Towrang Bridge 1839

The Towrang Bridge, built over Towrang Creek, was constructed by convict labourers from the Towrang Stockade, located a short distance away. The Stockade functioned as the chief penal camp in Southern New South Wales from 1833 to 1843, with the bridge being constructed in 1839.

The bridge and nearby culverts comprise part of the construction of Surveyor General, Sir. T. L. Mitchell's Great South Road. The bridge and culverts provide insight into early road building methods and they are quite rare due to the many changes made to the line of the Hume Highway which have resulted in the loss of much of the original road.

It it believed that prominent colonial bridge designer David Lennox, who was responsible for the Lapstone Bridge in the Blue Mountains may have designed Towrang Bridge, though this has not been proven.

The bridge has a segmented arch and it is built of dressed coursed sandstone. The date 1839 was originally visible on the keystone and may still be made out if you look carefully. This beautiful bridge is an example of stone masonary in excellent condition, although major portions of the parapet have been removed.