Gateway Bridge Archives - Morningside News

Brisbane’s Elevated Workout: Your Guide to the Gateway Bridge Walk

In an era where fitness trackers buzz with daily step goals, Brisbane offers a breathtaking way to clock those numbers – the Gateway Bridge walk.

Read: Bridge to Brisbane 2024: The Ultimate Challenge from Murarrie

This impressive feat of engineering doubles as an urban fitness trail, delivering around 6,600 steps of your daily target while treating you to panoramic views of the working Port of Brisbane and Moreton Bay.

For residents seeking to combine their daily exercise with stunning riverscapes, this architectural icon, officially known as the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge, transforms a regular fitness walk into an elevated adventure.

The Route

Starting from Queensport Rocks Park, this well-maintained path takes you on an impressive journey up and over one of Brisbane’s most iconic structures. The bridge’s generous walking path accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists, making it a popular spot for fitness enthusiasts.

Alternative Starting Points

For Cyclists

Photo credit: Karen Natasha Mazarello/Google Maps

Cyclists can extend their ride by beginning at Colmslie Beach Reserve. From here, follow the dedicated cycling path that runs along Lytton Road until you reach Metroplex Avenue. Take a left turn into Metroplex Avenue, and this will lead you to connect with the main bridge path.

For Walkers Seeking Extra Distance

Gateway Bridge — Photo credit: Evening LX/Google Maps

Those looking to add more steps to their journey can also start from Colmslie Beach Reserve. When you reach Metroplex Avenue, take the path to the right of the small bridge. This scenic detour rewards you with wetland views and excellent birdwatching opportunities before connecting to the main bridge walk. The wetlands area is particularly active in the early morning, making it an ideal time to spot local wildlife.

Tips for Walkers

Timing: Choose early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak sun exposure
Water: Bring a water bottle, despite available fountains
Sun Protection: Hat and sunscreen essential – limited shade on the bridge
Photography: Multiple vantage points offer excellent photo opportunities
Fitness Level: Consider turning back at the peak if the full journey seems challenging

What to Expect

The Gateway Bridge walk begins gently but quickly transitions into a steady incline. The gradient provides an excellent workout without being overwhelming. Strategic rest points allow walkers to break the journey into manageable segments while enjoying stunning views of Brisbane’s maritime activity and distant bay views.

Read: Balmoral Cycling Club’s Rising Stars Set for UCI Track Cycling World Championships

This walk offers a perfect blend of urban adventure and fitness challenge, making it a must-try for both Brisbane locals and visitors looking to experience the city from a different perspective.

Published 31-October-2024

42-Berth Marina Planned for Commercial and Tourist Boats in Murarrie

A 42-berth marina will be built near the Gateway Bridge, on the Brisbane River, at Raptis Seafoods in Murarrie. This marina will support maritime tourism by offering overnight anchoring for business and tourist boats as part of the Growing Future Tourism strategy.

Once built, the marina will provide a much-needed docking option for Brisbane’s maritime tourism operators, especially after recent obstacles like the 2022 floods and waterfront developments. However, it is not meant to be a pick-up and drop-off location for tourists.

With construction clearances pending, the marina is anticipated to open in April 2025.

Tourism Initiatives

According to projections, the marina will bring in $66.6 million in private investment from the $15 million the Queensland government has allocated to five tourism initiatives. This financing will maintain 669 ongoing operational functions and about 313 jobs during planning and construction. The combined effect of these developments is anticipated to bring in over 216,000 extra tourists per year, translating into an extra $63 million in spending. The projects are expected to be finished by June 2026.

This effort includes a 50-meter jetty at Lindeman Island Resort, eco-cabins at Australia Zoo’s Crocodile Hunter Lodge, and a marine tourist hub at Townsville’s Flinders Street Wharves.

Growing Future Tourism, QLD QLD Dept of Tourism & Sport — Photo Credit: QLD Dept of Tourism & Sport

Michael Healy, the Minister of Tourism, highlighted the marina’s role in giving river tourist companies a secure foundation and commended Raptis and the Queensland Government for their cooperation. He also emphasised the Growing Future Tourism program’s contribution to developing fresh travel alternatives in the area.

The CEO and spokesperson for Raptis Investments, Tim Beirne, highlighted the importance of the marina’s project in boosting local tourism and stated the company’s excitement about obtaining money for it. In line with the rising demand for coastal and aquatic experiences, he highlighted that repurposing Raptis Seafoods wharves would provide security for home porting, encourage investment, and generate new job possibilities in the tourism sector.

About Raptis

In the 1930s, Arthur Raptis Sr., a migrant labourer, discovered his calling in fishing. In the 1950s, after relocating to Adelaide, his wife Anna started a fish and chip store. Their desire to succeed as entrepreneurs drove them to fillet their catch for nearby stores. Their daughter and four sons joined in, growing the company into retail and wholesale seafood.

A. Raptis and Sons Pty Ltd (Raptis) is one of the biggest privately held fishing firms in Australia today. Raptis is a local and international supplier of high-quality seafood products, emphasising responsible fishing practices. Australia’s fish populations will flourish for future generations thanks to their dedication to sustainable techniques. From the ocean to the plate, Raptis maintains premium seafood by utilising technology.

Published 18-March-2024

Drones to Catch Hoons to be Deployed Following Gateway Bridge Incident in Murrarie

Traffic cops have long witnessed hooning on the Gateway Bridge. This dangerous escapade on the bridge linking Murrarie and Eagle Farm will soon be contained with the help of a fleet of hi-tech, airborne surveillance drones.

In its bid to reinforce and strengthen its crackdown on hooning activities, the Queensland Police Services (QPS) has invested in covert drones to catch more offenders on the road. Officers are currently under training to learn how to become drone pilots as the agency increases its crime-fighting tools.

In Gold Coast, drones have been a successful part of Operation Tango Vinyl, which has led to the arrest of 99 individuals who were charged for dangerous driving. More than 20 vehicles were also seized whilst 400 people were issued infringement notices.

Highlights

Queensland Police Services is preparing to launch a fleet of drones to tackle hooning across the region.
Officers have been undergoing training to become drone pilots.
Drones have been effective in Gold Coast, where the QPS conducted Operation Tango Vinyl, which led to the arrest of 99 offenders.

Meanwhile, a QPS spokesperson said that video of the hooning incident in Gateway Bridge led to the arrest of motorists who were also charged for not wearing a seatbelt and for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The cops are also investigating a lead into another vehicle that dangerously drove on the bridge. Its hooning video has gone viral on social media.

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“These changes will provide police with enhanced flexibility when dealing with gatherings of hoons,” Police Minister Mark Ryan following the announcement of the QPS’ investment in these drones.

“For example, if dozens of cars were hooning in a particular location, police would be able to use these new hi-tech cameras to capture images of all the vehicles. The high-resolution images would allow police to identify each vehicle, and then proceed to take action against the registered owner unless the owner could demonstrate they weren’t driving at the time.

“The expanded laws would apply to a greater range of traffic offences caught on camera. An offender would no longer be able to avoid prosecution by simply masking their identities and denying they had been behind the wheel.

“There’s no apology for targeting these reckless drivers.”