Wallaga Lake, Sapphire Coast, NSW

Although not the largest state in the federation of Australia, the state of New South Wales is quite large at 800,000 sq kilometres, larger than France at 536,000 sq. kilometres, and larger even than Texas at 696,000 sq. kilometres. One of the nicest areas of this state, is the South Coast, and within that, one of the nicest areas is referred to by marketeers as the 'Sapphire Coast'.

The small town of Bermagui hosts the biennial Four Winds Festival which is a treat for the ear and for the soul. As is the township as it straddles Horseshoe Bay, with its upgraded marina to house the fishing fleet.


A few kilometres to the north of Bermagui, nestles the hamlet of Wallaga Lake with its delightful timber bridge.

Noojee - hauling the timbers

The story so far ... built 1919, burnt down to 5' stumps by the reknown 1939 fires, rebuilt nearly immediately before the railway closed in 1954. Known as No. 7 ...


The bridge was originally designed to carry the weight of an N class steam locomotive, with the smaller J & K classes also using the line. When the line was beng dismantled, the Buln Buln Shire Council puchased the bridge from VicRail for one pound to enable it to be preserved.


The main piles are Grey Box and Yellow Box with Red Gum, and White and Yellow Stringybark being used for the cross-members. This bridge is classified by the National Trust.


The original piles were driven, but, on rebuilding, the new piles were butted and splced to the stumps of the originals. If you enlarge some of the images, you can see lengths of rusting metal bolted towards the lower portions of the piles. These are in an advanced state of deterioration and the government is devising methods of funding its restoration. Sounds like a case for a "giant, big, new tax".


Details:
Length 102 metres
Radius of curve 604 m
Maximun height 21 m
Spans 5 at 4.5 m and 13 at 6.1 m