Attraction
Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Queensland's state art museum, split between two free riverside buildings at South Bank, with Australian, Indigenous and Asia Pacific art and a cinema.
Story Bridge
Brisbane's steel cantilever bridge of 1940, designed by John Bradfield, linking Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point and climbable on guided tours.
At a glance
- Type
- Heritage-listed bridge
- Area
- Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia
Good to know
- Free to walk across (city side)
- Bridge climb available
Why we recommend it
The Story Bridge is the steel cantilever bridge that spans the Brisbane River between Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point, carrying the Bradfield Highway. It was designed by John Bradfield, the engineer behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and drew heavily on the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal. Construction began in May 1935, the two halves met in October 1939, and the bridge opened on 6 July 1940. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, and Engineers Australia gave it a Historic Engineering Marker in 1988.
The bridge is 777 metres long, with a main span of 282 metres, a width of 24 metres and a height of 74 metres, leaving 30.4 metres of clearance for vessels at mid-span. It is lit at night and features prominently in the annual Riverfire fireworks display. Even without climbing it, the bridge is worth seeing from the riverside below or from a CityCat on the river.
Walking across is possible, but check the current situation before you go. Each side has a shared pedestrian and cycle path; both were closed in March 2025 after corrosion and concrete damage were found, and the city-side path reopened in October 2025 after new decking was laid, while repair work on the other side has continued. Brisbane City Council has said the bridge needs a full restoration over the coming decades, so further works and closures are likely.
The most memorable way to experience it is the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, which has taken visitors up the structure since 2005. Climbs run daily at dawn, during the day, at twilight and at night, and reach a summit about 80 metres above the river. Children aged six and over can climb with a parent or guardian, and all safety equipment is provided. Booking ahead is sensible if you want a particular session.
Photographers should head to the Howard Smith Wharves precinct, whose site holds the bridge's northern pylons, or to the base of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, from where the Story Bridge is among the landmarks in view. The bridge was built in tandem with the Howard Smith Wharves, which were constructed from 1934 as Depression-era relief work.
Story Bridge FAQs
When was the Story Bridge built?
Construction began in 1935 and the bridge opened on 6 July 1940.
Who designed the Story Bridge?
John Bradfield, who also designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Can you walk across the Story Bridge?
There are shared paths on each side. The city-side path reopened in October 2025 after repairs; check current access before you go.
Can you climb the Story Bridge?
Yes. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb runs dawn, day, twilight and night climbs daily.
How high is the bridge climb?
The summit is about 80 metres above the Brisbane River.
Where is the best place to view the bridge?
Howard Smith Wharves beneath the northern end and the Kangaroo Point cliffs both give good views.
Is the bridge lit up at night?
Yes, it is illuminated at night and features in the annual Riverfire fireworks.
Is the Story Bridge heritage-listed?
Yes. It is on the Queensland Heritage Register.