5 banging bridges to check out in Australia

When you leap behind the wheel of one of our awesome rental vehicles, you'll likely have a decent idea as to what you might see out there on the great Australian highway. Diverse wildlife, historic towns and endless blue sky will doubtless be your companions as you hit the open road, but it's also well worth keeping an eye out for other sumptuous sights that may not be on your list. 

Australia is enormous, so we need to keep all of our grand attractions neatly linked with world-class roads and a modern infrastructure to keep everyone moving. Even so, sky-piercing mountains, rushing rivers and deep gorges make up a sizeable portion of our nation, and of course, we need a way to negotiate such natural wonders – bridges.

Luckily, Australia is blessed with a wealth of beautiful bridges, several of which bear much historical significance or a certain architectural charm. Here are five of our favourites – and you know when the Sydney Harbour Bridge doesn't make the cut, you're in for a real treat!

1. Webb Bridge, Melbourne, Victoria

If only the Webb Bridge could drop the final 'B' from its name; this beast resembles a giant spider's web, with intricately woven metal looping and twisting over the foot and cycle paths that make up its 200-metre length. The Webb Bridge takes its name not from the gigantic arachnids you might sometimes find in Aussie, but rather because it's built from pieces of the old Webb Dock Rail Bridge.    

It carves its way along the Yarra River, and though you cannot drive on it, it's well worth parking up nearby and heading for a wander.

2. Ross Bridge, Ross, Tasmania

Found in the town of Ross around 80 kilometres south of Launceston, Tasmania, Ross Bridge is the third-oldest still in continual use in Australia. It was first built in 1822 with the blood, sweat and muscle of convicts (as well as logs and clay), but as time passed, the well-used bridge started to crumble. As such, the convicts were called back in 1829 to rebuild the bridge out of solid stone, with work completed in 1836.

Ross Bridge boasts three sweeping arches and no fewer than 200 carvings in the Celtic style – the meanings of which have since been lost in the shadows of time. The gently flowing river beneath completes an image that will always make for a superb photograph opportunity, so be sure not to pass it up.

3. Hampden Bridge, Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales

The Hampden Bridge is a throwback to ye olde castles of medieval England – you can almost imagine knights jousting, or perhaps a catapult being readied for firing across its span. No such events ever took place on this fine bridge, of course (at least we don't think they did!), but the impression remains.   

Hampden Bridge was built in 1898, and is the country's only wooden suspension bridge that remains intact today. The four sandstone towers soar high above the Kangaroo Valley, connecting the north and south of the area. In fact, you'd be hard pushed to find a a better place to cross the river that snakes through the Kangaroo Valley – but then, why would you want to?

4. Lennox Bridge, Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Found in the heart of the Blue Mountains, Lennox Bridge was the first arched example to be built in New South Wales, and today is the oldest stone arch bridge remaining on mainland Australia. Like its contemporary, Ross Bridge, Lennox employed the use of convict labourers in its construction, taking just a year to finish in 1833.  

The bridge takes its name from Scottish stonemason David Lennox, the man who designed the structure. Today, the bridge is perhaps among the most photogenic in the country – perfect for a dank Insta post!

5. Sea Cliff Bridge, New South Wales

When putting together the perfect Australian road trip, you simply have to include the Grand Pacific Drive as part of your plans. The name alone should be enough to tempt you, but the fact that you'll get to take in the Sea Cliff Bridge should be enough to tip you over the proverbial edge. 

For the best part of 700 metres, the Sea Cliff Bridge straddles the Pacific Ocean, offering unparalleled views of the big blue stretching way out onto the horizon. Found just over an hour's drive south of Sydney, the Sea Cliff Bridge also offers a host of places to pull over and take in the view – and if you're lucky, you could even spy a passing whale.

Whenever you're out and about on the streets of Australia, look a little closer at what you might be missing – that bridge or tree you just passed could have great historical significance! Do you have a favourite Australian bridge?