Address & Contact
Oodnadatta Track
Algebuckina SA 5710
Phone: N/A
Email: N/A
Web: N/A
The
Algebuckina Bridge is over half a kilometre long and is the largest
bridge ever constructed in South Australia and was built to carry the Ghan Rail Track in 1892 across the Neales River, which is prone to seasonal flooding. It was built by a team of around 350 men and is listed on the Register of the National Estate and on the State
Heritage Register. The
bridge forms part of the 'Old Ghan Railway
Heritage Trail'.
There are a number of things of interest including the three
graves in an area close to the north end of the
bridge, although only one is marked, being that of a
young prospector, James Helps, who drowned in the creek during a flood. There is the rusting remains of the 1948 FJ Holden that was hit by a train half way across the
bridge as the driver attempted to cross the rail
bridge during a flood. The driver survived. Nearby is the surveyed and marked site (1858) of the proposed Algebuckina township, and there are the remains of
mine shafts and building.
The
bridge area is for day use only. Please
camp on the east side of the
Oodnadatta Track closer to the
waterhole.