Local Government
Ashburton
Region
Pilbara
over Ashburton River, Minderoo Stn Onslow
Pt Twitchin Rd
Bridge No 841
Minderoo Bridge
Ashburton
Pilbara
Constructed from 1929 to 1932
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 17 Feb 2026 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 25 Oct 2013 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 17 Aug 1999 | Category C | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 17 Feb 2026 | Category B | |
The Ashburton Road Bridge has aesthetic, historic and social cultural heritage significance. Strongly built to withstand harsh conditions of th North West, the bridge is an important link for road transport in the outback. Despit some changes to the handrail and decking the bridge remans virtually intact since it's original construction over 75 years ago. Historically the bridge has some significnace to the state, as it was one of the first example of steel and concrete construction, a move away from the more traditional timebr.
The Ashburton Road River Bridge is located approximately 40 kilometres south-west of Onslow. The bridge is a composite steel and concrete traffic bridge, which carries Twitchin Road and associated traffic over the Ashburton River. The bridge encompasses four spans for a total of 74 metres in length and 4 metres in width, with a maximum height of 14 metres. The bridge rests atop a number of hollow steel tube piers, set into reinforced concrete. The steel joists supporting the decking are attached directly to the tops of the hollow piers. The original deck was composed of jarrah, although the current surface is bitumen.
The bridge over the Ashburton River at Camel Pool was first proposed in 1925 after pastoralist Mr Forrest identified the highest and narrowest point of the river as the ideal crossing. Despite concerns that flooding regularly cut access to Beadon Jetty and disrupted shipping, the estimated £5000 cost was considered too high and the project stalled. A detailed inspection was undertaken in 1927 between Minderoo Station and Ten Mile Pool. In 1928, resident engineer C. Field and assistant F. Brennan carried out boring tests, and later that year engineer Ernie Godfrey, newly arrived from Victoria to lead the Main Roads Board’s Bridge Section, prepared the final design. By January 1929 the design was announced, now priced at £10,000. In August 1929 the tender from Atkins and Gorham for £15,303 was accepted, marking a shift away from traditional timber structures to a steel-and-concrete bridge. The project may have been linked to unemployment relief, with local labour prioritised. Construction finished in May 1932, and the bridge was officially opened by Robert Mervyn Forrest, who noted it was the only bridge of its kind in Australia at the time. Major maintenance included reconditioning the steelwork in 1963, deck repairs in 1965, and replacement of the jarrah deck with a concrete overlay and steel handrails in 1992.
High. The structure has been in continuous use as a road bridge since 1932. The handrail and decking appear to be the only original elements that have been replaced.
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| The West Australian, The North West an Ideal Home, Friday 18 September 1925, pp. 12 | The West Australian | 18 September 1925 | |
| Northern Times, Onslow News, Thursday 19 May 1932, pp. 5 | Northern Times | 19 May 1932 | |
| Northern Times, Ashburton River Bridge, Thursday 12 September 1929, pp. 4 | Northern Times | 12 September 1929 | |
| State Heritage Office, Register Committee Report for Ashburton Road River Bridge, October 2013 | State Heritage Office | October 2013 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Road: Bridge |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | CONCRETE | Concrete Block |
| Other | METAL | Steel |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Road transport |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.