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Knapsack Gully Viaduct Lapstone Zig Zag Railway

Knapsack Gully Viaduct

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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

Lennox Bridge – Blue Mountains

Lennox Bridge From Along the Steam

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.

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

Sea Cliff Bridge Wollongong New South Wales

Looking South Along the Sea Cliff Bridge Sea Cliff Bridge www.destinationsjourney.com

The Sea Cliff Bridge north of Wollongong was built to replace the old road that was damaged by storms and erosion. It connects the towns of Clifton and Coalcliff. This magnificent piece of civil engineering design has now become a tourist attraction because of its beauty and unique design. The views from on and around the bridge are fantastic!

Looking North Along the Sea Cliff Bridge Sea Cliff Bridge www.destinationsjourney.com
Looking North Along the Sea Cliff Bridge

Looking South Along the Sea Cliff Bridge Sea Cliff Bridge www.destinationsjourney.com
Looking South Along the Sea Cliff Bridge

If you are travelling south along the coast you will see the Sea Cliff Bridge before you get to it. There are no safe locations to stop north of the bridge so wait until you have crossed. You will then find a small amount of  parking places on the left hand side of the road (the ocean side). From here you can walk back to the bridge. There was s a pedestrian walkway on the ocean side of the bridge providing some excellent views of the bridge, ocean and the rocks below.

Below the Sea Cliff Bridge Sea Cliff Bridge www.destinationsjourney.com
Below the Sea Cliff Bridge

If you are driving north, there are no safe places to stop, so you will need to find somewhere to turn around and use the designated car places.

A great place to stop for a great view of a unique Australian roadway.

For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.

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