An easy and pleasant stroll is to wander along Chapel Street as it flows into Church Street. The road changes its name as heads into Richmond. This can be an interesting way to spend a bit of time in South Yarra. My favourite bridge is here.
Chapel Street Bridge on a sunny day
When you cross you can look down The Yarra to the city and gaze up stream as the river winds its way out of sight. There are often rowers and small craft and tourist boats that you can watch.
Looking down The Yarra to the city
The first bridge on the site was an iron girder bridge and built in 1857. The bridge we are looking at today was designed by the Australian architect Harold Desbrowe Annear, a local lad from Bendigo. It was opened in 1923 when the old bridge was dismantled
Going to Richmond
I love the bridge because for me it stands as a symbol of frivolity and grace against the back ground of all the surrounding high rises and this makes me feel happy. The surrounded buildings are very minimalistic in their design – none of the decoration that gives this bridge a whimsy and charm – even a feminine touch. I like to think the designer was from just up the road in Bendigo.
The bridge is surrounded by modern buildings
The best part of the bridge is the lamp holders. They are painted a dull mossy green that stands out against the while of the lamp shade.
Dark moss green paint around the lamps
The bridge was up-graded and strengthened in 2007 and I imagine these lamps were re-painted then The colour seems just right against the white glass. I hope you can see the green in this photo. It has been hard to capture the colour against the background as is such a dark green.
Check out this bridge if you are in area and see if you like it as much as I do and admire the green on the lamps.
You can cross the bridge by tram. The 78 runs from St Kilda to Richmond but the best way to see it is to walk.
