Lansdowne Bridge a sturdy stone structure stands proudly. It’s a testament to the skill of David Lennox a Scottish stonemason. He arrived in Sydney in 1832. He became Superintendent of Bridges. His task was to replace the many hardwood bridges that frequently succumbed to floods. Lansdowne Bridge built between 1834 and 1835 is one of his finest creations. The stone came from quarries along the Georges River near what is now East Hills. It replaced an earlier wooden bridge Bowler’s Bridge. This was named after the innkeeper of the nearby Bowler’s Inn.
Lansdowne itself is a suburb in southwestern Sydney. It’s located 27 kilometers west of the city’s central business district. Lansdowne’s name comes from the bridge. Governor Richard Bourke named it to honor Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice the 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne a prominent Whig politician. The suburb’s name sometimes appeared on maps as Landsdowne.
Lansdowne’s history is unique. It was subdivided into residential lots during the 1880s. Roads were laid out but remained unpaved. Few houses were built. The Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board later acquired the land. It remained largely undeveloped. This is why Lansdowne is mainly parkland.
In the 1940s Henry Lawson Drive a scenic route was built. It connects the Hume Highway at Woodville Road to Milperra Road at Milperra Bridge. Lansdowne hosted significant events. The sixth Australian Scout Jamboree was held there from December 1960 to January 1961. A Scout jamboree celebrated Bankstown Municipality’s 75th anniversary in September 1970.
In 1974 the Commonwealth Department of Urban and Regional Development took over the land. It became regional open space. Ownership was transferred to Bankstown Council. This land is now Mirrabeena Regional Park. The park was developed adding Lake Gillawarna and other ponds. Native walks cycle paths playgrounds and picnic areas were also added.
Another iconic landmark is the Meccano Set. This is an overhead steel framework. It holds traffic lights and road signs at the Hume Highway Henry Lawson Drive and Woodville Road intersection. The original structure was built in 1962. A near-identical replacement was installed in 2019. Lansdowne. It is a blend of history nature and a touch of quirky engineering. It is definitely worth exploring.