VERTIGO

Welcome to Vertigo! 

Welcome to Vertigo, where excitement meets fine dining as you eat while hanging from the roof of the Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland’s home of contemporary culture and art. Your experience begins at the Vertigo check-in desk, inside a converted shipping container sitting at the foot of the 17-metre brick facade, at the top of which your dining experience awaits. The black container, adorned with a bright blue neon Vertigo sign, exudes industrial charm and sets a dynamic tone for the thrill that lies ahead.

Vertigo’s friendly staff greet you warmly, and assist with completing necessary indemnity forms, fitting you with a harness and breathalysing – with safety in mind, guests are required to have a zero blood alcohol reading. The team will brief you on what to expect, ensuring you feel comfortable and informed. Each guest’s personal belongings are securely stored in lockers provided at the reception area, and you can hire lanyards to secure your phone to your harness, making sure you can capture photos of the view safely. A TV displays images and video highlights of the Vertigo experience, fuelling anticipation and excitement.

Whether you’re a hardened thrill-seeker or a first-timer, the reception area sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure that’s a unique blend of exhilaration and elegance.

With just eight tables of two available on Friday and Saturday, weather permitting, bookings are essential for this exclusive experience.

About Brisbane Powerhouse

The Brisbane Powerhouse, now a vibrant arts centre, has a history that adds a layer of historical richness to the Vertigo experience. Originally constructed in the 1920s to power Brisbane’s tram network, this building evokes the city’s bygone industrial era. The Powerhouse’s imposing red-brick facade, interior steel beams and cement floors are all remnants of its time as the city’s first council-operated power station, serving not only the tram network but also some of Brisbane’s then newer suburbs.

Throughout the years, the Powerhouse has evolved dramatically. Following the replacement of trams with buses in 1969, the Powerhouse was decommissioned in 1971 and became derelict but not entirely abandoned. It became a welcome shelter for the homeless, a great location for filmmakers and a canvas for graffiti artists – aerosol art that is now heritage-listed. In the 1990s, the Brisbane City Council reimagined the space into an artistic hub, and it was officially reopened in 2000 as the New Farm Powerhouse. Today, it stands as a proud testament to Brisbane’s dynamic cultural scene, hosting an array of music, theatre, comedy and visual arts events.

This mix of historical context and modern-day revitalisation encapsulates the essence of Brisbane, marrying the past with the future in a fusion of culture and innovation.

The Ascent to the Rooftop 

Guests have the choice of ascending to the Vertigo dining platform via an illuminated blue neon staircase or an internal lift, both offering an air of heightened anticipation. The staircase, each step marked with the letters “VERTIGO”, evokes a sense of escalating excitement, while the lift whisks you up four stories to the rooftop. The sound of footsteps on the sturdy steps underfoot and the distant hum of city life form an ambient soundtrack to your ascent.

After reaching the rooftop, you ascend three additional staircases, each with 10 steps, where the fresh breeze off the Brisbane River greets you. As the wind softly tousles your hair, the scent of delicious food being prepared by Bar Alto below wafts up, tantalising your taste buds. As you emerge onto the rooftop, the Brisbane cityscape unfurls before you, inviting you to relish the expansive 360-degree views. The river shines in the daylight on one side, while the city lights begin to glitter in the falling dusk on the other. It’s a breathtaking prelude to Vertigo’s main event, setting the scene for the extraordinary dining experience ahead.

Dining in the Sky

Upon reaching the rooftop, you are securely hooked onto a safety rail, guiding you to the dining platform. Get ready for a rush of excitement as you feel the world below fade away as you take your seat suspended 17 metres above the ground. Whether you choose to face the bustling city skyline or the gaze down upon the depths of the Powerhouse facade, the experience is designed to be remarkable.

As you settle into your seat, which is electronically lowered into position at the dining table, you’ll hear the gentle hum of the machinery and the soft click of the safety gear as you’re carefully guided into place. Now suspended high above the city, there’s a palpable feeling of exhilaration and anticipation: the sense of freedom granted by the altitude and the gourmet delights awaiting you create Vertigo’s unique blend of thrill and gastronomy. The secure harness ensures your safety throughout, allowing you to focus on the extraordinary dining experience awaiting you.

Vertigo’s menu is a gourmet exploration curated by Bar Alto’s talented chefs, featuring a blend of local ingredients and Italian flair. The meal includes a starter, a main course and a dessert, all complemented by a selection of beverages such as Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, beer, soft drinks and water.

For the main course, guests can choose from delectable options like free-range chicken piccata, crispy yet tender, Roman gnocchi with a rich tomato sauce, brodetto – a hearty Italian fish stew – or pumpkin gnudi – perfect for vegetarian and vegan diners. Each dish is a testament to the chefs’ expertise, carefully crafted for enjoyment at a high altitude.

Dessert is no less spectacular, with options such as the decadent, velvety flourless chocolate cake, or the refreshing almond milk panna cotta accompanied by a tangy array of berries. Each forkful is a delightful blend of texture and taste, lifting your dining experience to new heights, both literally and gastronomically.

Drop to the Ground for an Adrenaline Rush

Once your meal concludes, the thrill isn’t quite over. Guests are offered a choice of ways to get back down to ground level: a leisurely walk back down the staircases or an adrenaline-pumping dropline down the Powerhouse brick facade to the ground. If you choose the dropline, you’ll be secured into a harness, just like when you ascended. You are seated right on the ledge, feeling the excitement build as you prepare to step off.

The drop itself is exhilarating, with a few seconds of free-fall sensation before the mechanism gently lowers you to the ground. The sound of the wind rushing past mingles with your thumping heartbeat, and perhaps a shriek or two, creating an adrenaline rush that adds a final touch of daring to your Vertigo experience.

Upon landing, staff help remove the harnesses, and you are offered a final celebratory beverage. The dramatic descent makes for a perfect end to a breathtaking adventure, and will leave you with lasting memories and a story to tell for years to come.

Accessibility 

Vertigo is committed to being an inclusive adventure for all, and offers various accessibility options. The Brisbane Powerhouse is easily accessible via public transport, including both bus and ferry services. Take bus 196 to Brunswick Street at Oxlade Drive and walk about 500 meters through New Farm Park; or take bus 199 two Merthyr Rd at Alford Street and walk about 900 meters down Alford Street and through New Farm Park. The Teneriffe Ferry and the City Cat drop you at New Farm Park Ferry Terminal, which is a 450-meter walk from the Powerhouse.

If driving, Brisbane Powerhouse Car Park has just 148 parking spaces, six of which are accessible, with a flat night rate of $14 after 5 PM, while New Farm Park Car Park has 200 free parking spaces. There is a drop-off area in the Brisbane Powerhouse car park with level access to the Stores Building and lift access to the main building.

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on all levels of the Powerhouse, and a wheelchair is available for loan. You can download an Access Key that provides comprehensive access information about the Powerhouse in formats that are suitable for everyone, regardless of ability, as well as a social story from brisbanepowerhouse.org/visit/#getting-here.

Wheelchair users can enjoy the Vertigo experience thanks to a specially designed aircraft-grade aluminium chair, which is winched up to the dining platform. Transfers from personal wheelchairs to the specialised chair are easy with the assistance of a sling in a private room or assistance from Vertigo staff. Safety remains paramount throughout the ascent, dining and descent, with a double winch line system for extra security.

Service dogs are welcome, and there is a grassy area available within 20 meters of the Vertigo check-in area for their convenience. 

These accessibility measures ensure that everyone can enjoy the breathtaking views and exhilarating experience that Vertigo has to offer.