History Of Story Bridge In 60 Seconds

A monstrous mass of steel, Brisbane’s Story Bridge is perhaps the most imposing of the city’s 16 river crossings. The 777m long structure reaches from the dramatic Kangaroo Point cliffs to the vibrant Fortitude Valley precinct on the edge of the central business district.

The bridge was designed in 1934 by Brisbane-born Dr John Bradfield, who was well known for his role as the chief engineer on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bradfield’s inspiration for the Story Bridge came from further afield however, drawing heavily from the design and functionality of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Canada. Bradfield’s incorporates a cantilevered section of more than 282m, making it the longest cantilevered bridge in the country.

Over 12,000 tonnes of steel were used in the construction, with most of the frames and trusses fabricated in a Rocklea workshop more than 10km further out of town. Large sections of the bridge were erected at the workshop to ensure each piece fit perfectly, before being dismantled again for transportation.

At the busiest period, over 400 men were employed in the bridge’s construction. Those working on the foundations worked in modified deep sea diver suits, as they were sunk more than 30 meters under the river’s surface.

A toll booth was established on one side to recuperate construction costs, at a fee equivalent to five cents per vehicle. This tolls were lifted much earlier than authorities expected, largely thanks to the increased traffic from United States army troops during World War Two (the city was the Allied Forces’ headquarters for the South West Pacific campaign).

The only reason you’d have to pay to cross the bridge these days is if you undertook a Story Bridge Climb. Popular with locals and visitors, this high altitude experience will certainly get your heart racing and is the most dramatic vantage point from which to view the city skyline.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.