The Eleanor Schonell Bridge, known as the Green Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge across the Brisbane River between Dutton Park and the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus. It is for walkers, cyclists and buses, and it is the first bridge in Australia built for all three.
It is a free walk with river views, and it connects the inner south with UQ and its lakes. This guide covers what to expect on the crossing and how to get to either end.
About the Eleanor Schonell Bridge
The bridge opened on 17 December 2006. Wikipedia gives its length as about 390 m, with a deck about 185 m long and 20 m wide, about 18 m above the river. Tall towers hold the cables.
It is named after Dr Eleanor Schonell, who made an internationally recognised contribution to dyslexia testing. She and her husband, former UQ Vice-Chancellor Sir Fred Schonell, developed standardised tests of children’s academic attainment.
The bridge replaced the cross-river ferry that ran between Dutton Park and St Lucia from 1967, according to Wikipedia.
It is a cable-stayed bridge, which means the deck hangs from cables fanned out from the towers rather than from the long main cables of a suspension bridge. John Holland Group handled the detailed design and construction.
Why the Green Bridge was built
The bridge was designed so that buses, walkers and cyclists each have their own corridor.
The bridge gave people in the eastern and southern suburbs a new route to the university. When it opened, the Lord Mayor said it would take up to 4,000 vehicle trips a day off Coronation Drive and Sir Fred Schonell Drive.
That is why buses and bikes get the bridge and cars do not. It is a public transport link first, and a good walk second.
Walking and cycling across the Green Bridge
Pedestrians and cyclists have their own corridors separate from the buses, so the crossing is a calm one. A curved shade roof covers the walkway.
The Dutton Park end is close to Harmony Gardens and its playground (see the Dutton Park guide), and a short way from Boggo Road Gaol. At the St Lucia end you reach the UQ Lakes area.
Buses on the Green Bridge
The bridge links the UQ Lakes and Dutton Park Place busway stations, so buses between UQ and the city and southern suburbs cross it. Routes and times change, so check Translink before you go.
What is at each end
Dutton Park
Dutton Park has Harmony Gardens and its playground, and Boggo Road Gaol, a museum. Parks, facilities and more are in our Dutton Park guide.
UQ St Lucia
The St Lucia end leads into the University of Queensland campus and its lakes. The road end finishes as a cul-de-sac, so buses do not cut through the nearby streets.
Make a day of it with other bridges
Brisbane has several river crossings that are worth a walk. The Walter Taylor Bridge is a heritage suspension bridge at Indooroopilly, the Kangaroo Point Bridge is for walkers and cyclists in the inner city, and the Story Bridge is the best known of all.
Planning your visit
- Cost: Free to walk or ride across.
- How long: The crossing takes only a few minutes each way.
- Cars: The bridge is for buses, walkers and cyclists, so you cannot drive across.
- Best time: Daytime, for the river views.
Getting there
You cannot park on the bridge or drive across it. Dutton Park is about 4 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 10 minutes by car without traffic, and you leave the car near the Dutton Park end.
By train, Dutton Park and Boggo Road stations are close to the Dutton Park end. By CityCat, the UQ St Lucia terminal is near the bridge, and Brisbane City Council runs the all-stops CityCat daily between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton. The CityCat has wheelchair and pram access and toilets on board. Check the Translink journey planner for times.
Nearby
- Boggo Road Gaol – tours and history at the Dutton Park end.
- Walter Taylor Bridge – the heritage suspension bridge at Indooroopilly.
- Kangaroo Point Bridge – another river bridge for walkers and cyclists.
- Story Bridge – Brisbane’s best-known bridge.
- More history and landmarks around Brisbane.
You might also like
- South Brisbane Memorial Park
- UQ St Lucia (Brisbane)
- Goodwill Bridge (South Brisbane)
Quick answers
Can you walk across the Eleanor Schonell Bridge?
Yes. The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists, with their own corridors separate from the buses.
Why is it called the Green Bridge?
Green Bridge is its everyday name. Its official name honours Dr Eleanor Schonell.
Can cars cross the Eleanor Schonell Bridge?
No. It was built for buses, walkers and cyclists.
When did the Eleanor Schonell Bridge open?
It opened on 17 December 2006 and replaced the cross-river ferry between Dutton Park and St Lucia.
How long is the Eleanor Schonell Bridge?
Wikipedia gives its length as about 390 m.
How do I get to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge by public transport?
Take a bus over the bridge itself, a train to Dutton Park or Boggo Road station, or a CityCat to the UQ St Lucia terminal near the bridge. Use the Translink journey planner for times.
Is there a playground near the Green Bridge?
Yes. Harmony Gardens at Dutton Park has a playground near the Dutton Park end. See the Dutton Park guide for what is there.
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