Brisbane’s Story Bridge Adventure Climb with Kids
Did you know that you can climb the Story Bridge in Brisbane?
There are not many bridges in the world that you can climb, but Brisbane’s Story Bridge is one of them. While the Sydney Harbor Bridge is more well-known and a popular climb, Brisbane’s Story Bridge climb has beautiful views and can be climbed by kids as young as 6.
Brisbane’s Story Bridge connects Fortitude Valley with Kangaroo Point, connecting North and South Brisbane across the Brisbane River. The Bridge Climb begins in Kangaroo Point at 170 Main Street, just a few minutes walk from the Story Bridge.
Read on for our family’s experience with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
Arriving at the Story Bridge Climb in Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point is accessible by car, bus, and ferry. Paid street parking is available.
It is suggested that you arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time. As tours do not wait, it is important to arrive early.
We received multiple email reminders that included a waiver to sign to save time once we arrived on our bridge climb day.
In the end, we arrived about 30 minutes before our climb. It seemed as though everyone in our group arrived early.
There is a check-in desk immediately upon entering. At the desk, you receive a key for a locker, and all your belongings need to go inside. You can wear your glasses and sunglasses, but everything else needs to be secured inside the locker.
Plenty of chairs, couches, and tables are set up in the waiting room. Drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are available at the desk. The bathrooms are just off the waiting area.
Sunscreen is on the tables in the waiting area, and it is a good idea to use it on your face and neck.
As everyone in our group arrived early, the group leaders started getting us ready early. Each person is given a jumpsuit. The suits are grey on the bottom and blue on top. The jumpsuits were way too big for our kids, so the guides taped them on the arms and legs so that they could easily walk.
The next step is to breathe into a breathalyzer. No one is allowed to blow higher than 0.05 before the bridge climb. The kids were not required to use the breathalyzer.
After everyone was dressed, we all stepped into a belt and tightened it so that it would be secure during the climb. The belt is attached to the wall inside the waiting area and is later secured onto the bridge.
Those who wear glasses or sunglasses receive something to secure them to their jumpsuit. Hats are available, and those are secured to the jumpsuits as well. We did not get the kids’ hats, though, in hindsight, we should have.
Lanie’s Tip: Dress according to the weather, and remember that you will be wearing a jumpsuit over your clothes. We climbed the bridge on a hot day in early Spring, and it was much hotter than we thought it would be.
Heading to Story Bridge
After everyone in our group had a jumpsuit and a safety belt, we headed towards the Story Bridge, a few blocks from the office and waiting area.
Story Bridge is currently being painted, a process that takes 3 years. During this time, climbers cannot walk up the ramp that is usually used for the bridge climb and must instead take the temporary stairs.
There are 121 stairs up to the Story Bridge. That does not count the stairs on the actual bridge.
Once we reached the top of the stairs, there was a chance to get water from 2 water fountains (or bubblers as they are called in Australia). There isn’t another chance to drink water until the very end of the climb when you pass by the bubblers again on the way down.
Climbing the Story Bridge with Kids
Kids as young as 6 can climb the Story Bridge. Those 6 to 16 need to climb with an adult, though kids 6 to 9 need to have 1 adult per kid. The ratio changes to 1 adult per 3 kids when the kids are ages 10-16.
Our kids were 7 and 8 years old during our Story Bridge Adventure Climb.
After everyone drank water, we each secured onto the bridge to begin the climb. Each group has 2 guides, one in front and the other in the back.
We opted to be the last family to climb, which ended up being a good idea. We were able to take our time, and we did not feel rushed.
The group climbs up to the summit, crosses it, and then climbs down to the center of the bridge before crossing over to the other side. Again, the group climbs up to the summit and back down.
The guides take photos at a few points of the tour. Each group gets individual pictures taken, and a whole group photo is taken.
At one point, the group stops and learns about the Story Bridge and the areas that we can see from the top of the bridge.
Find more Fun Things to do near Brisbane with Adventurous Kids.
Available Climbs and Adventures on Story Bridge
We opted to complete the day climb as that is what was being offered as the best deal at the time we purchased our tickets; however, there are plenty of options to choose from to suit different interests. Our family was able to secure a very low price through a 1-day sale on the Brisbane App.
In addition to the following options, there is usually a special, such as kids climb free or seasonal specials.
- dawn climb
- day climb
- twilight climb
- night climb
- full moon climb
Climbers can add on a Lean Out or Walk the Plank.
The Lean Out is the only “lean out” over a bridge available in the world. Another activity only available at Story Bridge is “walk the plank.” Climbers can add on a pirate’s plank-style walk across the beams on the bridge. Participants of the plank walk must be at least 10 years old.
Other options that are not always available include participating in a game on top of the Story Bridge and abseiling down the bridge after your climb.
I asked about the abseiling and was told that it takes place near where the temporary stairs are, and that is why there is currently no abseiling available.
Story Bridge is one of only four Bridge Climbs available in the world. Sydney Harbor Bridge is the most popular bridge climb. A 3rd bridge climb recently became available in Australia, in Perth. The 4th bridge climb is the only one not located in Australia, but it is nearby, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Photos on Story Bridge
Participants in the Story Bridge Adventure Climb are prohibited from bringing anything with them, and that includes phones and cameras.
One group photo is taken at the top of the bridge climb, but includes all members of the group, including people you do not know.
A photography package is available for $24.95, and we decided to add it to our climb when booking the tickets. You can wait until the end to purchase your photos.
The climb leader takes photos from about three places during the climb. In addition to the photos with people in them, they also give you photos of scenery taken from the top of the bridge.
Where to Eat Before or After Your Bridge Climb
There are a few options if you are looking to enjoy a meal or a snack near the Story Bridge before or after your climb.
Our climb was HOT, and we promised the kids icy treats during the climb. There is a corner store, Night Owl Kangaroo Point, located near the Bridge Climb, and they have Slurpees for as cheap as $1. Night Owl also has ice cream, drinks, and snacks.
More options within just a few minutes’ walking distance include:
Things to Do Near Story Bridge
Story Bridge Adventure Climb FAQ
The entire climb from check-in to check-out takes about 2 hours. Not all of that time is on the bridge.
There are weight and height restrictions for climbing the Story Bridge. You do need to be able to climb stairs, though you can take your time and climb slowly.
The group stops quite a few times on the climb. Water is available at the beginning and end of the bridge climb, on the bridge.
Yes, you can wear glasses and sunglasses at the Story Bridge Climb. Glasses will be secured to your climbing suit. Hats can be worn as well and will also be secured to your climbing suit.
Don’t overdress on your bridge climb, as each climber is given a suit to put on over their clothes, and the suit can get quite hot.
Wear comfortable clothes under the climbing suit. Clothes should be easy to climb in.
Story Bridge Climb Wrap Up
Climbing Brisbane’s Story Bridge is fun for tourists and locals. Kids as young as 6 years old can climb Story Bridge. It is a fun and unique way to see the city.
Check the weather, dress properly, and enjoy your bridge climb!
