Here’s a real hidden gem!!!
This small bridge, consisting of three arches, was built in
1845 by convict labor from the nearby Rocky Hills Probation Station, probably
as part of the old convict built coach road which connected Swansea
with Little Swanport along the east coast road to Hobart. (Now known as the A3 Tasman Highway)
One of Tasmania’s numerous historic bridges, built during a
time when Tasmania was known as Van Diemen’s Land and was notorious as a prison
for secondary offenders, those who had committed a further crime after being
transported from England for whatever original reason that had bought a
sentence of 7 years, 14 years or life! Generally the convicts sent to VDL were
‘lifers'. Interestingly, many of these convicts were skilled craftsmen as
evidenced by this bridge and many more across Tasmania.
The bridge spans the outlet of the Old Man Creek at Mayfield Beach, approx 14kms south of Swansea on the east coast of Tasmania. It now has the existing east coast road built over the top of it. Fortunately the old bridge can still be viewed by walking 40m along a sign posted track down from the Mayfield Beach camping ground car park or by walking along the beautiful beach. The arches are only very small and I had to stoop very low to walk through the arch from one end to the other.
We are very fortunate that the bridge was saved from destruction when the new road bridge was constructed over the top and that we can still see this wonderful piece of early colonial engineering. The site has been promoted via tourism websites, by the local tourist information centre and by the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife service who have erected signs at the Mayfield Beach camp grounds directing people to the site.
It's a fantastic small piece of our colonial history.
Unfortunately this is all the information I've been able to find via the internet regarding the history of this bridge. If you are able to add any more information regarding the history of the bridge, please feel free to leave a comment.
