London Bridge (New South Wales) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids London Bridge
Limestone arch known as London Bridge
Location	Burra Creek Nature Reserve, near Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Geology	Limestone karst meander cutoff

London Bridge is a cool natural rock arch made of limestone. It was carved out over a very long time by a creek called Burra Creek. This amazing natural landmark is found near Queanbeyan, in New South Wales, Australia. It's also not far from Canberra, Australia's capital city.

What is London Bridge?

London Bridge is a special type of rock formation called a karst arch. Imagine a river that used to curve around in a big loop. Over time, the water found a shorter path, cutting through the rock. This left behind the old loop, and if there was a cave or a weak spot, it could form an arch like London Bridge. This is called a meander cutoff.

History of Discovery

European explorers first found London Bridge in 1822. The group included Captain Mark Currie, John Ovens, and Joseph Wild. They were also helped by two Aboriginal guides, whose names are not recorded. This discovery helped map out the area for the first time.

Protecting the Arch

At one point, there was a plan to build a dam called London Bridge Dam. This dam might have flooded the beautiful arch. However, the area didn't get enough rainfall to fill such a large dam. So, the Australian Government decided to build a different dam, the Googong Dam, somewhere else instead. This saved London Bridge from being covered by water.

Today, London Bridge is part of the Burra Creek Nature Reserve. This reserve helps protect the arch and the nature around it, making sure it stays safe for everyone to enjoy.

• Map of London Bridge, New South Wales on OpenStreet Map