History and heritage
Welcome to the Bridgewater Bridge history and heritage website
Spanning the River Derwent and standing as a vital link between the north and south of Tasmania, the Bridgewater Bridge is more than a piece of infrastructure – it is a landmark rich in history, engineering innovation and cultural significance.
Since the 1840s, the crossing point has been home to five bridges, each reflecting the needs and technologies of its time.
This site is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of the Bridgewater Bridge and the surrounding areas from the early Aboriginal history to the convict-built causeway and the transformation into a modern transport corridor.
Through stories, images and historic insights, we invite you to explore the legacy of a crossing that has long connected people, places and generations.
Artefacts
Several artefacts were uncovered during the New Bridgewater Bridge project. These objects help unearth the history of the area.
People
The area surrounding the Bridgewater Bridge has a vast history dating back to the Big River People, the Mumirimina clan, early convicts and colonists.
Natural environment
The area surrounding the Bridgewater Bridge location has always been naturally unique. Learn more about the native water birds and how the wetlands surrounding the bridge support the natural environment of the estuary.
Built environment
The River Derwent Crossing between Granton and Bridgewater has a long history, with successive bridges built over the years that allowed for safe passage across this section of the river.
Bridgewater today
The bridge’s opening, marked by a memorable ribbon-cutting ceremony and an inaugural drive by lifelong locals became a moment of pride and reflection, connecting generations and celebrating Bridgewater’s identity.
Education resources
Browse free, printable, colouring picture representing the history and natural environment surrounding the Bridgewater Bridge. Print them out and have some fun colouring them in while learning about an essential part of Tasmania's history.
Interactive discovery map
To interact with the map below, click on a point of interest to discover more.
Statement of and for Country
Palawa people of Lutruwita (Tasmania) have been here since the time of Creation; since two Star Brothers, Muyini and Rrumitina created Palawa, the First Ancestor to walk on this earth.
The Big River People’s territory was the largest in size of all the First Peoples of Lutruwita – more than 8,000 metres2.
Tribal boundaries were geographical features such as rivers, lagoons, and mountains.
Both sides of Timtumili Minanya (River Derwent) including the river, surrounding lands, waters and skies are the homelands of the Big River People, with the Jordan River acting as a border between the Big River and Mumirimina lands. The Jordan River flows into Timtumili Minanya around where Home Hill is now.
For millennia Big River families lived within their country.
An abundance of freshwater and marine resources, land animals, birds (and their eggs), and plants provided sustenance and enabled the people to subsist in a sustainable way.
Long-held cultural knowledge and an innate connection with the environment informed every aspect of their daily lives. Reciprocity was key to the survival of all species.
Agreements between the Big River people and the Mumirimina and other Oyster Bay clans were long-standing, and included permissions to access each other’s territory; ‘marriage’ and other important ceremonies.
They would come together at significant times and places to hunt, after which they would celebrate together. Their meeting place was where the first a causeway was built, and then various iterations of what is to be the ‘newest’ Bridgewater Bridge.
Big River People witnessed the ‘creep’ of the colonisers.
For the settlers this new access point meant progress. For the Big River and Mumirimina peoples it was devastation of their way of life; of their cultures and of their people.
The illegal ‘gifting’ of their lands to settlers locked them out of their own country – unable to access hunting grounds, living places and ceremonial places.
While there are no living descendants of the Big River people, descendants of many of the original settlers who received land grants continue to benefit from those stolen lands.
Any physical evidence of the Big River people having been in this part of their country has either been severely impacted or destroyed forever due to the building of hard infrastructure, such as the Causeway, and later bridges and dwellings.
This is part of the tragedy of the Big River People who are no longer here, and the surviving Palawa Community of today.
We remember them, and pay our respect to the Elders – past and present.
We are Country. Country is us.