Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 04/06/2026 14:03:00

Clipped into a safety system and led by a guide, climbers on the Story Bridge Adventure Climb ascend the steel superstructure of Brisbane's heritage-listed Story Bridge to a platform some 74 metres above the river. Opened in October 2005, it was at the time only the third such bridge climb in the world, after Sydney and Auckland. The bridge itself was built between 1935 and 1940 as a Depression-era public works project, designed by John Bradfield, the engineer behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and named after the public servant John Story. It is one of the largest steel cantilever bridges in the country and a defining feature of the Brisbane skyline. The climb begins at Kangaroo Point with a safety briefing and the fitting of a climb suit and harness, then follows walkways, platforms and ladders up the arch over a route of around 1.5 kilometres. From the top, climbers look out across the city, the meandering Brisbane River, Moreton Bay to the east and the mountains of the Scenic Rim to the west. Tours run by day, at dawn, at twilight and after dark, each offering a different mood, and the roughly two-hour experience is suitable for most reasonably fit people aged six and over. Special climbs are sometimes themed around occasions or paired with abseiling for those wanting more. Since opening, the climb has taken well over a hundred thousand people up the bridge, becoming one of Queensland's signature adventure activities. For visitors it combines a dose of adrenaline with a history lesson and some of the finest views available of the river city. The climb is booked in advance for a set departure, and the operator provides the climb suit, harness and equipment, asking participants to wear enclosed shoes and leave loose items behind, with everything tethered for safety high above the traffic. A breathalyser check applies before climbing, and there are minimum age and health requirements, but the route is engineered to be manageable for most reasonably fit people. Twilight climbs, timed to reach the summit as the sun sets and the city lights come on, are among the most sought-after. Set beside the cafes and parks of Kangaroo Point, the climb has become one of Brisbane's defining experiences and a popular choice for marking birthdays and other occasions high above the river.