Clyde River bridge, Batemans Bay, NSW Australia 1972

This authentic colour photograph, captured in 1972, features the original Batemans Bay Bridge crossing the Clyde River on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The archival image highlights the bridge’s distinctive steel truss design and its prominent vertical-lift towers, which allowed large vessels to pass through to the upper reaches of the river. In the foreground, a flock of seagulls rests on a patch of grass and dirt near a weathered wooden jetty, while a classic white 1960s-era sedan is parked at the water’s edge. The far bank shows the quiet, forested hills and scattered coastal residences typical of the region during the early 1970s. This factual record preserves the appearance of the historic river crossing that served the community for over 60 years before being replaced by a modern concrete span. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.