The Hampden Suspension Bridge is an historical landmark, being the only surviving suspension bridge in New South Wales that was built in the 19th century. It carries Moss Vale Road over the Kangaroo River just a short distance from the Kangaroo Valley village. The bridge is named after Lord Hampden, who was the Governor of NSW from 1895 to 1899, the time when the bridge was built.

By the early 1890s, the original timber truss bridge over the Kangaroo River was decaying and a replacement was necessary. However, bridging across the Kangaroo Valley presented particular problems as the gorge is deep and floods regularly. Taking advantage of the available solid rock foundation, de Burgh, the Assistant Engineer for Bridges in NSW, designed a classic three pin suspension bridge for the site which had steel suspension cables supporting timber stiffening trusses. These trusses were necessary in a relatively small suspension bridge such as this because concentrated loads can cause a distortion of the suspension cable and lead to a depression under the load and waves either side. The timber stiffening trusses spread the loads over the length of the cable and stabilise the structure.
Work on the Hampden Bridge began in 1895 with the sandstone for the resticated towers quarried nearby. The new bridge was officially opened on May 19, 1898, six days before a massive flood washed the partly demolished timber truss bridge away. The shrinkage of the unseasoned timber elements, wear at the connections and the decay of some timber has resulted in slip at the stiffening truss connections and significant deflections of the bridge under heavy vehicle load, however it still remains safe to use.

Structural and Civil Engineer: Ernest M. de Burgh
Date Completed: 1898
Span: 77.1 m.

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