The Story Bridge Adventure Climb has switched sides – it’s now a northsider.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb has switched sides – it’s now a northsider.
By Marissa Calligeros
January 22, 2025 — 7.21pm
For years, those keen to scale Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge could only do so from its southern side, starting at Kangaroo Point. Not any more.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb has switched sides – it’s now operating from the northern bank of the Brisbane River, conveniently linking the attraction to Howard Smith Wharves.
The switch came after Artemus Group, the hospitality giant behind Howard Smith Wharves, acquired the bridge climb from previous operator XBrisbane last February.
The business’ office has also changed sides, with the tourism operator leaving its Kangaroo Point digs for a base on the northern side of the river under the Crystalbrook Vincent hotel at Howard Smith Wharves.
Despite complaints from residents of the nearby Petrie Point Apartments, who feared climbers would be able to look into their homes, Brisbane City Council – which manages the bridge structure and takes a small percentage of bridge-climb sales – approved the northern climb in 2021 under the previous operator.
While the southern climb is on hiatus, the company is awaiting council approval to link the two routes on either side of the bridge.
Artemus chief executive Luke Fraser said the tourist attraction had historically been focused on the southern side of the bridge, but that combining the north climb with the bars and restaurants of Howard Smith Wharves was “a no-brainer”.
“When you’re on top of that bridge, you are literally at the same height as some of the buildings in the city. You can see the river from a whole new perspective,” he said.
Advertisement
Loading
“We’re really excited to do our small part in showcasing Brisbane on the global stage as we lead into [the Olympics in] 2032.”
The company has floated plans to serve alcohol on top of the bridge – 80 metres above sea level – in cups strapped to a tether so they can’t be dropped on cars or pedestrians.
But when asked on Wednesday if climbers should be able to sip champagne at the top, Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell gave an emphatic “no”.
“Quite rightly, you want to be sober tackling this, and there are certain Workplace Health and Safety laws. But … nothing is stopping you when you’re finished to come down and have a beverage of your preference,” he said.
The company is also awaiting a decision on plans lodged by the previous owner in 2020 to build a platform and a swing at the top of the northern side of the bridge.
“The addition of the adventure swing adds a whole new level of adrenaline for thrill-seekers out there too,” Fraser said.
“Since fully acquiring the adventure climb last year, we’ve been looking at ways to maximise the fun for climbers, and we believe this new start and end point for the climb, right in the heart of Howard Smith Wharves, will add a new exciting dimension.
“Imagine doing a twilight climb and then heading down to one of the many dining options right on the river.”
Little was said on Wednesday about the continuing maintenance of the ageing bridge.
The bridge, which officially opened in 1940, has been identified as an “at-risk structure” since 2016. Rusted steel plates and rivets need to be replaced, and damage caused by salt-air corrosion and general ageing of the 85-year-old structure needed to be addressed, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said late last year.
The council is seeking more than $4 million from the federal government to help fund bridge repairs.
Meanwhile, the Queensland government is considering introducing a visitor tax as part of a 20-year tourism strategy for the state called Destination 2045. Queensland tourism operators and some councils say a visitor levy will help fund the infrastructure needed to cope with the tens of thousands of extra tourists expected to visit the state each year.
Hospitality giant Artemus Group
Artemus Group, founded by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry, with Luke Fraser as its chief executive, has multimillion-dollar plans to revamp Howard Smith Wharves, which it acquired in 2014. On the drawing board for the precinct is a 77-room boutique hotel, a riverside pool, retail space and a theatre hall.
Last year, Artemus acquired the old Rivoli Theatre building in New Farm for a reported $9.5 million to use as its Brisbane headquarters. It also splashed $110 million on Sydney’s Manly Wharf and the Manly Wharf Hotel, which it plans to transform into a bustling tourist destination.
Artemus hopes to launch Australia’s first wheelchair-accessible climb on the Story Bridge, using a $250,000 state government grant.
The business also received a $200,000 Tourism Experience Fund grant, which was put towards relocating the Story Bridge Adventure Climb office to the north side of the river.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Marissa Calligeros is a journalist at Brisbane Times. She was previously an editor at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Loading
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
