STORY BRIDGE ADVENTURE CLIMB

Elevate Your Urban Adventure 

Elevate your urban adventure by scaling Brisbane’s most iconic structure with the professional, inclusive and fun-loving team at Story Bridge Adventure Climb. 

This thrilling activity takes climbers on an exhilarating journey over Brisbane’s celebrated Story Bridge, offering unprecedented panoramas across the city skyline, stretching from the majestic Glass House Mountains to the captivating expanse of Moreton Bay, and further south to the undulating mountains of the Scenic Rim. This climb is more than an attraction; it’s an immersion into the heart of Brisbane from a perspective few have the privilege to experience. As one of only three such bridge climbs in the world, it promises to be an adventure packed with excitement, educational insights, and an unmatched sense of achievement high above the buzzing Brisbane city centre.

This inclusive, sky-high adventure is designed to be accessible and enjoyed by people with a range of abilities, from six to 96 years of age. The team of exceptional and experienced climb leaders are there every step of the way to ensure your safety, offer encouragement and provide guidance. Their expert commentary further enriches your experience with rare insights about this iconic landmark, and the history and culture of the city it spans. Their boundless positivity and contagious enthusiasm will make this experience truly unforgettable – elevating your spirits and leaving you with the euphoric feeling of being on top of the world!

Whether you’re a family searching for a memorable outdoor adventure, a couple seeking a thrilling bonding experience over the city skyline, or a thrill-seeker chasing a natural urban high, Story Bridge Adventure Climb takes your Brisbane city experience to new heights!

Getting Here and Gearing Up 

The iconic Story Bridge Adventure Climb (SBAC) (PRON: ‘ess-bee-ay-see’) has found a new home on the North Side of the Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves, offering an entirely fresh perspective of our breathtaking city! As one of only three bridge climbs in the world, and the world’s first wheelchair accessible bridge climb, it’s a must-do activity for thrill-seekers and sightseers alike.

From dawn to night, climbers will experience panoramic views of Brisbane’s skyline, the Glass House Mountains, Moreton Bay and the Scenic Rim. Our expert climb leaders will captivate guests with fascinating Brisbane stories, ensuring an unforgettable adventure.

Conveniently located between Crystalbrook Vincent Hotel and Betty’s Burgers, our new base at Howard Smith Wharves blends adrenaline-filled adventure with world-class dining and hospitality. After the climb, guests can celebrate with a well-earned meal while soaking in the vibrant riverside atmosphere! 

SBAC is based at Howard Smith Wharves, directly in front of the precinct’s roundabout. As you arrive, the rhythmic hum of urban life mingles with the distinctive thrum of traffic crossing the bridge above, echoing Brisbane’s lively spirit.

There are several lifts from the two underground carpark levels up to ground level of the precinct, which is where SBAC headquarters is. Here you’ll complete a brief check-in process, to check waivers have been signed, you have gone to the toilet and to remind you that only medication and sunglasses can go up on the bridge. After brief guidelines have been explained by guest relations they will ask you to take a seat at tables a metre away. This is not merely a waiting area; it’s a prelude to the exhilarating climb, setting the perfect mood for what promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

Soon your expert climb leader will introduce themselves, reassuring you with their enthusiasm, professionalism and expertise. They will provide an audible overview of what to expect and safety guidelines, and will instruct you to place all belongings into lockers for safekeeping during the climb. They’ll conduct a routine breath test for adult climbers, ensuring everyone’s safety before the ascent. Items go in the lockers and then the staff will use a metal detector to make sure all items have been stored safely in the lockers. You will then be guided to your harness station and be handed one of our trendy climb jumpsuits. Once you’ve put your jumpsuit on over your clothes, your climb leader will give the group step-by-step instructions on donning your harness. Your climb leader will provide clear and methodical audible and visual instructions and personally assist each climber to carefully fit their safety gear. This process is accompanied by the reassuring sounds of click and clink as harnesses and straps are meticulously adjusted, ensuring every component is safely secured. 

Once ready, the group departs SBAC headquarters via a concrete pathway to an air-conditioned lift. After exiting the lift, the group continues along a smooth pathway onto Bowen Terrace, reaching the base of the Story Bridge.

