Sandridge Bridge pedestrian plaza and precinct, by the Yarra River next to Queensbridge Street at Southbank, was completed in 2006. This initiative has transformed Melbourne’s River waterfront with a new pedestrian bridge over the river and a major open space plaza on the south bank, known as Queensbridge Square.
The $18.5 million redevelopment of the Sandridge Bridge was funded by the City of Melbourne and the State Government. It has transformed the bridge into a pedestrian and bike path, linking the north and south banks of the Yarra. It includes the Australian’s History Initiative and The Travellers.
The Australian's History Initiative
The Australian’s History Initiative on the Sandridge Bridge was envisioned by Melbourne businessman, Les Erdi. It records the history of Victoria’s original Indigenous inhabitants and all immigrant nations who have helped shape the diverse society of modern Victoria. There are 128 glass panels in total, running the length of the Sandridge Bridge recording the details of Indigenous peoples and immigrant arrivals, by country of origin since 1788 from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
Sandridge Bridge and The Travellers
The Bridge is also home to the magnificent sculptures known as The Travellers, a series of giant steel sculptures depicting the waves of immigrants who journeyed to make Melbourne their home. The Travellers is a series of 10 giant steel sculptures, each approximately 7.5 metres high. "They are of different cultures, they are of different places and they come to meet on the bridge. That's how Melbourne is," Lebanese artist Nadim Karam said of his giant figurines.
Nine of the 10 sculptures, represent Australian immigration from the convict and gold rush periods through to the refugee and professional newcomers of today. They symbolically follow the old rail route from the port to Flinders Street, tracing the path on which thousands of immigrants made their first journey on Australian soil. The final sculpture ’Gayip, which represents Victoria's Aboriginal communities, is stationed permanently on the river bank. Mr Karam was assisted in the design of Gayip by Indigenous artist, Mandy Nicholson.
The Travellers are a physical representation of our City’s diversity and tolerance. As home to people from more than 140 countries, Melbourne is a city that celebrates diversity and embodies tolerance.
Queensbridge Square
The $4.9 million Queensbridge Square development is a major new pedestrian plaza by the Yarra River. The project includes a public square, cafes, an amphitheatre (the Red Stair) and landscaped garden beds.
Queensbridge Square is a major public meeting space connecting Southgate, Southbank Boulevard, Queensbridge Street, the casino, the Freshwater Place apartment tower and the Sandridge Bridge, which leads to the Flinders Street Station and its underpass.
Northbank
The City of Melbourne’s $4 million Northbank development will host a range of youth-oriented activities, bringing vibrancy and creativity to the area and enhancing pedestrian and cycle links along the north bank of the Yarra. It will provide a space for art exhibitions, musical performances, or just hanging out by the river.
Factsheet
The Travellers factsheet (PDF, 243kb)
The Travellers factsheet (Text only, 340kb)