The Murray Bridge Library is on the corner of East Terrace and South Terrace, Murray Bridge. Above the library, you can eat in Fasta Pasta, the Riverside Café or the Big-W shopping centre food court, where you can enjoy views of the Mobilong Wharf precinct, railway bridge across the River Murray and council gardens.
Meals at Fasta Pasta start from $7 lunch specials, and there is also a coffee and cake special! The food court includes Wendy's and Subway. Fasta Pasta and the eastern end of the food court boast floor to roof glass windows allowing an unimpeded view of the wharf area. The advantage of viewing from this area, or the adjacent balcony walk, is the height, as you are one story above the parklands.
Across East terrace, there is a car park, where you can leave your car and walk around the Mobilong Wharf area. The walk way leads to a romantic pagoda, which also overlooks the river and railway bridge. A set of steps leads down beside a Japanese style waterfall onto a romantic landing. There is a bench seat nestled into this area. You have to climb up again to exit and then you can follow the gravel path around the edge of the waterfall and small watercourse.
The area appears to represent an all-year garden. When we were there, the winter wild flowers and trees were blossoming. However, the rose bushes had been pruned and only one bush had a rose. During rose season, the roses would be magnificent.
As you follow the gravel path, you pass along the back of disused workshops and sheds, which have historical significance as part of South Australia's history when river and rail travel were both important and the Mobilong Wharf formed a vital connection point.
According to the South Australian Heritage Council, the original Murray Bridge was converted into a rail-bridge in the 1880's, and the 'Overland' ran from Adelaide to Melbourne. A new bridge was constructed in 1925 and a tunnel was cut under Bridge street. Unfortunately, the Murray Bridge site was unable to expand due to its position wedged on the riverbank against the edge of the town, and major rail operations were transferred to Tailem Bend.
If you walk down onto the grassy area, you will see several historic carriages parked on the remains of old tracks. An old crane is parked wharf-side giving the impression that work could recommence. Another car park runs adjacent to the remains of a wharf, which appears accessible. Captain Proud Cruises have a boat moored here and occasionally run tourist trips. Back on Jaensch Road existing silos help the visitor visualise this area when it was a significant site for transport and trade.