📍Story Bridge Adventure Climb Review: What Climbing The Longest Cantilever Bridge In Australia Is Like? (2024.)

LOOKING FOR AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF BRISBANE’S STORY BRIDGE ADVENTURE CLIMB?

With a sleek design and elegant silhouette, the Story Bridge is easily Brisbane’s most iconic and awe-inspiring landmark. But it’s not just the visual appeal that makes Australia’s longest steel cantilever bridge the most beautiful part of visiting the Queensland capital, as reaching its summit is one of the city’s most quintessential, unforgettable and magical experiences, even for someone like me.

After decades of living an hour out of the CBD and having it on my bucket list, I finally did it for my birthday last year. Despite seeing the inner city from numerous angles over the last three decades, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb blew me away with its unique perspectives of a place I felt so familiar with. So, without further ado, here’s an honest, in-depth review of my TWILIGHT CLIMB summiting this famous structure and why I highly recommend all visitors to Brisbane do it too.

What Is Special About The Story Bridge?

Aside from being Brisbane’s most iconic and recognisable structure thanks to its unique shape, position and LED lighting display, the Story Bridge is also known for being Australia’s longest steel cantilever bridge, stretching 282m over the Brisbane River from Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. 

Additionally, the roadway crossing the bridge is the Bradfield Highway, which, at 1073m long is also the world’s shortest highway and is home to the city’s most iconic experience, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. 

Is Climbing Brisbane’s Story Bridge Worth It?

Yes. Absolutely. Even though I have been to Brisbane numerous amount of times since living an hour away from the city for most of my life, I have seen it from many perspectives but never from the peak of its most iconic landmark. I assumed the views would be similar to the spectacular views of the CBD I was already familiar with, but I was pleasantly surprised. The scenery from up there far surpasses any of the multitude of vantage points that line the foreshore.

The views looking east towards the inner city skyscrapers was gorgeous as always, but the landscape looking back towards Kangaroo Point with the Brisbane River straddling the peninsula, particularly captivated my attention as there is nowhere else in Brisbane you can enjoy that breathtaking million-dollar view except maybe a helicopter, nor can you look across the structure itself towards the iconic Howard Smith Wharves, which was equally as new and spectacular.

The experience itself was excellently paced, with a fantastic tour guide looking after the group and providing expert commentary on the bridge and the city’s history cumulated into a well-rounded tour that I think is worth every penny, especially for the twilight tour because seeing it transition from sunset into night only added to what made this activity such an unforgettable one.

Climb Options.

• Dawn.
• Day.
• Twilight. (Most Popular.)
• Night.
• Summer/Winter Adventure Climb.
• Sunday Funday.
• Full Moon Climb.
• Heights & Delights. – Departs Gold Coast.

Climb Route.

The Story Bridge Adventure Climb takes participants along the underside of the structure from the south end, before emerging onto road level, then ascending up the beams to the lookout platform on the magnificent summit some 90m above the Brisbane River.

After spending some time drinking in the breathtaking scenery, having some photos taken and getting a brief lesson about the bridge’s history as Brisbane’s most iconic landmark, you’ll walk down the other side of the peak to the halfway point. There you’ll cross over to the other side then climb back up the eastern apex, get more photos, including the free group pic, and a solo pic, then it’s back down to road level to go back underneath to finish the tour back at the office.

*Note: When I went, they were repainting the area you would normally use to walk to the road, so we got there by going up some temporary scaffolding.

View From The Story Bridge.

The scenery from atop the Story Bridge is magnificent. With expansive panoramic views throughout the entire climb and uninterrupted 360-degree views from the 80m viewing platform at its southern peak, it has easily the best views of Brisbane’s breathtaking landscape.

West overlooks the CBD’s glittering skyscrapers and peers down on the famous restaurant precinct, Eagle Street Pier. It was also lovely to see all the boats traversing the river. This direction is particularly gorgeous after the sunset when the lights begin coming on and illuminating the city, which the walk capitalises on by having us on the bridge’s western side for the return journey. 

East looked across the New Farm, and while are no other places in the city where you can get a view of it (except in the skyscrapers), it was the least interesting sight, as it was full of low-rise buildings with no distinct landmarks. However, our guide, Emily, pointed out the Gateway Bridge, North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island far in the distance.

