Local attractions & landmarks
The Story Bridge ... Brisbane's iconic river crossing since 1940 is a celebrated tourist destination
The Story Bridge
The Story Bridge stands as one of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks!
The Story Bridge is a heritage-listed steel cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River. As Australia’s longest cantilever bridge, it links the city’s northern and southern suburbs, carrying both vehicles and pedestrians daily.
Since its opening in 1940, the bridge has played a vital role in Brisbane’s transport network. Originally tolled until 1947, it later evolved into a celebrated tourist destination.
In 2005, the introduction of Story Bridge Adventure Climbs added a new dimension, inviting visitors to experience sweeping views of the city skyline and river from above.
Nestled directly beneath the bridge are two cultural treasures – the legendary Story Bridge Hotel (a long standing local favourite) and the historic Yungaba House, both enriching the character of Kangaroo Point with their heritage and charm.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs are a heritage-listed feature of Brisbane's landscape, offering both adventure & relaxation
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
The Kangaroo Point cliffs are a heritage-listed feature of Brisbane’s landscape, rising proudly across the river from the CBD. Just a short stroll from Macleay Tower & Villas, they offer residents easy access to one of the city’s most scenic and active precincts.
Originally shaped by quarrying, the cliffs provided stone for many early Brisbane buildings and served as ballast for ships navigating the river. Today, they’ve been transformed into a vibrant recreational hub, popular for picnics, abseiling, rock climbing and outdoor fitness.
At the base of the cliffs, well-maintained walking and cycling paths connect to key cultural destinations including the Maritime Museum, South Bank Parklands and the Queensland Cultural Precinct – home to Theatres, Museums and the State Art Gallery.
As you follow the riverside path, you’ll encounter striking art sculptures relocated from Brisbane’s 1988 World Expo site, adding a creative touch to the journey.
For those seeking relaxation, the cliff-top Café offers sweeping views across the river to the City Botanic Gardens and CBD. Nearby, the Kangaroo Point lookout and shaded BBQ areas provide perfect spots to unwind and take in the panorama.
Virtual War Memorial Kangaroo Point
Canon Garland Memorial
CANON DAVID JOHN GARLAND, OBE
Born: Dublin, 1864.
Arrived in Australia: 1886.
Died: Brisbane, 1939.
`Architect of ANZAC Day`
Canon Garland was the visionary behind Queensland`s first ANZAC Day services, beginning in 1916. He crafted a commemorative format that blended civic ceremonies, soldiers` marches, hymns, resolutions, the ode, a minute`s silence, the National Anthem and the Last Post. This solemn format was soon adopted across Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.
With stunning views across the Brisbane River to the CBD, Captain Burke Park blends recreation, history and art
Captain Burke Park
Captain Burke Park sits gracefully beneath the Story Bridge at the tip of the Kangaroo Point peninsula. With its children’s playground, shaded BBQ areas and sweeping views across the Brisbane River to the city skyline, it’s a cherished destination for both local families and visitors.
In the early 20th century, the site was home to an engineering firm that manufactured steam locomotives, an industrial legacy now echoed in the park’s character.
One of its most striking features is ‘The Rock’ – a four-sided sculpture originally commissioned for Brisbane’s 1988 World Expo and relocated to the park in 1989. As noted in the Kangaroo Point Heritage Walk, artist Stephen Killick describes the imagery as a reflection on “greed, political deception, consumerism, war and innocence”.
Today, Captain Burke Park blends recreation, history and art – offering a peaceful yet thought-provoking space at the heart of Kangaroo Point.
Kangaroo Point Park
Kangaroo Point Park is located atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs on the former site of the Kangaroo Point TAFE and just south of the historic St Mary’s Anglican Church.
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs' Café Joeys’ is at the southern end of the park and a popular spot for coffee and refreshments.
By Vic Bushing
Riverlife Adventure Centre
Housed in the former Naval Stores, Riverlife Adventure Centre is at the base of the Kangaroo Point cliffs and is a popular place for hiring equipment and instruction for activities such as abseiling and kayaking.
It is also a popular function centre for weddings and other celebrations.
The Story Bridge Hotel has earned a reputation as one of Brisbane’s most distinctive and beloved pubs!
Story Bridge Hotel
Originally believed to have been named the Logan Hotel, the venue underwent reconstruction in 1886 and was subsequently known as the Kangaroo Point Hotel.
