The drowning of 13-year-old Sarah Moore in 1885 provided the impetus for building the bridge. The inquest into her death was told of a small boat capsizing at the crossing place to Mrs Spain’s farms, also known as The Depot.

Nowra Municipal Council was petitioned by interested residents headed by James Mulley, a father of 12 who used the crossing so his children could attend school.

With the bridge likely to cost more than was anticipated, the Department of Public Works supplied the timber decking and galvanised wire rope. 

Plans and specifications were drawn up by civil engineer and surveyor Samuel Wells and by the end of 1886, under the watchful eye of Mayor Edwin Seccombe, the bridge was constructed.

In 2015, the suspension bridge was closed after it was damaged by flood waters and it reopened in December 2016.

Read the story: Ben’s Walk suspension bridge is open | story photo and videos.