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Foley's Bridge over Tullaroop Creek

Other Name Six Mile Bridge Location Mt Cameron-Glengower Road,, GLENGOWER VIC 3370 - Property No B7068 File Number B7068 Level Demolished/Removed

[1/2] B7068 Foleys Bridge [2/2] B7068 Foley's Bridge

Statement of Significance

Foley's Bridge is historically, scientifically and aesthetically significant at State level:- as the most authentic and original of two large 'humped' timber bridges to survive in Victoria; for its remnant continuous spliced and keyed girders; and for the integrity of its historical landscape setting, isolated and secluded from modern intrusions.
It is an eight-span all-timber road bridge, with a distinct humped profile, and skewed timber abutments and piers. Each span is about eight metres, with a total deck length of sixty metres. This highly unusual all-timber bridge was constructed where the Mt Cameron-Glengower Road crosses the Tullaroop Creek, at some unknown date prior to 1900. Local tradition dates this bridge to about 1895, but it may well be considerably older.
The bridge is of historical significance for its strong associations with the history of deep-lead goldmining in the Ullina district, and in particular with mining projects of the famous Berry group of British-financed companies that were so central to the dramatic culmination of mining in the Clunes-Smeaton area. Foleys Bridge was once used by bullock drivers in hauling big loads of firewood and underground framing timbers, laths and props from forests in the north-west to deep-lead mines in the Smeaton district. The bridge also dates from a period when Sir Alexander Peacock, three times Premier of Victoria and a member of fourteen Victorian ministries, was both a keen political patron of the Shire of Talbot and intimately associated with the management of the Berry group and other local mining companies. It was constructed by Jenkin Bros., who also rebuilt the historic 'Government Bridge' in Clunes in the 1890s.
The bridge is of scientific (technical) significance for its many rare features that are representative of traditional colonial Victorian bridge building craftmanship. These include a 'humped' profile, unusual combined raker-stay piles at pier extremities, heavy squared 'caps' topping round timber piers, large shaped-timber corbels and associated squared stringers, tall and skewed timber piers, and a transverse-timber deck, with running planks probably added later for motor vehicles. Its remnant semi-continuous squared stringers, with spliced and keyed joins over the piers, are of a rare type, known to exist on only two other bridges in Victoria: the old Livingstone Creek bridge on the Omeo Highway, and the soon to be demolished Hopkins River bridge in Warrnambool. Humped bridge structures were a common practice in the nineteenth century, designed to maximise centre span flood clearance while minimising expensive approach earthworks. In the early twentieth century they rapidly became unsuitable due to the advent of motor transport. The only other humped timber bridge of comparable size to survive in Victoria is the much modified old bridge over the Avoca river at Archdale, near Dunolly.
The bridge is of aesthetic significance for its distinctive humped profile, old weatherworn timbers, and for its picturesque setting in a deep valley surrounded by open farmland that has seen little change over the last century. The landscape setting is enhanced by an old elm grove marking the site of Foley's long-defunct but historic wine shanty that gave the bridge its name. Also contributing to the setting are the remnants of the old approach road with cuttings and embankments dating from the gold era, and cable safety barriers from the early motor car era. The antique timber bridge fits neatly into its scenic pastoral surroundings, and is one of the State's most impressive and beautiful old road bridges. The bridge is currently by-passed by a concrete ford over the Tullaroop Creek, and the crossing is still a favoured picnic and fishing spot, and is used for camping purposes.
Classified: 'State' 07/08/2000