One of the best views was looking north across the bridge from the viewing platform to the Howard Smith Wharves. Seeing the landmark and its iconic slope was a fascinating and intimate way to admire the iconic structure from a new perspective. It made me further appreciate the ingenuity that went into designing and constructing to a degree I didn’t have before. Plus, it was cool to see the giant Felons Brewing writing on the roof of the iconic Howard Smith Wharves bar across the river.

However, the most unforgettable view was looking back towards Kangaroo Point, as it was the most striking and unique perspective of the city I had ever seen. I was transfixed by it. Seeing the Brisbane River lining both sides of the narrow peninsula and the Bradfield Bridge running through the middle of it with that sunset light was so breathtaking, I couldn’t stop admiring it. The iconic New Farm Riverwalk that juts out over the waterway was also a lovely sight to see.

The bridge climb also provided a great view looking down onto the roadway.

Difficulty Doing The Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

I am not the fittest person, but much like the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, I didn’t find doing the Story Bridge Adventure Climb too strenuous.

There are 1088 steps throughout the entire experience, including ascending and descending. I fell a bit behind, and my legs were feeling slightly tired going the distance between the road level and the viewing platform at the summit. However, that was also because I was trying to drink in as much of the view as possible. But the pace was reasonably slow to allow, and there were a few stops for much of the way, so I didn’t feel too overworked.

Coming back up to the summit on the return journey felt a little easier as there were more stops to admire one of the highlight views and get photos of the participants at the top with Brisbane’s skyscrapers in the background.

Work was being also done to repaint the bridge for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, so we had to go up temporary scaffolding at the start and end, which added more than the typical stair count by, I’m not sure how many steps, but it wasn’t difficult and even with the added stairs, I didn’t feel exhausted by the end of the experience.

Souvenirs.

There was a surprisingly limited selection of Story Bridge Adventure Climb souvenirs, such as books, hats, shirts and coasters, which is surprising given the Story Bridge is Brisbane’s landmark attraction and summiting it is one of its most sought-after experiences.

Adventure Climb Staff.

The staff and guides at Story Bridge Adventure Climb were great.

Our guide, Emily, was fantastic. She was friendly, approachable, energetic, enthusiastic and attentive. Her fun and bubbly personality elevated the already unforgettable tour, and she did a great job keeping us engaged and entertained throughout the climb in the way she told us about the city and bridge’s history, which included how the bridge got its name, who designed it, why its home to the world’s shortest highway, why the Story Bridge isn’t facing directly north (even though it was supposed to be) and so much more.

The other staff I interacted with also left me with a positive experience. While it’s a minor detail, when I emailed them about receiving the wrong images, they didn’t apologize and just said, “Please see below”, which I thought was odd. A little “sorry for the mistake” would have gone a long way.

Is It Good Value For Money?

Even though the Twilight climb is more expensive than the day climb, I think it is excellent value for money. The experience provided an unforgettable view of the city and a new perspective that impressed me despite having seen the CBD from numerous angles over my many visits to Brisbane. And to see it transition from having that beautiful golden, late afternoon light, to night time, where all the twinkling lights slowly come on and illuminate the darkness only made it even more magical.

Plus, the fact that it doesn’t take too huge of a chunk of time to complete also makes it the perfect activity to admire Brisbane’s beauty and learn a brief history of it in one fell swoop.

Would I Climb The Story Bridge Again?

Yes! It was easily the best thing I have done in Brisbane and gave me a new appreciation for this beautiful city I have known, visited and loved my whole life.

Who Would Enjoy Climbing Brisbane’s Iconic Story Bridge?

• First-time tourists to Brisbane.
• Repeat visitors to the CBD who haven’t done it before.
• People who love adventure experiences.
• Those who enjoy scenic spots.
• Folks who have a special occasion coming up.
  • Birthdays. I did it for mine!
  • Wedding Anniversaries.
  • Proposals.
  • Valentine’s Day.
• Companies looking for an engaging team-building activity.

Where Is Story Bridge Adventure Climb?

Story Bridge Adventure Climb is located at 170 Main Street in the beautiful inner city suburb of Kangaroo Point underneath the bridge’s southern approach.

