The Murrabit lift span bridge.
The Murrabit Bridge was opened in 1926 and was the first all-steel construction lift span bridge across the Murray River and was designed to carry road and rail traffic.
Using the winch lifting device, one man can lift the span in about five minutes.
The rail component of the bridge closed in 1961.
The rails survived throughout, until the early 1970's.
The rails on the lifting span survived until the early 2000's.
In 1850, a crossing was established at Gonn, near Barham, and soon a punt was provided. A rail link from Kerang was established upstream from the Gonn Punt and a bridge over the Murray completed in 1926 was known as the Gonn Crossing Bridge.
Because the bridge was located a long way from the original Gonn Crossing, a new town called Murrabit was established near the bridge, which is still used today.
The township of Murrabit was first surveyed in 1922. Allotments were sold in 1924. A hall and Anglican church were built in 1926.
The bridge provides a focal point, as the river is the major geographical feature in the area and the centre for most recreation. The bridge also provides a reminder of two forms of important transport...river and rail.
NOTE. Very close by is the " Margaret Keats MBE" park and picnic spot, a beautiful little park right beside the river, with a great view of the bridge.
Margaret Keats MBE was the first woman to graduate from the Melbourne University as a veterinary surgeon in 1923 and lived most of her life around this area.
An interpretive plaque in this park details all Margaret Keats history. She lived a full and interesting life. Miss Keats died in 1970,aged 75 and is buried in the Kerang cemetery.
Please enjoy the cache and admire the bridge and respect the environment.