It is more than just a bridge. Its graceful curved shape and rusty appearance are architectural features to fit in with its surrounds. From it there are excellent views of the city skyline and across the Galada Tamboore grasslands where kangaroos can often be seen. A short walk from the Rusty Bridge takes you down to a picturesque section of the Merri Creek where I recently had a brief glimpse of a platypus.
The Galada Tamboore has been a significant site for Wurundjeri-willam people for many thousands of years. The locals created tools near Merri Creek whilst looking out across the grasslands. Tool fragment scatterings from this work make up twelve sites considered to be archaeologically significant. These important sites also include scar trees, from which bowls and sometimes canoes were cut. The escarpment cliffs are valuable habitat to many reptiles as well as birds of prey such as kites, kestrels, falcons and eagles which enjoy the soaring updrafts. The north-facing slopes of the grasslands are warm and full of insects and therefore a great hunting ground for insect eating birds. Within the creek there is an ever changing waterbug life including dragonfly nymphs, caddisfly larvae, freshwater shrimp and needle bugs.
The bridge is most easily reached with a 400 meter walk from the Whittlesea Public Gardens at the end of Barry Rd, Thomastown/Lalor but can also be approached from the end of Barry Rd, Campbellfield or from along the Galada Tambore bike path.
The cache has room for small swap items.