The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is running a new, death-defying tour featuring a rope swing more than 80 metres above ground.
“After 20 years of climbs, it is fitting that we are marking this milestone by adding a new adventure to the Story Bridge experience,” Artemus Group CEO Luke Fraser said.
One of only three climbable bridges in the country, the Story Bridge has hosted breathtaking tours by the Story Bridge Adventure Climb company for the last two decades.
The swing is one of several expansions to the climb following their recent acquisition by Howard Smith Wharves developer, Artemus Group.
Other expansions to the climb include their ‘Toast at the Top’ and the world’s first wheelchair-friendly ‘Accessible Climb’.
“On a normal climb you’re walking, whereas on the accessible climb, you’re in a wheelchair that has been specifically designed for the bridge,” Business Manager Sarah Townsend said.
The accessible climb has allowed Story Bridge Adventure Climb to help several people with disabilities to feel capable and empowered.
“The accessible climb has been more moving than anything we’ve ever done,” Ms Townsend said.
“The people that climb really are making an amazing memory, doing something they thought they couldn’t achieve. It’s the same with the swing, it’s an experience that you’ll remember forever,” she said.
The climb itself is a roughly two-hour affair.
After check in, participants are harnessed and given a safety brief by one of the highly trained instructors.
The group then ascends the north side of the bridge, rising to 80 metres above ground to appreciate the commanding view of Brisbane and its surrounds.
At the summit, climbers are treated to a short history lesson on the bridge and other nearby landmarks, before finally approaching the brink and preparing to jump.
“There is something about the swing,” Senior Climb Leader Chap Callanan said.
“You can be up there so many times but as soon as you open those gates and there’s nothing between you and the road, there’s a feeling of ‘whoah, this is real’,” he said.
Climbers get to test their courage, making the choice to jump out and over the road with nothing but air beneath them.
Still shaky from adrenaline, the group descends and lands safely back on the ground.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb’s new swing is now open.
For enquiries, visit their website at storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au.
