Undalya Bridge - SA

The most notable feature of Undalya is the local bridge over the River Wakefield. Built in 1879, by James Hooker who owned the Lion Foundry at Kilkenny SA. James Hooker was a boilermaker by trade and had already built several iron bridges for the SA Government to serve as river crossings near Kapunda, Undalya, and other places. The bridge is known locally by three names: Basket Bridge, Cradle Bridge or Coathanger Bridge. It has taken the full force of many floods and at one time was the biggest one-span bridge in South Australia. The bridge was bypassed with a new bridge slightly to the east of it in the 1950s and today only serves the local residents.

In 1889 the South Australian Government called for tenders to build a bridge over the River Neales and James Hooper was chosen as the builder to undertake this job. For James Hooker, this was to be one of the biggest bridges that he would build and is seen today by thousands of Outback travellers and is know as the Algebuckina Bridge on the Oodnadatta Track.

Next time you are passing through the beautiful Clare Valley, take time out to see this important bridge that outdates the famous Algebuckina Bridge.