The Troll Bridge is well-known to many Cromwell locals, and now it seems the word is out.

From Printers Bay, head along the new Lake Dunstan trail towards Bannockburn, and you will cross a bridge over a stormwater culvert. Overnight, a carefully constructed sign appeared on the bridge: ‘Troll Bridge’.

Councillor Shirley Calvert alerted The Central App when she discovered the sign during a bike ride. She said a local named Bill had been seen in the area acting the goat. However, when The Central App approached Bill for comment, he was rather gruff and declined an interview.

This bridge appears to shelter a troll, one that is well-known to many children in Cromwell.

A search through the fairy doors in Old Cromwell also turned up nothing, so this intrepid reporter decided to investigate further.

Julieanne Horrell is a teacher at Cromwell Early Learning Centre (CELCI). She said the bridge had been known to shelter at least one troll for over a decade now.

“Through the years, our Adventurers groups always ask to visit the Troll Bridge – they hear about the troll from older children and siblings, and so the story has been passed on.

“It didn’t originate from adults, children discovered the troll ten years ago and so the legend was born.”

Julieanne said the children always look for the trolls at the bridge, think about where they sleep, imagine what they wear, what they eat, how they smell, what they do when the water comes down the channel.

Lily Hinsen, then aged 4 years, took her sister Sophia to check out the troll shelter she helped to build.

This year, the children were extremely concerned for the troll when the bridge underwent renovation for the Lake Dunstan Trail, and crafted special shelters on the lake shore to ensure he stayed safe during that period.

Children often leave gifts for the troll, Julianne said. The troll is very thankful and has been known to occasionally leave marshmallows and even letters for the children in return.

“It’s a really special place.

“Quite a few of our families are saying now that they have the trail to walk and bike, they must stop at the troll bridge each time so their children can show them where the troll lives.

“It’s a real local icon for them.

“And they will now have a lovely surprise to discover on their next excursion out.”

Julianne said it was wonderful to see children being so creative and expressive through imaginative play. Thinking differently and using the story of the troll to interact with older siblings and friends who were introduced to the troll bridge before they started school.

Each year, the CELCI children create a beautiful book of troll stories to share. Below is a series of excerpts from the 2020 book -

Images Mary Hinsen