Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
First Princes Bridge, Melbourne
| — | Royal Historical Society - Victoria | — |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026
1. First Princes Bridge, Melbourne Marker
First Stage of Demolition 1884
The Princes Bridge location has long been the major crossing point of the Yarra, firstly using punts and then a wooden bridge from 1845. This large simple span granite and basalt bridge was opened in 1850 providing toll free access to the south side. Named for the Prince of Wales, it was replaced in 1888. The photo shows the destruction of the substantial first Princes Bridge. The present 1888 bridge was longer and spanned a river widened in order to mitigate floods.
Chares Nettleton was one of the great outdoor photographers in Victoria from the time of his a rival in 1854. The RHSV Collection has many fine examples of his considerable output.
Erected by Royal Historical Society - Victoria.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 37° 48.641′ S, 144° 57.371′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of A'Beckett Street and William Street, on the left when traveling west on A'Beckett
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Melbourne (Bird's Eye View) 1882 (here, next to this marker); Federal Coffee Palace (a few steps from this marker); The Flagstaff Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Melbourne 1880 (a few steps from this marker); Panoramic View of Melbourne (a few steps from this marker); Exhibition Building - William Street (a few steps from this marker); The Home of the Historical Society of Victoria (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagstaff Gardens - Mapping 170 Years of Change (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.
Also see . . . Princes Bridge in 1883. City of Melbourne City Collection
Melbourne's Princes(Submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)Bridge we know today opened in 1888, but there were two earlier bridges that crossed the Yarra. The first wooden bridge was built in 1845 by Alexander Sutherland at a cost of £630. The second bridge (depicted in this drawing) opened in 1850. This bridge was made of stone and much grander than the original wooden bridge. Some thirty years later in 1883 tenders were first called for a third bridge, but it wasn’t until 1885 that Mr David Munro’s figure of £136,998 was accepted and the contract was signed. The foundation stone was laid in 1886 and the bridge opened on 4th October 1888.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 20262. First Princes Bridge, Melbourne Marker along A'Beckett Street
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