How To Get There?

Brisbane has a fantastic public transport system, so the easiest and most stress-free way to get to the Story Bridge Adventure Climb headquarters is by ferry. I highly recommend downloading the MyTranslink app to coordinate your trips.

For a quick rundown, from North Quay, South Bank, Maritime Museum, Riverside (Eagle St Pier), Howard Smith Wharves and Sydney Street ferry terminals, catch the free City Hopper to Holman Street. The paid Cross River Ferry service also goes from Riverside (Eagle Street Pier) and Howard Smith Wharves to Holman Street. Alternatively, you can also catch the iconic City Cat (paid service) to the Riverside ferry terminal, then catch a City Hopper or Cross River Ferry for the rest of the journey to Holman Street. Once arriving at Holman Street Ferry Terminal, it’s an easy 350m walk down Holman and Mail St to Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

For those considering driving in, getting around the inner city is confusing and challenging, with many turns, laneways and one-way streets to navigate on top of traffic lights and congestion. Even though the Story Bridge Adventure Climb headquarters has street parking, it is limited. Therefore, I highly recommend reconsidering whether you need a car to go directly to the headquarters. I suggest parking at one of the train stations further out of the city, then catching a train to Central, Fortitude Valley or South Bank, and walking to the ferry terminal for the City Hopper, Cross River Ferry or City Cat to take you the rest of the way.

If you still decide to drive in, Google Maps, or Maps.me (my favourite as I can use it offline) is a great tool to help you find your way there.

Where Can I Park?

There is limited parking available on the streets around Story Bridge Adventure Climb. On weekdays it is paid, however, on weekends it is free according to their website.

Climber Requirements.

• People over 6 years old, taller than 110cm and weighing under 131.5kg who can handle climbing over 1000 gentle stops with frequent stops can participate in the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
  • Kids ages 6-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the climb.
• Complete a climber declaration form.
• No alcohol.

Not Permitted On The Climb.

• Camera/Video Cameras. – The guide will take photos of you during the climb. Everyone received a free group photo of all climb participants. Meanwhile, photos of your own group are an additional cost. Both are available from the reception desk.
• Loose objects, such as but not limited to:
  • Mobile phones.
  • Keys.
  • Wallets.
  • Handbags.

Gear Supplied By Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

• Fully enclosed climb suit and harness.
• Lanyards for glasses.
• Sunscreen.
• The website also lists the following (but were not supplied for my climb)
  • Hats.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Rain-resistant jackets.
• Lockers.
• Change Rooms.

What To Wear.

• Comfortable clothes that will fit under the supplied climber’s suit.
• Enclosed shoes.

Bridge Facts.

• Designer: John Bradfield – the same guy who designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Construction Period: 1935-1940.
• Connects: Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to the Kangaroo Cliffs.
• Height: Road Level: 30m above the Brisbane River. Summit Level: 80m
• Records: Australia’s Longest Cantilever Bridge & World’s Shortest Highway (Bradfield Highway – 1,073 metres.)
• Faces almost true north.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb Facts.

• Started: October 1, 2005.
• Duration: 2 hours total.
• Steps: 1088 steps.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Brisbane Near The Story Bridge.

• Best Budget: (Under AUD $200): ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street
• Best Mid Range (Under AUD $300): Il Mondo Boutique Hotel.
• Best Luxury (Under AUD$ 500): Felix 374 FF Apartment.

Whether it’s your first time to the city or you’re a frequent visitor, the most quintessential way to soak in the beauty and grandeur of Queensland’s capital is, without a doubt, summiting the iconic Story Bridge with Story Bridge Adventure Climb. That is because not only does it give climbers a unique perspective of the River City’s unforgettable landscape from the CBD’s best viewpoint, but along with a brief deep dive into the region’s history and the bridge’s heritage, it gave even me, who has visited Brisbane numerous times over the past three decades a new appreciation for this beautiful city and its remarkable bridge that is well worth the price tag.

Disclosure: This review is a non-sponsored post based on my Story Bridge Adventure Climb in 2023. All opinions expressed here are my own. Additionally, all photographs with the Journey.Discover. logo we not taken during the climb as no cameras are allowed.

If you plan to visit Brisbane, consider looking at these other posts.