The Climb Route 

Before you step out to conquer the bridge, let’s do a quick run through of the climb route, to whet your appetite for the adventure ahead. 

The heritage-listed Story Bridge spans the mighty Brisbane River, providing traffic and pedestrians with convenient connectivity between the city’s northern and southern suburbs. This large cantilever construction features two roughly triangular-shaped latticed steel trusses extending upwards from its northern and southern piers somewhat like bat ears, creating its distinctive silhouette on the city skyline. Each of these triangular frames features an eastern and western peak, connected to each other by a flat section of decking, traversing about 50 metres above the roadway. 

On your epic bridge climb adventure, you’ll ascend around 392 steps to reach the eastern peak, where you’ll enjoy spectacular city views and experience the pulse-pounding excitement of standing high above Brisbane. After capturing some happy snaps to celebrate your progress, you walk to the middle of the bridge to hear fun and interesting commentary. From here, you’ll make your final descent back down to ground level, where you and your group can collectively celebrate the outstanding achievement of conquering the awe-inspiring heights of the iconic Story Bridge. 

Along the journey, your knowledgeable climb leaders will regale you with fascinating facts and local insights into the history, construction and ongoing upkeep of one of Brisbane’s most prized and recognised landmarks. They will also offer audio commentary about the city’s rich cultural heritage and natural features, with your adventure offering a unique and highly sought-after perspective of the city from above. 

Now you have a tantalising taste of what’s in store, it’s time to step out for your unforgettable adventure!

The Exhilarating Ascent to the Peak 

As you depart the office, there will be a brief pause for an orientation and then you’ll be guided on a leisurely and relatively flat walk of approximately 100 metres to our first ascent in a lift. Once you exit the lift there is a 200-metre walk to the base of the Bridge where you will embark on the exhilarating ascent to the peak.

As you enter the tunnel at the base of the bridge you will be connected to the safety line, marking the official start of the climb route. As you emerge from the base of the bridge, the world seems to open up around you. This first section of stairs is a short, sharp ascent, leading you to the flagpole traverse. As your climb leader pauses here to check in on everyone, there’s a sudden rush of realisation that you’re now high above the city streets. The wind tousles your hair and invigorates your senses, as the urban soundscape gradually fades beneath your feet. You’ll then continue your slightly easier ascent upwards, where the steps widen and the gradient lessens. Before reaching the eastern peak, there’s another rest stop to enjoy the view and relax before the final push to the top. 

The peak of the climb, 80 metres above ground, offers unparalleled panoramas of the Brisbane city skyline and beyond. From this vantage point, the expansive view becomes more than an epic backdrop – it’s an intricate mosaic of history, urban culture and natural beauty. Depending on the time of your climb, the ambience and vista will vary – from the calm stillness of the city streets before dawn to the glittering splendour of the evening sky illuminated in a dazzling display of lights. By day, the city skyline is reflected in the waters of the Brisbane River, and the view stretches to the horizon. 

Spanning History and Time 

The Story Bridge stands not just as a marvel of engineering but as an historic testament to Brisbane's resilience and ingenuity. Named in honour of John Douglas Story, a respected public servant and University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, the bridge connects Brisbane’s past with its present.

Construction began during the Great Depression, offering much-needed employment to hundreds of workers and symbolising hope and progress. Designed by Dr. John Bradfield, renowned for his work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this cantilever bridge took five years to complete. To get this mammoth structure completed as quickly as possible, work sometimes continued 24 hours a day during the construction phase. At the peak of construction in 1938, it was one of the largest employers in Brisbane. It was officially opened on 6 July 1940. The bridge’s grand opening was celebrated by over 37,000 people, highlighting its importance to the city’s growing population.

The Story Bridge isn't merely a crossing; it's a living and enduring emblem of Brisbane’s proud heritage. 

Story Bridge Fun Facts 

The Story Bridge is incredibly sturdy and strong – in fact, it’s the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated and constructed in Australia – a source of immense pride for its residents. The foundations of the southern pier on which you stand are buried 40 metres into the earth, and no major structural upgrades have been required to the bridge since its opening – a remarkable testament to the care with which it was built. It was built using some 12,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1600 tonnes of reinforcing steel, held together by 1.25 million rivets. 

