Algebuckina Bridge - Oodnadatta Track, South Oustralia
Drone footage of Algebuckina Bridge, situated along the Oodnadatta track in South Australia. Originally opened in January 1892 as part of the Ghan Railway, this bridge remained the longest rail bridge in South Australia for over 100 years, only being outdone in 2014.
Footage shot on Xero Xplorer V drone
Algebuckina Bridge South Australia with three workers Graves.
Three Graves Algebuckina Bridge
Some facts concerning the Algebuckina Bridge
Details
Written by Roger Sallis
At Algebuckina, some 58 kilometres south of Oodnadatta, a wrought iron bridge carried the former Alice Springs narrow gauge railway across the flood plain of the River Neales. Though no train has passed over it since the new standard gauge route was opened from Tarcoola, the bridge still exists today and has a rather unique and interesting history.
When planning the extension of the Great Northern Railway from Peake to Angle Pole (just north of Oodnadatta) during the 1880s, the South Australian Government decided that the crossing of the River Neales would require a rather long and substantial bridge. A tender was called on 29 March 1889 for construction and delivery of ironwork for the superstructure and was subsequently let to James Hooker who owned the Lion Foundry at Kilkenny SA. James Hooker was a boilermaker by trade and had already built several iron bridges for the SA Government to serve as river crossings near Kapunda, Undalya, and other places. However the contract for the Neales bridge was one of the biggest he had ever undertaken.
Government labour began sinking the cast iron piers in 1890 and by the time the first of the wrought iron arrived for the superstructure, most of them had been completed. Considerable progress was made during the first half of 1891 and the Public Works Report for the twelve months ended 30 June states that the abutments had been finished, the pier cylinders were sunk into position except for two or three at the northern end, and that eleven spans of the superstructure were in place. Eventually it was completed and opened for traffic on 8 January 1892.
It was intended to have it ready in time for the opening of the Warrina – Oodnadatta section of railway on 7 January 1891 but delays in delivery of ironwork to the Algebuckina site prevented this. A temporary causeway placed across the river bed for construction trains during June 1889 had to be used in the meantime, and it is during the life of this causeway that the only instances of the line ever being cut by River Neales floodwaters occurred.
The first such incident was on 5 February 1890 when the track was cut for sixty hours. The second happened on 8 April in the same year and lasted 168 hours, while a third took place during the ensuing twelve months though in this case; no trains were delayed. Less than six months after the bridge had been opened the track across the causeway was taken up.
Of some concern is the belief that the Algebuckina ironwork was originally intended for the river crossing at Murray Bridge SA. Nothing could be further from the truth, though it is possible surplus pier cylinder sections may have been used in the Algebuckina piers. The superstructure for the River Neales nevertheless was definitely built by James Hooker as mentioned, but the bridge over the River Murray was manufactured in the UK 22 years earlier. Perhaps the fact that the latter item was stored in pieces at Dry Creek after its arrival in SA while politicians argued over where it should be erected, coupled with the possibility that surplus material may have been used for the piers at Algebuckina, gave rise to the long standing misbelief. For the full story on why the Murray Bridge was not erected for five years after arriving from the UK, consult SA Parliamentary Paper No. 254 of 1877 and SA Parliamentary Debates, September 1867 and June 1872
Dimensions of the Algebuckina structure are: 19 spans, each 101 feet 6 inches (30.9 metres) long; total length 1,928 feet 6 inches (587.8 metres)—which is 51 feet 6 inches (15.7 metres) shorter than the Murray bridge—and 10 feet (3 metres) deep girders. It should also be noted that the width of the clear roadway on the Murray bridge is much greater than that allowed on the Algebuckina bridge.
This article by Roger Sallis was published in Pichi Richi Patter, Vol. 25 No. 1, Spring 1997. Editor's note: Minor amendments have been made to the metric conversions, and the original article stated that Angle Pole is just south of Oodnadatta however it is approximately 7.5 km NNE of Oodnadatta.
