BRIDGES
OF MACEDON COUNTY Narelle Groenhout Bridges of Madison County, the modern-day love affair played out on the big screen by Clint Eastwood and Merryl Streep in 1995, was famously set against the backdrop the unique and beautiful bridges of the namesake county. Here we discover the Daylesford Macedon Ranges' own collection of unique and beautiful bridges.
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ere in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, we lay claim to some of Australia’s most treasured and fascinating bridges. The engineering feats, longevity and beauty of our local bridges deserve to be recognised and celebrated. A spectacular autumn day trip, meandering across the region and taking in our spectacular bridges, not only pays homage to the survival of the humble bridge but showcases their importance to the region’s history. The Malmsbury Viaduct is an engineering masterpiece constructed in 1862 using 132,000 cubic feet of Malmsbury bluestone. Taking over a year to build, it was constructed as part of the nationally significant Melbourne-Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway. It remains the largest masonry bridge in Victoria.
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With five arched spans reaching 152 metres, this incredible man-made creation has been featured in many local and international film and television productions, and is a popular backdrop for wedding photos. Before marveling at this iconic beauty, pick up some fresh, local produce from the Malmsbury Farmers’ Market (third Sunday of the month), then head down to the historic Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, where you can access the viaduct via a walking track. Make sure you stop and appreciate the Malmsbury Forrest Road Bridge as you continue your journey. This underplayed piece of regional history features beautiful brickwork and is deserving of a slight detour off the main road. Located in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, Woodend attracted Victoria’s elite in the early 19th Century, and was famed for its elegant guesthouses and private
homes. The Woodend Historic Bridge is a unique attraction. The single-span bluestone bridge features a flat segmental arch with prominent voussoirs and a string course at pavement level. The bridge was built in 1862 on the route to the goldfields. Over the course of time, it has been widened to cater for the growing population but remains sympathetic to the original structure. The bridge crosses the Five Mile Creek with a threekilometre walking track where you can fully appreciate the historic workmanship. Woodend offers fabulous bakeries, takeaway options, cafés and restaurants. If your bridge sighting adventure kicks off here, then a perfect breakfast to start the day is at the renowned Bourkies Bakehouse a short stroll from the bridge in High Street. For 30 years the bakehouse has never wavered from offering traditional bakehouse fare (just when you thought Long John cakes were a thing of the
