Manilla railway underbridges

The Manilla railway underbridges are two structures spanning Borah Creek and Oakey Creek, each built with wooden Howe truss frames and open deck designs. The railway track sits directly on horizontal beams supported by timber trusses underneath, creating a straightforward system for carrying trains across the creeks.

The structures were built between 1907 and 1908 by the New South Wales Government Railways as part of the new rail line connecting Tamworth and Barraba. They represented early infrastructure development in linking inland areas with the growing railway network.

The bridges received recognition on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999, marking their significance in Australian railway engineering history.

The bridges are visible from local roads that pass underneath the railway line, allowing good views of the structures from ground level. The best approach is to drive from Manilla town, as both sites are located a short distance outside the town centre.

The Borah Creek Bridge extends across seven sections with three central 10-meter spans, while the Oakey Creek Bridge comprises five spans of 10.4 meters each.