With the opening of the Story Bridge in 1940, it adopted its current name, Story Bridge Hotel, a title it proudly retains to this day. Remarkably, it remains one of only seven three-storey hotels from that era still standing in Queensland.
For decades, the hotel served as a social hub for the local community and workers from nearby heavy industries. In 1967, the Deery family acquired the property and began a meticulous restoration, culminating in its official reopening by Lord Mayor Cr. Jim Soorley in August 1994. The restoration process spanned more than a decade, returning the hotel to its former grandeur.
Over time, the Story Bridge Hotel has earned a reputation as one of Brisbane’s most distinctive and beloved pubs. Under the Deery family’s stewardship, it became known for its vibrant entertainment and quirky events, including the iconic Australia Day Cockroach Races and the National Festival of Beers.
In recent years, three contemporary spaces have been added, blending heritage charm with modern appeal.
Affectionately known as ‘The Bridge’, the hotel is celebrated for its exceptional cuisine, extensive beer selection and curated offerings of fine wines and spirits
The architecturally stunning Kangaroo Point Bridge has dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths
Kangaroo Point Bridge
Spanning 460 metres across the Brisbane River, the Kangaroo Point Bridge connects Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane CBD.
Opened in December 2024, it features:
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dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths, making it easy to walk or ride to the CBD
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unique dining venues including a Restaurant, Bar and riverside Café
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shaded viewing platforms
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shade cover on the pedestrian side
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lift access from the bridge deck at Kangaroo Point to C.T. White Park
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access to surrounding greenspaces, gardens and parks
Yungaba House
The name ‘Yungaba’ means ‘place of sunshine’ and derives from the Gubbi Gubbi Aboriginal language from the Maroochy area.
Yungaba, situated alongside the Brisbane River on the eastern side of the point, was designed as an immigrant hostel in 1885 to provide for new migrants. The use of Yungaba for immigration ceased in 1995.
In 2008, the Queensland Government sold Yungaba to developers, Australand, who restored the building and converted it into apartments along with constructing three other apartment buildings alongside the original building.
Image by Chris Olszewski
Cairns Street Cottages
The four cottages are located at the Main Street end of Cairns Street in Kangaroo Point.
The larger cottage on the corner of Lambert Street was built in 1876 and is considered to be the oldest freestanding house in Kangaroo Point. The other three cottages were built in 1885.
With the decline of the area when the shipyards closed down in the 1970s, the cottages sadly became dilapidated. In 1979, they were purchased and restored by Clive Chatwood, an electrician who had worked in the shipyards.
The site of the infamous murder of Robert Cox
For those curious about Brisbane’s darker colonial past!
'The Mayne Inheritance' by Rosamond Siemon, offers a compelling glimpse into the city’s early history. This non-fiction account centres on Patrick Mayne, an Irish migrant who arrived in Brisbane in 1841 and worked as a butcher.
According to legend, Mayne murdered miner Robert Cox in 1848 following a night of drinking at Sutton’s Bush Commercial Hotel (then located at the corner of Holman and Main Streets in Kangaroo Point). Cox’s dismembered body was reportedly discovered near the river’s edge. Within a year, Mayne had acquired land in Queen Street and opened his own butcher shop, allegedly funded by the stolen proceeds from Cox.
Despite the grim origins of his success, Mayne became a respected businessman and city alderman. His story took a final twist with a supposed deathbed confession in 1865.
Mayne's children, James and Mary Mayne, later purchased the St Lucia site for the University of Queensland and the family left a lasting philanthropic legacy to the institution.
Other sites of interest
Kangaroo Point is also home to one of less than 200 Mormon temples in the world (as of August 2015) and to the more than 160 year-old St Mary’s Anglican Church.
A heritage trail through the CT White and James Warner parks reveals a series of signs and sculptures to commemorate the lives and work of prominent Kangaroo Point people such as Cyril Tenison White (government botanist), Frederick Manson Bailey (colonial botanist), Silvester Diggles (naturalist), Oscar Werner Tiegs (entomologist and zoologist), James Warner (surveyor) and Harry Oakman (landscape artist).
Historical landmarks
Kangaroo Point has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
76 Lower River Terrace
116 Holman Street
Lower River Terrace
9 Leopard Street
69 Shafston Avenue
34 Amesbury Street
184 Wellington Road
94 Baines Street
2 Scott Street
23 Castlebar Street
261 – 267 Main Street
433, 447 and 449 Main Street
330 – 334B Vulture Street
255 Main Street
102 Main Street