The John Bradfield Highway, which spans the length of the bridge, is Australia’s shortest highway at just 1071 metres in length. But while it may be brief it’s certainly busy, with more than 30 million vehicles crossing the bridge each year. 

If you’re climbing in the evening or at twilight, you may notice the bridge’s distinctive trusses are illuminated in a spectacular frosting of coloured lights. The colour of these lights often changes to reflect special occasions or raise awareness of social causes. If you’re climbing at the end of the day, ask your climb leader about the night’s colour choice.

Your expert climb guide possesses a wealth of knowledge that will fascinate and astound you, as you gain new insights into the history behind Queensland’s cosmopolitan capital and its most iconic bridge. As you ascend and descend over 500 stairs, each step forges a deeper connection with Brisbane’s incredible people, its rich history and the remarkable architecture of the bridge itself. 

The Western Peak & Coming Back Down to Earth 

The breathtaking view from the western peak is every bit as impressive as the eastern ascent, but with closer proximity to the iconic backdrop of the city-centre skyline. The rooftops of towering skyrises sprawl before you, offering a birds-eye vista of this vibrant city in all its glory. Final photos are captured and the descent back down to earth begins. The atmosphere buzzes with exhilaration and the camaraderie that comes with having achieved a shared ambition. 

After a short walk back to base, you are welcomed with cheers of celebration and heartfelt congratulations, before removing your harness and climb suit. Once you’ve collected your personal items from the locker, you can make your way back out to the reception area, where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase your photos or a selection of drinks and merchandise, before heading out, elated by the pleasant afterglow of your natural high. 

Accessibility 

The professional, supportive and inclusive team at Story Bridge Adventure Climb are passionate about accessibility and are committed to ensuring that the thrill and wonder of this experience can be shared with as many people as possible, irrespective of age or ability. Please note that children from six to 16 years of age must be accompanied on the climb by a parent or guardian. 

All personal items must be securely stowed in lockers, except for glasses, sunglasses and medication. If you’d like to wear a hat, you can use one of SBAC’s provided caps, which will be secured to your climb suit prior to your ascent. Please ensure you utilise the precinct bathroom facilities before suiting up, as there are no toilet facilities on the bridge. Standard and accessible bathrooms are available a short distance from the SBAC base.

The total climb route incorporates 535 stairs of varying width and gradient. The climb experience takes approximately 90 minutes, including your briefing, safety demonstration and the climb route itself. Your climb leader closely monitors the group’s wellbeing throughout the climb, taking regular rest stops when required and setting a steady pace so no one feels rushed. Please notify your climb leader if you need to pause by raising your hand. 

The climb leaders are trained to provide clear, articulate audio commentary, enhancing the experience for climbers who are blind or have low vision. Throughout the main section of the climb, you will remain connected to a safety rail, and will keep hold of sliding tether giving a constant point of contact with the bridge for added balance and stability. A second handrail can also be held during most of the climb if required. 

Thanks to a specially-designed motorised stair climber wheelchair – custom-built to the highest safety standards – wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility can now enjoy the thrill of scaling Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge. This innovative equipment allows for smooth movement over inclines, and offers ergonomic comfort and integrated safety features to ensure a safe and unforgettable climb. For more information about this exciting new offering, visit storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/accessible-climb.

If you have specific accessibility needs, please notify Story Bridge Adventure Climb in advance so they can make appropriate accommodations wherever possible. This dedication to accessibility highlights Story Bridge Adventure Climb’s commitment to offering a universally enriching experience, making it a premier attraction that embodies the inclusive spirit of Brisbane.

Please note that the move from our previous location at Kangaroo Point to the north side of the river has brought a new meeting point and climb route. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is now based at 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City, located at Howard Smith Wharves. You’ll find us directly in front of the precinct’s roundabout, where a ramp provides easy access from the footpath to our headquarters.

Street parking is available nearby, and ferry services operate approximately every 10 minutes to Howard Smith Wharves. For detailed public transport information and journey planning, please visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.