Peering over the Bunyip River rail bridge, have you ever wondered about the stories it could tell? This bridge is not just steel and concrete. It is a testament to the growth and history of Bunyip.
The Bunyip River rail bridge stands as a crucial link on the Gippsland railway line. The line reached the Bunyip River in 1877. The railway terminated here until a bridge was built over the river. This marked a significant step in connecting the region to Melbourne.
Before the railway, the area was known as Buneep. It was named after a creature from Aboriginal myths, said to inhabit the swampland. The first route surveyed from Dandenong into Gippsland in 1847 used this name. The Buneep Buneep run, taken up in 1851, was bordered by the Bunyip and Tarago Rivers.
The construction of the railway changed everything. A new township was surveyed on the northern side of the rail line. Houses, shops, and businesses quickly appeared. The railway needed to cross the Bunyip River and therefore needed the Bunyip River rail bridge.
The Koo Wee Rup swamp, formed by the Bunyip River, presented a challenge. The land was impenetrable. It was covered in tall swamp grass and ti tree scrub. Draining the swamp was essential for development. In 1891, drainage works began south of Bunyip. Workers and materials were brought in by rail, highlighting the bridge’s importance.
Interestingly, the track up to the western end of the Bunyip station was duplicated in 1956. However, the section from Bunyip to Longwarry remains single track. This is due to the Bunyip River rail bridge. This bridge became a bottleneck.
The Bunyip railway station underwent several changes over the years. The electric staff system was abolished in 1988. The station was de-staffed in 1991. Despite these changes, the Bunyip River rail bridge remained a constant.
In recent years, the Gippsland line has seen upgrades as part of the Regional Rail Revival project. A second platform was constructed at Bunyip. The Bunyip River rail bridge however was not duplicated due to certain constraints.
Today, the Bunyip River rail bridge continues to serve the community. It connects Bunyip to the wider region. The bridge stands as a symbol of the town’s past. It also points towards its future.
As you stand here on the Bunyip River rail bridge, consider the changes it has witnessed. Think of the people who built it. Think of the trains that have crossed it. It is more than just a bridge. It is a piece of Bunyip’s story.