Algebuckina Bridge, South Australia
Around 580 metres long the Algebuckina Bridge is 58 kilometres south of Oodnadatta in South Australia on the famous Oodnadatta Track. Opened in 1892 it was a part of the original Ghan Railway. Its a great spot to visit and camp at on the Neale River when you are traveling the track
Algebuckina Bridge Camping - Oodnadatta Track
The Algebuckina Bridge camping area is set on the Peake Creek. The bridge is an old railway bridge which has been closed for many years however still stands tall. There are no designated sites and you can place your camper or tent anywhere along the creek.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO
and go to:
Algebuckina Bridge Oodnadatta Tk SA Outback Trip part 7 June 2019
One of our favorite places to camp along the Oodnadatta Track. A little dry this year but sunsets and the night sky is still amazing.
The Real Outback - Oodnadatta Track (Leigh Creek to Mt Dare). Ep.47 ROADTRIP AUSTRALIA
Here we go! We have just left the Flinders Ranges and now we are en-route to Mt Dare! Last year we started the Oonadatta track from Marla however we had car troubles and only made it the Old Ghan Bridge.
This time we were more prepared for our endeavour. We stopped in at the most iconic spots along the track, our favourite being Coward Springs and the Old Ghan Bridge.
Starting at Marree (the southern end of the track) means you start in an iconic outback town – the site where both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks begin.
There’s quite a bit to see at Marree
The Blitz Truck that belonged to the famous Birdsville Track Mailman, Tom Kruse
Grab a beer, a bite to eat, or stay overnight at the famous Marree Hotel
Historic Hergott Springs (just outside of the town)
The famous Marree Hotel: make sure you have a beer!
When you get to Coward Springs, stop and take a swim or should that be bath in the hot tub? (Yes, it really is a spring-fed hot tub, but there’s only room for 5 or 6 people).
Coward Springs is a popular campground, located next to a natural wetland and nestled beneath a grove of massive Athel Pines. Oh and for travellers with Optus cover it has its very own tower.
Coward Springs Campground
The campground can get busy here, but whenever we’ve stayed, we’ve always been able to find a place to camp a little away from others.
The current fees for the campground (2018) are $12.50 per adult, with children half price.
As well as the hot tub, Coward Springs has showers and toilets, camel tours (during winter), a small museum and several walks. If you’re into birdwatching then it’s a must!
The Bubbler
It will only take you a few minutes to drive out to these unique springs from the main track, and they’re well worth a look. They are hugely important water sources for the fragile ecosystem in this area, and were used by Arabana (Aboriginal) people for several thousand years.
The Bubbler is a great little spring that does exactly what it says -bubbles- but not quite as you’d expect.
Heading north again up the Oodnadatta Track, you’ll come to Beresford Siding, another of the old Ghan railway stops.
Beresford has a few things to look at. The prominent tower that’s pictured below was used for the desalination of artesian water which was used in the steam trains. Also, there are the ruins of the fettlers’ cottages to explore, a flowing bore and a tree-lined dam.
William Creek is the next stop along the way.
It’s most famous for its pub, where you can also get fuel, meals, ‘donga’ style accommodation and book flights over Lake Eyre.
At the very least, have a drink at the bar! It too has Optus cover
There’s a campground across the road from the pub (you can’t miss it – there is nothing else in William Creek!)
Heading north again, you’ll come to one of the best known sites on the Oodnadatta Track, and what is probably Australia’s most photographed railway bridge: Algebuckina.
The Algebuckina rail bridge is the longest in South Australia, at 578 metres in length.
Algebuckina is located on the Neale River, and there’s a series of permanent waterholes here, which make it fabulous place to camp.
Whilst many people camp right near the bridge, if you want something a little quieter, head back to the Oodnadatta Track and right across the road, on the eastern side of the track, you’ll find some Pink Roadhouse signs and a gate.
Follow these to a much quieter camping area, which is on the banks of another waterhole.
The drive north from Algebuckina to Oodnadatta is probably the worst section of the track, as there’s a lot of corrugations, some bulldust ruts and a series of sharp bends. They have been working to repair this lately.
Be very careful driving these bends. Several tourists have died on this stretch this of road, as they were simply travelling too fast.
Before you reach Oodnadatta, you’ll pass the Mt Dutton lookout and ruins. Mt Dutton was another of the sidings on the Ghan Railway. These ruins are on private station property, so if you visit them, please leave them as they are.
