Keilor in Brimbank, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Old Iron Bridge

1868

— Keilor Heritage Walk —

Old Iron Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, August 27, 2026

1. Old Iron Bridge Marker

Inscription. To cross the meandering Saltwater River, which is now known as the Maribyrnong River, many wooden bridges were constructed. A punt was used to transfer livestock at this crossing. Provision for the roadway system throughout the District was made by the collection of toll monies. The "Old Iron Bridge" was built in 1868 at a cost of £6000, two-thirds of the cost raised from local rates. It is constructed of wrought iron, brought from England, and is based on the rectangular tubular girder principle, resting on bluestone piers. Further river crossings have been developed because of the increase in population and traffic. In 1963 the adjacent concrete bridge of three spans was built and in 1987 the Calder Freeway Bridging was completed.

Friday 26th April, 1861

Proclamation
By His Excellency Sir Henry Barkly claiming the rates of tolls on Government Roads from 1st January, 1862. Rates give the tolls to be collected by the Board of Land and Works.

Tolls for Cattle Etc.

For every sheep, lamb, pig or goat - 1 farthing
For every ox, or head of neat cattle - 1 penny
For every horse, mare, ass or mule - 3 pence

Tolls for Passenger Vehicles

For every gig, chaise, coach, chariot or other such carriage constructed to carry passengers, if drawn by one horse or other animal - 6 pence
If drawn by two horses or other animals - -1 shilling
If drawn by three horses or other animals - 1/6d
and 6d for each additional horse or other animal drawing.

Erected 1991

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by Keilor Historical Society. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 37° 43.321′ S, 144° 50.339′ E. Marker is in Keilor, Victoria, in Brimbank. It is at the intersection of Old Calder Highway and Bonfield Street, on the left when traveling east on Old Calder Highway. The marker is roughly 100 meters north of the bridge itself. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 749 Old Calder Highway, Keilor VIC 3036, Australia. Touch for directions.

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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Keilor Hotel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St Augustine’s (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Keilor Cemetery (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Overnewton (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); Woodlands Historic Park

Old Iron Bridge Marker with the new Bridge in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, August 27, 2026

2. Old Iron Bridge Marker with the new Bridge in the background

(approx. 9.4 kilometers away); Hume and Hovell - 100 Year Memorial Marker (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); Anders Mauritz Hansen (approx. 9.8 kilometers away); Bulla War Memorial (approx. 10 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keilor.

Also see . . . Keilor Iron Bridge Old Calder Highway, Keilor. Sunshine Historical Society

This cast iron bridge built in 1868 replaced an older 1853 timber bridge that had been washed away. Prior to this punts and poor quality wooden bridges had been used to cross the Saltwater River.

The bridge provided an permanent structure for the traffic to and from Western Victoria.

Nearby Gumm's Corner (bottom) for a long time had provided a resting ground for the diggers on their way to the gold fields to the west.

(Submitted on September 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.