Bridgewater On Loddon, Victoria

Bridgewater On Loddon is a town in north central Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Calder Highway, north-west of Bendigo, astride the Loddon River. At the 2021 census, Bridgewater On Loddon had a population of 341.[3] The rural area which surrounds Bridgewater on Loddon is named simply "Bridgewater".[4]

For the locality to the west of Portland, see Cape Bridgewater.

Bridgewater On Loddon
Victoria
The Loddon Bridge Hotel
Bridgewater On Loddon is located in Shire of Loddon
Bridgewater On Loddon
Bridgewater On Loddon
Coordinates36°36′0″S 143°57′0″E
Population341 (SAL 2021)[1][2]
Postcode(s)3516
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Loddon
State electorate(s)Ripon
Federal division(s)Mallee

The Loddon Shire covers an area of approximately 6,700 square kilometres, making it the seventh-largest municipality in Victoria by area. The Shire's population is approximately 8,600. The municipality is characterised by a number of small towns dispersed throughout the area.[5]

The Post Office opened on 1 January 1868 as Bridgewater-on-Loddon and was renamed Bridgewater around 1941.[6] The railway serving Bridgewater was opened from Eaglehawk in 1876. It was booked out of service in 2007.[7]

Bridgewater has a new swimming pool, a swimming hole and the river is about two minutes walk from the Loddon Bridge Hotel, opposite the Post Office.

When reasonable water levels flow, the Mill Rapid downstream of the Calder Highway bridge provides technical whitewater kayaking of Grade 3 standard, featuring a short, fast run. It should only be attempted by kayakers with an appropriate level of experience and training, and equipped at the very least with spray covers, buoyancy vests and helmets. Access is usually via local roads on the west bank. If approaching on the water from upstream, beware of entering the flour mill race area on the right (east) bank. Upstream of the Calder Highway bridge, kayakers and canoeists will have a pleasant paddling experience but may have to share the river with swimmers, fishers, and waterskiers.

The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Loddon Valley Football League.

Golfers play at the Bridgewater-On-Loddon Golf Club on the Calder Highway.[8]

Schools

In 2008, Bridgewater Primary School had around 32 students; four years earlier the enrolment had been 70. In 2017, the number of students had dropped to 23, due to parents working in Bendigo.

In 2018, the Bridgewater Bakehouse was awarded first place for Australia's best vanilla slice.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bridgewater On Loddon (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bridgewater On Loddon (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021. 
  3. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bridgewater On Loddon". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. "VICNAMES - The Register of Geographic Names". Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. "Towns". Loddon Shire. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  6. Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 19 February 2021
  7. "Eaglehawk Inglewood Line". Vicsig. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  8. Golf Select, Bridgewater-On-Loddon, retrieved 11 May 2009
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