There's more to Norfolk Island There's more to Norfolk Island

You’ll often hear that much of Norfolk Island was built with convict blood, sweat and tears, and it’s no exaggeration. Legend has it that during the construction of Bloody Bridge, a tyrannical overseer pushed his work gang to breaking point and ended up with a pickaxe imbedded in his skull.

Fearing a punishment even worse than their overseer’s grizzly fate, the convicts swiftly walled their tormentor into the bridge’s stonework. Feigning ignorance when questioned about the sudden disappearance, all went well for the work gang, until the replacement overseer noticed blood oozing from the still-wet mortar!

Ground view shot of old stone Bloody Bridge and grass covered slope.
Side view of historic stone bridge, Bloody Bridge, fenced on one side and surrounded by sloping grass and pine trees.
Two cows grazing on the lush green grass beside the end of the old grey stone Bloody Bridge.
Side angle close up shot of the lichen covered grey stone of Bloody Bridge.
Cow crossing Bloody Bridge with several cows grazing in the background on the grass by the road and pine trees.
Side view of the edge of the Bloody Bridge and grassy slope.

Visitor Information

Operating Hours:24/7

Cost: Free

Getting Here: In Kingston, at the eastern end of Quality Row. A 10-minute drive from Burnt Pine.

Top tips for Bloody Bridge

  • Despite its grim name and gruesome history, Bloody Bridge is exceedingly picturesque and is set in one of the island’s most enchanting spots, where you’ll also find Music Valley. This property is chock full of beautiful plants and is open for guided tours. Ask for tour details at our Visitor Information Centre.
  • Photographers should visit Bloody Bridge after rain when Music Creek comes to life, tumbling through the bridge’s tunnel and into the nearby waters of Cemetery Beach.
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More attractions at Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site

All Saints Church

All Saints Church

All Saints Church also serves as a museum. Discover incredible artefacts from Norfolk’s history and join a Sunday service to meet locals.
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The Commissariat

The Commissariat

Visit the Commissariat to learn about Norfolk’s convict past. This historic building once held food supplies for the convicts and jailers on Norfolk Island.
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Fletchers Mutiny Cyclorama

Fletchers Mutiny Cyclorama

Norfolk Island’s history unfolds at Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama, a 360° painting that depicts the mutiny on the Bounty.
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Norfolk Island Golf Club

Norfolk Island Golf Club

Play golf on Norfolk Island for a truly memorable experience. Tee off in a World Heritage Site overlooking the ocean.
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Government House

Government House

Government House is a stately mansion and home to the Administrator of Norfolk Island. Learn more on a museum tour of our historic centre, Kingston.
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Historical Photo Display - Lions Club House

Historical Photo Display - Lions Club House

Formerly the Surgeons Quarters, today this resilient little building houses a fascinating collection of photographs which bring the history of our island to life.
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Kingston Pier

Kingston Pier

Visit Kingston Pier, which was a vital entry point for Norfolk’s settlers and still welcomes supply ships and fishing boats as it has done for two centuries.
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Lone Pine

Lone Pine

Bring your camera along to capture this solitary tree that survived the mass felling of Norfolk pines and stood sentry over the island’s turbulent history.
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New Military Barracks

New Military Barracks

The New Military Barracks may be Norfolk’s administrative centre today, but it also has an interesting history.
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No. 10 Quality Row

No. 10 Quality Row

Turn back to Norfolk Island’s convict chapter at No. 10 Quality Row, now a museum. Learn about the home’s inhabitants as you wander through the restored interior.
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Norfolk Island Cemetery

Norfolk Island Cemetery

Our fascinating history takes on a new dimension at the Norfolk Island Cemetery. Read the grave stones marking two centuries of life on this South Pacific island.
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Old Military Barracks

Old Military Barracks

The Old Military Barracks have served many purposes over the years. Visit the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site to find out what important roles it has played.
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Pier Store

Pier Store

Learn about the mutiny on the Bounty and our Pitcairn history at Pier Store, located within the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Research Centre No. 9 Quality Row

Research Centre No. 9 Quality Row

Set in a restored Georgian house, the Research Centre serves as a looking glass into the Norfolk Island of yesteryear.
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Royal Engineer's Office

Royal Engineer's Office

The Royal Engineer's Office is a great place to start your investigation into Norfolk’s storied past
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Salt House

Salt House

Sitting on a headland overlooking Emily Bay, the Salt House is one of several evocative ruins and heritage buildings.
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Sirius Museum - Protestant Chapel

Sirius Museum - Protestant Chapel

Learn about the seafaring saga of the Sirius, which wrecked just off the coast of Norfolk Island at the Sirium Museum within the Protestant Chapel.
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The Crankmill

The Crankmill

Wander the stone ruins of Crankmill, another one of Norfolk’s sites with a dark past. Book your holiday now to discover our island’s intriguing history!
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The Old Watermill

The Old Watermill

Set in a grassy valley next to an old dam, the crumbling ruins of the Old Watermill are a reminder of a dark chapter in Norfolk Island’s history
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Your Norfolk experience starts here