Overview
Getting from Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane CBD and back by foot or by bicycle just got easier, with the $288-million Kangaroo Point Bridge opening for pedestrians and cyclists. Welcoming its first Brisbanites on Sunday, December 15, 2024, the new 460-metre bridge connects Alice and Edward streets in the inner city to Scott Street across the river.
Moseying over the River City's latest river crossing means making your way over a piece of infrastructure that has instantly made history: this is now Queensland's tallest bridge. To lift its 95-metre mast in place, it also required the use of the world's strongest crane.
Still on numbers, the single-mast cable stay structure features eight spans, including one that's 182.7-metres long, and deploys 32 tensioned cables. For those walking across, the bridge boasts five pause points to peer out over the city skyline and the Brisbane River, breaking up the journey along the 6.8-metre-minimum cycle and pedestrian paths.
It was back in 2021 that construction started on this River City river crossing, which also sports seating and lighting across its expanse, plus a cover over its pedestrian walkway that helps power the bridge via solar panels. The Kangaroo Point Bridge is Brisbane's third new green bridge to open in 2024, maintaining the city's love for ways to get across the Old Brown Snake. Breakfast Creek's Yowoggera Green Bridge and Queen's Wharf's Neville Bonner Bridge have also been unveiled in the past 12 months.
Also in 2021, news arrived of the Kangaroo Point Bridge's plan to become a destination for eating and drinking, too, thanks to an overwater venue and a cafe in its plaza area. In 2023, Brisbane City Council revealed a heap more details, such as that two dining spots will open — and that Tassis Group, the hospitality crew with Fatcow on James St, Longwang, Fosh Restaurant & Bar, Opa Bar + Mezze, Yamas Greek + Drink, Rich & Rare, and Massimo Restaurant and Bar to its name, is behind them.
Originally due to launch in 2024 but now opening sometime early in 2025, restaurant and bar Stilts Dining — which was formerly going to be called Bombora — will be the bridge's go-to for bites and drinks ten metres above the Brisbane River, while Mulga Bill's cafe will take care of bridge visitors' caffeine fix. Neither have exact launch dates at present.
Views are clearly a big highlight at Stilts, which will boast vistas spanning over the Brisbane River, CBD, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. Nothing has been unveiled about the menu yet, but the venue's design will take its perch to heart, evoking moving water in a homage to its above-the-river spot.
As for Mulga Bill's, it'll sit by the river in the new urban plaza that's being created on the corner of Edward and Alice streets. The cafe is pitched as a stopover spot for frequent bridge users, which it'll reflect in its bicycle-themed decor. And, food-wise, it'll serve up wood-fired pizzas, steak and seafood to eat in, plus pastries and picnic boxes to grab and go.
Both venues are expected to score ample foot traffic. Indeed, more than 6000 pedestrians, cyclists and e-mobility riders are forecast to be using the bridge every day by 2036.
"The Kangaroo Point Bridge is fast becoming a new Brisbane icon and provides the opportunity for more people to get into the city without the need to drive," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, launching the structure.
"For the first time in Brisbane's history, there is now a direct connection between Kangaroo Point and the CBD, which is great for residents and visitors as well as businesses on both sides of the river."
"The incredible design means this bridge won't just help ease congestion on our roads, it will be a must-do destination."
The Kangaroo Point Bridge is now open stretching from Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point. Head to the Brisbane City Council website for more details. Stilts Dining and Mulga Bill's are set to open sometime in early 2025 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when it's announced.
Images: Brisbane City Council.