Sale Swing Bridge

The Sale Swing Bridge is an iron truss bridge that spans the Latrobe River where it meets the Thomson River in Victoria. The structure features a rotating central section that can pivot to allow river traffic to pass underneath.

Built in 1883, this structure replaced an earlier wooden bridge to provide access for vessels to the Port of Sale. It represented an important advancement in Australian bridge engineering at the time.

Engineers Australia recognizes the Sale Swing Bridge as an Engineering Heritage National Landmark for its technical innovation in Australian bridge construction.

To watch the bridge rotate, plan your visit for designated opening times when the mechanism operates. Check ahead to confirm when demonstrations occur, as they are scheduled at specific intervals throughout the month.

The rotating mechanism uses a portable hydraulic unit mounted on a trailer that moves into position when needed. This portable approach is unusual among swing bridges and allows flexible operation without permanent infrastructure at the bridge.

Location: Victoria

Location: Shire of Wellington

Official opening: 1883

Made from material: iron

GPS coordinates: -38.14634,147.08686

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03