Spiky Bridge
A 19th-century stone bridge south of Swansea, built by convicts. Its parapets bristle with sharp upright slabs of stone, giving it a distinctive look.
Spiky Bridge was built around 1843 by convicts from the nearby Rocky Hills penal station, using local stone laid dry, without mortar. Along the top of both parapets, rows of sharp stone slabs stand upright like spikes. Their purpose is still debated. Some say they stopped cattle from falling off the bridge, while others say they were a convict prank. There is a parking spot and an interpretive sign beside the bridge. Directly opposite is the beach at Great Oyster Bay, with views across to the Freycinet Peninsula. Admission is free. Ten to twenty minutes is enough, and it's often combined with a visit to the town of Swansea.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Freycinet Marine Farm
- Hazards Beach
- Devil's Corner Cellar Door
- Mount Amos
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay
- Wineglass Bay
- Friendly Beaches