Historical information

This is a photograph c.1895-1910 which shows the method of transport of goods to Orbost via the Snowy River. These boats and barges are moored at the riverbank at Orbost, and the bridge in the background is the Snowy River Bridge which was built in 1893. Goods were transported up and down the Snowy River between Orbost and Marlo. Along the river banks were many locations where farms could load their produce eg. bags of maize, onto barges and then transported down-river and transhipped onto larger vessels for transport to Melbourne. This was the main transport method prior to the coming of the railway in 1916, and the gradual improvement in road transport.

Significance

This photo is significant because it shows the main method of transport to and from Orbost and the Snowy River district from 1880s-1916.

Physical description

A sepia coloured photograph showing three boats at the bank of a river, one of these is a paddle steamer. The other vessels appear to be barges with sacks and other items on their decks. In the background is a white painted suspension bridge which crosses the river. On the bank of the river, adjacent to the boats are a some planks or skids. Men are on one of the barges.