The Bridges over the Brisbane River...

Another post now about that trip DH and I did, cruising up the Brisbane River and back again. I remember reading a report quite a few years ago which concluded that there were not enough bridges crossing over the Brisbane River. But since then there has been a number of new bridges built and a Google search revealed that there are now 15 bridges which cross this river. But I'm going to include some bridges that cross tributaries and while most people don't notice them, these smaller bridges carry a lot of traffic.

So here we go...let's check out those bridges!

The bridge farthest downstream is the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge; basically 2 bridges with the original one being called The Gateway Bridge...

The next bridge is over the mouth of Norman Creek rather than the Brisbane River, where Norman Creek flows into the Brisbane River...

Then as the river flows past Newstead, there is the Breakfast Creek Bridge. (Oxley, an early explorer of this region is reported to have stopped for breakfast where this tributary flows into the Brisbane River and so the creek was named...believe it or not! lol) 

The next bridge we come to is the Story Bridge designed by John Bradfield, who also designed the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. This bridge was opened in 1940. I love this bridge...

The next bridge was built as part of a freeway ( SE Freeway, now M1)...one of the first freeways in Brisbane. It was originally known as the Gardens' Point Bridge but the name was changed to the Captain Cook Bridge. It was opened in 1972.

The next bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge, known as the Goodwill Bridge opened in 2001. On the south bank approach it is just near the Maritime Museum. 

Cruise a little farther and we come to the Victoria Bridge...this one opened in 1969 and is the third permanent structure known as the Victoria Bridge. The first one was washed away in the great flood of 1893! I didn't actually take a photo of the Victoria Bridge so I 'borrowed' this one from the Internet. Notice how alike the Captain Cook Bridge it is?

The next bridge we come to is another pedestrian and cyclist bridge known as the Kurilpa Bridge and opened in 2009...

Then we come to another one of my favourite bridges...the lovely old William Jolly Bridge aka Grey St Bridge, opened in 1932.

Not far from the William Jolly Bridge is the Merivale Railway Bridge which was opened in 1978. This bridge meant that trains on the south side could continue on to the north side of town instead of terminating at South Brisbane. Not just suburban trains but also those coming from interstate. 

The northern end of the Merivale St, Railway Bridge

 Just near the Merivale bridge is yet another road bridge...the Go Between Bridge which links West End to Hale St on the north side. It was opened in 2010.

Looking downstream towards the city...3 bridges in a row!

Crossing from Dutton Park to near the University of Queensland at St Lucia, we have the Eleanor Schonell Bridge which was opened in 2006. This bridge was originally called the Green Bridge but it was later changed to honor a great academic from UQ. This bridge is for pedestrians, cyclists, buses and emergency vehicles only. This is another bridge that I find beautiful...and therefore I took a lot of photos :-)

Underneath...

A bus on the bridge heading from Dutton Park to St Lucia...

The next bridges are at Indooroopilly and there are 4 side by side...

L-R, Jack Pesch, Albert Rail, Indooroopilly Rail and the Walter Taylor Bridges...

Going upstream we first go under the Jack Pesch pedestrian and cyclist bridge. This bridge was opened in 1998.Nestled beside that bridge is the Albert Rail Bridge which was opened in 1895 and enabled a train link between Brisbane and Ipswich. Right beside the Albert Bridge is a newer rail bridge opened in 1957...known simply as the Indooroopilly Rail Bridge. 

And then, 'snuggled up' beside the Albert Bridge is yet another of my favourite Brisbane bridges...The Walter Taylor Bridge, opened in 1936. 

The flats/apartments in the towers of the bridge always fascinated me as a child...oh all right! They fascinated me as an adult too!! lol

Then the final bridge over the Brisbane River is the Centenary Bridge, opened 1964. This bridge opened up a number of suburbs collectively called the Centenary Estate for development. It is part of the Western Freeway.  

It looks very quiet, but this bridge  is part of the freeway!

The Centenary Bridge takes a lot of traffic each day!

I've been fortunate to have travelled a bit and have admired bridges such as those over the Thames, especially Tower Bridge (I've been there when it opened to let a tall masted yacht through!), the wonderful bridge built by Brunel in Bristol, the lovely old bridges in Newcastle, UK, the elegant old Brooklyn Bridge, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and amazing high bridges over the Snake and Columbia Rivers and was absolutely charmed by the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bridge...but some of those bridges here in my home town are pretty special to me as well.