Oodnadatta. At last, you’ve reached the little town for which the track was named!
As well as food, fuel, automotive repairs, grocery items and tourist information, the Pink Roadhouse has basic accommodation and camping as well. Guess what? It also has Optus cover.
Want to see unseen footage and be more involved with our travels than you can support us at Patreon -
If you would like to keep up to date with our big lap of Australia then you can subscribe to us on YouTube and also follow us on
Website -
Facebook -
Instagram -
Algebuckina Bridge, Oodnadatta track.
Bridge opened in 1892 and the last train passed over it in 1980.
ALGEBUCKINA BRIDGE NEALS CREEK SA
OLD GHAN RAILWAY SA
William Creek & Halligan Bay Lake Eyre SA Outback Trip Part 5
Part 5 of our SA Outback Trip June 2019 where we visit William Creek & stay the night so we can travel down to Hailligan Bay to see Lake Eyre. Once again some beautiful sights.....
Algebuckina Bridge
The Algebuckina Bridge is a Victorian era railway bridge south-east of Oodnadatta, on the Central Australian Railway in South Australia. It was built by a team of around 350 men, working in extreme desert heat. and opened in January 1892. It was the longest bridge in South Australia until construction of the Seaford suburban rail line across the Onkaparinga River south of Adelaide in 2014. It comprises 19 spans each 100 feet (30 m) long. The bridge crosses the floodplain of the Neales River.
Great Free Camp
Oodnadatta Track Outback South Australia
A trip from Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Painted Desert - Oodnadatta Track, South Australia
Oodnadatta Track Makers
The 660km unsealed Oodnadatta track is one of Australia’s most famous outback roads. For Checky it’s a levelling experience spending day after day moving and shaping gravel into a road with a smooth finish.
BMW R1200GS Adventure - Oodnadatta Track - Algebuckina Crossing
The old Algebuckina railway bridge is the longest in South Australia at 578 metres and crosses the Neales River on the Oodnadatta Track. The rusty car wreck seen quickly at the beginning (a 1948 FJ Holden) was hit by a train half way across the bridge as it attempted to cross the rail bridge in a flood. There were only 3 trains a week and this one was running late. The Neales River feeds Lake Erye and is a welcome relief from the vastness and nothingness of this remote Outback area as seen after the crossing when the vegetation subsides.
Kulgera to Oodnadatta via Dalhousie springs
September 2016
Outback Adventures- Oodnadatta Track, South Australia
In April we ventured into South Australia's outback through the Flinder's ranges, following the Oodnadatta track into Coober Pedy. We had such an incredible time and we highly recommend this track to anyone who's prepared for the conditions of the outback! This video shares just a glimpse of what the track is like.
Want to see more Australian travel content? Find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and check out our website, ourmigrationpatterns.com
Video 412 - Warrina Sidings to Algebuckina Bridge
DashCam video from the Oodnadatta Track. This provides you with the ability to virtually drive in the Australian outback. This video takes you on a 38km drive from Warrina Sidings to the Algebuckina Bridge
Interesting Sections:
- Back on Ooodnadatta Track 00:41
- Old Peak Telegraph Station Turn Off 04:48
- Cattle Grid 09:38
- Sudden 90 degree bend 11:56
- Peake Creek 16:18
- Approaching Albuckina Bridge Turn Off 27:55
- Turn off to Albuckina Bridge 28:10
- Albuckina Bridge and Photos 30:08
- Move to the highest point 30:42
- Highest Point and Photo 32:13
Paringa Bridge
Stand Up Paddleboard under the Paringa Bridge in South Australia
Algebuckina Camping Trip July 2016 - Russell's Version
Oodnadatta in South Australia reports temperature of 54 degrees Celsius
3/1/14 Oodnadatta in South Australia reports temperature of 54 degrees Celsius
The Oodnadatta Track - South Australia
The Oodnadatta Track in South Australia has become the main outback link road between the Flinders Rangers and Uluru.
It is one of a trilogy of iconic South Australian tracks along with the Strzelecki and Birdsville.
The Oodnadatta is undoubtedly the most interesting and picturesque.