Skip to main content
Usitour
Historic Ruins & Heritage

Ross Bridge

📍 Bridge St, Ross TAS 7209, Australia
No photos yet
4.5/ 5.0
★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
Australia
Category
Historic Ruins & Heritage
Duration
1 hour
Address
Bridge St, Ross TAS 7209, Australia
Coordinates
-42.1850, 147.4930

Introduction

Ross Bridge crosses the Macquarie River in the centre of Ross in the Tasmanian midlands. Built in the 1830s by transported convict craftsmen, it is one of the finest colonial stone bridges in Australia. The sandstone structure has three well-proportioned arches, and its most striking feature is the 186 carved stones around the arches — cut by two convict stonemasons and bearing Celtic knots, animals, human faces and plant motifs, an achievement often described as a gallery in stone. Together with the town's convict sites, church and old gaol, the bridge forms a complete group of colonial heritage, well worth a stop between Hobart and Launceston.

✨ Highlights

01
Convict stone carving
The 186 carved stones around the arches were cut by convict masons and bear Celtic knots, animals and faces — a gallery in stone.
02
A three-arch sandstone bridge
Well-proportioned sandstone arches make it one of the outstanding examples of colonial bridge engineering in Australia.
03
The Macquarie River
The river runs beneath the bridge, its banks lined with trees — a favourite spot for a town walk and photographs.
04
Linked convict sites
The bridge, church, old gaol and convict sites form a complete colonial heritage group within walking distance.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time needed：About 20–40 minutes
→Good for：History and architecture enthusiasts, travellers stopping on a drive
→Opening Hours：The bridge is accessible and viewable at all times
→Ticket Information：Free
→Transportation：On Bridge Street in Ross, reached by car via the Midland Highway

💡 Tips

• The carvings read best in slanting light — early morning or late afternoon.
• The bridge carries traffic; watch for vehicles when photographing.
• The Four Corner of Ross and the Wool Centre are close by — walk to all three.
• The riverbank is a nice spot to rest, but it is slippery after rain.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Ross Bridge?

The bridge is accessible and viewable at all times

How much is the admission for Ross Bridge?

Free

Any practical tips for visiting Ross Bridge?

The carvings read best in slanting light — early morning or late afternoon. The bridge carries traffic; watch for vehicles when photographing.

How long should I spend at Ross Bridge?

A typical visit takes 1 hour.