the picnic area fondly, with Paul Tomkins, of Calwell, recalling, "my wife and I used to picnic there when courting!" The photo was sent in by Justin Bush, of Bruce, who has "wondered for years why the picnic area is locked off."
This column's understanding is that the recreation area and picnic shelters were constructed prior to ACT self-government and that soon after a flood rendered the area unusable. The former picnic area is now included in the surrounding private lease and the shelter closest to the road was deliberately destroyed a few years ago to deter illegal camping.
How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday May 13, 2017, with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy cinemas.
CONTACT TIM: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick. You can see a selection of past columns online.