Historic Dickabram Bridge, Miva QLD

Construction of this grand old rail and road bridge was completed in 1886 and it was a major bridge on the Kingaroy Branch Line (Gympie-Kingaroy).  Whilst the bridge was officially closed for rail early in 2010, it remains open for vehicles.

Dickabram Bridge is heritage-listed and is the oldest remaining steel truss bridge in Queensland, and the second oldest in Australia.  It stands 23 metres above the Mary River and is 191 metres long.  The bridge spans the river between Miva on the south-western side, and Theebine on the north-eastern side.

Whilst bridge repair work was taking place, we were able to take a walk across, but we are unsure if you are able to do this walk when the bridge is again open for vehicular traffic.  It was wonderful to stand so high above the spectacular Mary River and marvel at all the effort that would have been involved in constructing this bridge so long ago.

Miva Rest Area which is located right by the bridge has some fantastic information boards to read and serves as a nice vantage point from which to view both the bridge and the Mary River. You will find shaded picnic tables and toilets here.

Legend Has It:
One of three tragedies during the bridge building is a ghost story about a worker being entombed in the foundations.

Apparently, the worker disappeared, presumed dead, whilst wheeling a barrow load of cement – he is believed to have fallen into the wet cement in one of the four huge steel cylinder uprights.  No one at all saw the worker fall, but neither he nor his wheelbarrow were ever seen again. 

To this day, some people believe they hear strange noises from the bridge!  Such a sad story.

If you would like to see some aerial footage of Dickabram Bridge, head to our YouTube Channel where you’ll find this in our video titled Gunalda Bush Camping, QLD – Oh the Serenity.  You’ll find a time stamp in the video description that will take you straight there.