Taradale Viaduct

Completed in 1862, the viaduct was the last major work to be completed on railway line between Melbourne and Bendigo and was the longest metal girder bridge in Australia at the time of its construction. Funded by the overflowing coffers of government gold revenue, the Taradale Viaduct is estimated to have cost in excess of 140 000pounds and possibly as much as 230 000pounds.

The final stone of the viaduct was laid at a modest ceremony on the 8th September 1862 by Mr CG Duffy, President of the Board of Works. Although a banquet at the Royal Mail Hotel followed, the real fanfare was saved for the opening of the line itself when an estimated 1200 people gathered to celebrate the occasion. Around noon on the 25th of October 1862, the official train reportedly passed slowly over the viaduct and the cheers of the spectators were acknowledged by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria and JVA Bruce (of Cornish & Bruce). Newspapers reported that a children’s picnic and sports day which was paid for by public subscription, was held at the nearby Police Paddock and following the games, locals were able to traverse and inspect the viaduct which workmen had decorated with three flag festooned triumphal arches for the occasion.