Bridge Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Destination's Journey

12 December 201922 July 2022

Knapsack Gully Viaduct Lapstone Zig Zag Railway

The Viaduct’s History

Designed by John Whitton, The Knapsack Gully Viaduct once formed part of the the Lapstone Zig Zag , which climbed the eastern side of the Blue Mountains to Glenbrook. The construction stands 40 metres high. and 118 metres long, making it an impressive structure when viewed from below. Originally used for rail transport, the bridge was modified in 1926 becoming a section of the Great Western Highway for normal vehicle use. The upgrade of the M4 however, has bypassed this section of road. This is great as it can be used for bikes, and hiking, as there are some great walking tracks nearby. This beautiful piece of construction is heritage listed.

Access to the Knapsack Gully Viaduct

Setting off from the car park at the trailhead, we found the walk to the viaduct very easy because it is flat and well maintained. From here, a steep track made of roughly formed steps descends to the base of the bridge. These are difficult to negotiate in places, but we had no issues with this because we wore sturdy footwear.

The reward for climbing down is a magnificent view of the viaduct from the valley floor, where the scale of the arches can really be appreciated. There is a canopy of vegetation, and large rocks, on which we were lucky enough to see a bearded dragon lizard sunbaking. We managed to take some great photos.

Climbing back to the roadway on the opposite side of the gully, we found the track blocked by fallen trees, so did a little bit of climbing to get over it. We really appreciated the walk and seeing this massive bridge in all its glory.

John Whitton Memorial

Sitting next to the trailhead carpark is the John Whitton Memorial. This obelisk has (or had – some are missing) plaques commemorating the viaduct’s construction. Specifically, they commemorate the designer, John Whitton and the builders who lost their lives during its construction. A short walk from the carpark, it’s worth looking at, along with th ruins of the gate-keeper’s cottage nearby.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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11 December 201911 December 2019

Lennox Bridge – Blue Mountains

Lennox Bridge in the Blue Mountains

Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Lennox Bridge (or the Horseshoe Bridge) is the oldest surviving stone arch bridge in Australia, If you are in the area it is worth a quick stop off the Great Western Highway. A parking bay allows you to park away from the road, making access to the bridge safer than parking on the main roadway. Steps lead down to Lapstone Creek which flows under the bridge, but they are rough and irregular, so take care. Before you go down the steps there is an information board with a brief history of the bridge.

During our visit, the creek wasn’t flowing, so with care we were able to walk under the bridge to see the stone work and archway. We also went a little further, as we had our boots on, which made it easy to see a little more of the natural setting, also great for taking pictures.

This was a quick stop, but great stonework in the construction of the bridge, was great to look at and well worth the time.

Stairs to the Valley Floor — Lennox Bridge From The Carpark

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

18 August 201820 August 2018

Paterson New South Wales

Travelling to Paterson From Singleton

Paterson is not far from where we live in Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley, so we took a leisurely drive there via Gresford when we had a free morning. On the way we stopped at Gresford for a coffee at the Crossroads Café which is a nice quiet peaceful location.

Webber's Creek Bridge on the Way To Gresford — Webber’s Creek Bridge on the Way To Gresford

Crossroads Cafe and General Store Gresford

Paterson

When we reached Paterson we had a look at the Railway bridge over the Paterson River from Wharf Park. The park is next to an old church and opposite the Court House Museum and a great place to start exploring the town. The court house is a nice old building well maintained presentable with some great photo opportunities. The town has some old buildings that are interesting to have a look at, so wander around the Main Street and have a look. We walked around St Paul’s Anglican Church and the cemetery out the back to view the graves some of which are very old and from the 1800s. Unfortunately many are in a state of disrepair with fallen headstones and damaged tiles and brickwork. This town has a nice country vibe about it, very relaxed with friendly locals. well worth the visit.