About Story Bridge Adventure Climb

20 YEARS OF STORY BRIDGE ADVENTURE CLIMB

At Story Bridge Adventure Climb, we’ve spent the past 20 years creating unforgettable experiences in the heart of Brisbane. Now proudly located at the vibrant Howard Smith Wharves precinct we make it easier than ever to step into adventure.

Our climb is designed for adventurers of all ages and abilities, delivering heart-pounding excitement from the very first step. As guests ascend the heritage-listed Story Bridge, they’re rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views stretching across the Glass House Mountains, Moreton Bay, and the Scenic Rim. Along the way, our passionate and engaging climb leaders bring the bridge to life with humour, storytelling, and thoughtful guidance, making the experience memorable for both locals and visitors alike.

We take pride in being a welcoming and inclusive team, accredited by programs such as Welcome with Pride and Hidden Disabilities. Creating a supportive, accessible, and fun experience for everyone isn’t just part of what we do – it’s who we are.

Proudly welcome with pride accredited

At SBAC, we believe adventure is for everyone. We are proud to be a Welcome with Pride accredited business, celebrating and embracing people of all cultures, backgrounds, genders, sexualities, identities, and beliefs.

As a tourism experience welcoming guests from all over the world, we understand the importance of creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels valued. The Welcome with Pride training has equipped our team with the tools and confidence to ensure that inclusivity isn’t just a value we talk about, it’s something we live every day, in every climb, with every guest.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor from across the globe, you can be sure your adventure with us will be “a warm, inclusive, and safe place where all are welcome.”

ACCESSIBILITY AND HIDDEN DISABILITIES ACCREDITATION

We are thrilled to include people with various abilities in the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience. We are the first in the world to offer a wheelchair-accessible climb.

For more accessibility information including a full guide to the experience and a vacayit audio guide, see our accessibility information page.

The Birth of an Icon

In 1925, the Greater Brisbane Council formed the Cross River Commission to plan future
bridges and tunnels across the Brisbane River. Back then, only Victoria Bridge and Albert
Railway Bridge spanned navigable parts of the river. The Commission suggested eleven crossings, including a Kangaroo Point bridge, which eventually became the Story Bridge we
know today.

Early Designs and Decisions

Brisbane’s commerce thrived around Customs House and South Bank. Any new bridge had to accommodate ships with tall masts and funnels, so an initial high bridge design was scrapped due to steep gradients unsuitable for vehicles of that era. The Commission proposed a shipping channel and various bridge designs, but ultimately, the Brisbane City Council favoured building the Grey Street Bridge (now William Jolly Bridge) upstream, opened just days after the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.

The Great Depression and Bridge Construction

In 1932, during the Great Depression, Queensland Premier William Forgan Smith prioritized
job-creating projects, including the Story Bridge. By December 1933, Dr. John Bradfield,
famed for his work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was appointed to oversee the project. The
design chosen was a steel cantilever bridge, suitable for the site. Building the Story Bridge
Construction began in 1935 with Evans Deakin – Hornibrook Constructions Pty Ltd winning the bid. Work included the innovative pneumatic caisson technique for pier foundations and
meticulous assembly of steel components. The bridge was built in five stages, carefully
planned to ensure safety and precision.

A Bridge with Stories

Named after public servant John Douglas Story, the bridge saw its opening on 6 July 1940. It
played a significant role in Brisbane’s growth, with over 30 million vehicles crossing it
annually. Today, the Story Bridge is a Queensland Heritage Act-listed structure, maintained
to last indefinitely.

Join US For An Adventure

Experience the thrill of history and heights with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Whether you’re facing your fears, bonding with your team, or enjoying stunning views of Brisbane, our climb promises an unforgettable adventure. Ready to make your own history? Rain or shine, we climb!