Medlow Bath Station + Footbridge
Improved safety and access for transport in the clouds. Located in Sydney’s Blue Mountains region, the State heritage-listed Medlow Bath Station has completed its accessibility upgrades—headlined by a new footbridge inspired by its elevated surrounds.
DesignInc, together with heritage architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG), developed a concept for a new 36-metre pedestrian bridge which connects the public with its local station. Respecting the heritage values of the Blue Mountains Village and Station Group, its primary value lies in accessibility. That is, ensuring people of all abilities can safely cross the highway and access the railway station via ramps, elevator or stairs. The resulting design, adopting contemporary curved steel which reflects the mysterious weather phenomenon known as ‘phantom falls’ which occurs on escarpments atop the Megalong Valley escarpment, forms part of the tourist journey to and from the Hydro Majestic and traverses across a widened Great Western Highway.
The bridge begins with stairs wrapping a white circular lift tower, a reflection of the Hydro Majestic’s eclectic mix of architectural styles and glamorous social history. The deck level of the bridge reveals views of the Megalong Valley before sweeping back to extend as a single span across the highway, finally ramping down into the landscape on the other side. A separate cantilevered footpath connects to the station via a new platform access lift.
Mesh screens on the bridge are designed to be as transparent as possible, representing the ephemeral nature of cloud formations while minimising visual impact, and allowing views to and from the bridge. Integrated heritage interpretation devices explain the social history of the nearby Hydro Majestic and the State heritage listed station group, and pavement artworks draw on Australian First Nations stories of the area. The outcome of this celebrates and enhances the local character and will be a recognisable landmark along the journey crossing the Blue Mountains.
‘This project was a collaborative effort. It took a team of the best creative minds to find an evocative idea that respected all the contextual and heritage values of the place and was able to meet all the technical requirements at the same time. The outcome was driven largely by the need to create enduring public value, reflective of the dedication of the design team, asset ownership stakeholders, approval authorities, and the community.
‘Our shared vision for this bridge was to make it a destination—a place to travel to, not just through, along the journey across the Blue Mountains.’
Megan Walker
Principal, DesignInc
A separate glazed steel lift, in a style sympathetic to the heritage architecture, is inserted into the end of the station platform. The scope included accessibility upgrades to the station itself, and a new entry, pathways, DDA parking, kiss-and-ride drop off, and planting on Railway Parade.
The project is an extension of the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program (TAP 3) as part of the Great Western Highway Upgrade with an objective to deliver safe, modern and accessible public transport infrastructure. The design was successfully approved by Heritage NSW, with construction running from late 2023 until April 2025. DesignInc provided integrated urban design, architecture and landscape services for the accessibility upgrade to this sensitive State heritage-listed station and adjoining footbridge.
The footbridge was opened officially to the public by Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, State Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, and key community stakeholders on Tuesday 2 April 2025.
