Story Bridge, Brisbane Travel Guide

The Story Bridge, a heritage-listed steel cantilever bridge, is a defining landmark of Brisbane, Queensland. Spanning the Brisbane River, it connects Fortitude Valley on the north side to Kangaroo Point on the south. Construction commenced in 1935 as a public works program during the Great Depression, providing much-needed employment and opened on July 6, 1940. The bridge was named after John Douglas Story, a prominent public servant who advocated for its construction.The Story Bridge is the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated, and constructed in Australia by Australians. Its design shares similarities with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as both projects had Dr. John Bradfield as the chief consulting engineer. The Story Bridge is not tolled since 1947.Today, the Story Bridge carries an average of 97,000 vehicles daily. While pedestrian and cycle paths were closed in March 2025 due to safety concerns, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb remains a popular activity, offering panoramic views of Brisbane. Beneath the bridge, on the Central Business District side, lies Howard Smith Wharves, a revitalized historic shipyard with craft beer halls, cafes, restaurants, and parkland.