Hawthorn Bridge, Road and tram bridge near Burnley, Australia

Hawthorn Bridge carries Bridge Road in Richmond across the Yarra River to Burwood Road in Hawthorn, five kilometres east of central Melbourne. It is a riveted wrought iron lattice truss structure with bluestone abutments and piers, widened in 1890 by extending the piers to triple arches and adding a further truss girder. Vehicles and tram routes 48 and 75 use the deck.

The bridge was completed in 1861 during the Victorian gold rush infrastructure wave. Its original iron components caught fire aboard a ship in Hobsons Bay, causing delays before construction could finish.

The bridge served as the terminus of Melbourne's first tram line and shaped how the city's transportation network developed. It shows how infrastructure connected different neighborhoods and changed daily travel for residents.

The bridge is easily reached on foot from Hawthorn and offers views of the river and surrounding area. Best visited in early morning or late afternoon when foot traffic is lighter.

The wrought iron trusses were salvaged from the Herald of the Morning, which caught fire and was scuttled in Hobsons Bay in 1859. Langlands and Co. bought the 320 tonnes of material for £2,000, repaired it, and sold 180 tonnes to the shires of Metcalfe and McIvor for the Mia Mia Bridge at Redesdale.