Name/TitlePanoramic view of the Morell Bridge, Yarra river and Parliament House, c. 1904
About this objectWide angle view of Morell Bridge taken from the east side of the bridge near the corner of Anderson Street. Looks towards the Botanical Gardens, Government House, stands at the MCG, city skyline. Rowers are visible under the bridge.
The Morell Bridge is an arch bridge over the Yarra River in South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Completed in 1899 by John Monash and J. T. N. Anderson, it is notable as the first bridge in Victoria that was built using reinforced concrete.
It features decorations on the three arch spans, including large dragon motifs and ornamental Victorian lights. The gutters on the bridge are cobbled bluestone, with a single lane bitumen strip running down the middle. The bridge is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Originally known as the Anderson Street bridge, it was named the Morell Bridge in 1936 after Sir Stephen Morell, who was a prominent Victorian businessman and Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1926 and 1928.
On 7 June 1998 the bridge was closed to motor vehicles as part of the CityLink project. It is currently used by cyclist and pedestrian traffic, connecting the Royal Botanic Gardens to the Olympic Park precinct. [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morell_Bridge]
In December 1941 a military transport crashed through the iron railings of the bridge, plunged 30ft. to the embankment, and rolled into the river. A soldier was drowned and 4 were injured. [Source: The Argus 15 Dec 1941 p.8]
MakerR. Vere Scott
Maker RolePhotographer
Inscription and MarksText in white ink on image : Alexandra Avenue and Botanical Garden Bridge Melbourne
Bottom right: Copyright R. Vere Scott
On verso in black ink: Morell Bridge / opened 1899 / Temple of the / Winds
MeasurementsSheet: 24.5 cm X 60cm
Image: 16.5 cm X 54cm
Period1900-1910
Object TypePhotograph
Subject and Association KeywordsMorell Bridge
Subject and Association KeywordsAlexandra Avenue (Melbourne, Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsRoyal Botanic Gardens (Melbourne Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsYarra River (Vic.)
Named CollectionImages collection
Object numberS-1335
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved