Darlington Point Bridge, Murrumbidgee River
Darlington Point on the Murrumbidgee River between the larger towns of Hay to the west and Narrandera to the east, was primarily a river port in the days of the paddle steamers. However, the railway reached the town in 1881 which was the main cause of the decline of the paddle steamer era throughout the Murray Darling Basin The last paddle steamers operated in this part of the Murrumbidgee around the late 1930s. Darlington Point was proclaimed a village on 18 May 1901.
Two bridges were built in 1905 to cross the Murrumbidgee. The main channel was crossed by a bridge which incorporated a steel bascule lifting span to allow steamers to pass. This bridge was 206 m long. The lift span had a roadway width of only 3.7 m meaning there was only room for a single lane. There was a further bridge to the north of the main channel over a flood channel, built at the same time and of 93.3 m length.
In December 1978 the old bridges were replaced by two new bridges alongside the old structures. The towers of the bascule span were reconstructed at the entrance to a nearby caravan park in 1979.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Historic Engineering Marker (HEM) |
| Award Date | November 1989 |
| Heritage Significance | The Darlington Point lift span bridge well llustrates the skill of nineteenth century Austraian engineers in the design of a very sophisticated bridge. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet | Not Available |
| Supporting Document | Available here. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | None Installed. |
