Salisbury Bridge

This historic footbridge was built in 1887. It was a lifeline to people working and living on the Quartz Range goldfield for 95 years until a roadbridge was built across this treacherous gorge in 1982. For 30 years or more, prior to 1887, goldminers were at the mercy of the turbulent currents and amazingly quick rise and fall of the Aorere River during flash floods. This first footbridge survives today, whereas the first roadbridge was swept away by a flood after only three years. For another 10 months in 1985 the footbridge again became the sole route in and out of the Quartz Range area. Children crossed twice a day to get to and from their school bus, and farming families kept vehicles at both sides of the swingbridge and became quite accustomed to the creaking and swaying as they carried across their babies and loads of supplies. To this day, the Salisbury Footbridge is a great attraction for visitors to the area and is widely appreciated as a testament to the skill and ingenuity of our early pioneers.

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