A Part of Buderim's History

The Piano Bridge

by Joyce Short
September 2011

In the very early settlement days of Buderim and its surrounds a strong wooden bridge was built over the Mooloolah River close to where the Caloundra turnoff is now.  Even when the Bruce Highway came through by 1935 that bridge was part of the highway for many years. 

Everyone called it the Piano Bridge and most thought the name referred to the way every plank seemed to make a different sounding rattle.  However, that was not correct.

Apparently Westaways at Meridan Plains had ordered a piano to come from England.  There was great excitement at the thought of the first piano to come to the district and it conjured up great visions of musical treats to come.  The piano would be delivered to its new home by bullock wagon, and people worried that the new bridge with its “U” shaped entry and exit might see the piano jolted or sway and perhaps topple!  Mr. Laxton (Mick Meads grandfather), a skilled teamster with bullock wagons had the job of delivering the piano.  The local people had come to watch and hold their breath as the sharp turn onto the bridge was approached but this skilled man brought the team around, over the bridge then sharply turn again off the bridge with slow, quiet commands and no movement whatever of the piano.  There was a cheer from the onlookers and all agreed the new bridge would be called Piano Bridge, and so it was!