Slice of history at Sale Swing Bridge (Victoria, Australia)
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The oldest surviving Swing Bridge in Australia is only 4.5 km from the Port of Sale in Victoria, Australia and makes a great picnic spot with a slice of Australian history.
First decision: drive or walk/run/ride? Driving is easy with lovely views between the township Sale and the Swing bridge. The alternative is the scenic bike and walking track that follows the Thomson River from the Port of Sale.
Brief history of the Sale Swing Bridge
So, what makes this bridge worth visiting? Well, it was built in 1883 by the Victorian Government and was the first movable bridge in Victoria.
Prior to this, a punt had been used to bring goods and supplies to the region. The punt was then replaced with a wooden bridge. However, it wasn’t high enough to allow vessels to pass underneath so a new bridge design was needed.
If you haven’t guessed already, the new design was for a bridge that could swing open.
The bridge was designed by John Grainger who was also the engineer for the Sale Water Tower and Princes Bridge in Melbourne amongst other achievements. The historical and engineering significance of the Swing Bridge has been recognised by the Heritage Council of Victoria and is included in the Engineering Heritage Register by Engineers Australia.
The swing bridge is still in use today to allow boats to move between the Port of Sale and Gippsland Lake system. Although you will no longer see the Bridge Keepers who were on call 24hr/day to manually open the bridge whenever needed. Now the bridge is opened with a generator at scheduled times to allow the passage of boats. Missing the scheduled time results in paying a hefty fee to have the bridge opened!
What to expect
The Swing Bridge provides a peaceful setting with the convergence of the Thomson River and Latrobe River. Take the time to explore below and above the bridge to be transported back in time and see how things worked without the aid of electricity or generators.
EXPLORE | Looking for more adventures in the Gippsland region? Check out the other Gippsland blog posts for inspiration.
Cost to visit the Sale Swing Bridge
Wonderfully, there is no admission fee for visiting the historic bridge.
Getting There
The Swing Bridge is a short (~5 minute) drive from the Sale township along the South Gippsland Highway. Don’t worry if you miss the first entrance, there are two roads into the bridge. Also, map programs might refer to this as the La Trobe Swing Bridge.
An alternative to driving is to ride or walk the 4.7km from the Port of Sale to the Swing Bridge following the Thomson River.
Self drive is the best option. This also gives you the opportunity to explore the region more.
PLAN | Need car rental? Check out RentalCars.com
When to visit
Viewing the Swing Bridge can occur at any time. However, timing your visit to coincide with the opening will enhance the experience.
Opening times for the swing bridge at the time of publication were:
Saturdays and Sundays: Between 3.00pm and 4.00pm
Second Wednesday of every month: Between 11.00am and 12.00pm
PLAN | Sale is in the state of Victoria which has a varying climate. Read this post for the best time to visit.
How long to visit
Allow at least 1 hour to explore the Swing Bridge.
Places to eat
One of the wonderful things about the city of Sale is the ample picnic locations!
Choose somewhere near the Swing Bridge or along the Port of Sale. There are endless locations to picnic around Lake Guthridge and the Sale Botanic Gardens which are only a short drive away.
If a picnic doesn’t sound enticing, head to The Dock Expresso Bar located within the port precinct.
Alternatively, go into the main Sale town area and find something delicious.
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Where to stay
Ready to rest after a day of exploring? The city of Sale has plenty of options for hotel accommodation, and also has a motor village with cabins including a pet friendly cabin.
Things to do nearby
Combine your Port of Sale cruise with a visit to the:
- Sale Water Tower which is open from 2.00pm – 4.00pm every Saturday.
- Port of Sale Heritage Cruises.(Saturday or Sunday 2.00pm cruises arrive while the Swing Bridge is being opened. The cruise then goes under the open bridge).
- Port of Sale for fishing, skate park, playground and picnic areas.
- Gippsland Art Gallery to admire the incredible art.
- Sale Botanic Gardens and Lake Guthridge which have excellent walking tracks and playgrounds.
- Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve with kilometres of tracks and boardwalks to admire the wetlands.
- Aqua Energy leisure centre with indoor and outdoor pools.
Final thoughts
A visit to the Swing Bridge in Sale is an enjoyable and informative activity, especially if you time your visit to coincide with the opening of the bridge.
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