It consists of four main arches, of span 4.3, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.3 and 4.1 metres (14.1, 26.6, 27.2, 27.9, 27.2, and 13.5 ft), respectively, which spring from sloping fins with angular leading edges aligned with the flow of to the lake.

From 2004 to 2005, descendants of William Wilson (full name William Hartley Wilson), named on the plaque as Superintendent of Stonemasons for the construction, undertook extensive research into aspects of the bridge's building and subsequent modifications, as well as the natural fauna/flora which existed in the vicinity of the bridge at that time.

The purpose of the research was twofold: a) to understand the construction and appearance of the bridge at the time of its completion in 1825, and the significant modifications that it underwent over the 60 or so years after that; and b) to establish a valid basis to guide a professional landscape artist in undertaking on commission an oil painting of the Bridge as it originally appeared in 1825.

The depiction also adopted a southern aspect which features the quarry on Butchers Hill from which the sandstone masonry used in the bridge and much of the emerging village came.

Whilst beauty will always be as perceived in the eye of the viewer, many people interested in Tasmanian edifices of historical note consider the circa 1825 depiction maintain that the original construction had finer and more balanced features.

Wilson, E. "Poetry of Place" 2004 p21 Australia's oldest bridge - Macquarie Culvert, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.