Information
Landmark: Matagarup BridgeCity: Perth
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Matagarup Bridge, Perth, Australia, Australia
Overview
Matagarup Bridge, an eye-catching sweep of steel over the Swan River, links East Perth to Optus Stadium and the lively Burswood entertainment precinct, making it one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.This isn’t just a way to get across-it’s an adventure.The sleek suspension bridge invites you to stroll over its sweeping arches, wind in your face, or clip in and zipline down for a jolt of pure adrenaline.The name Matagarup comes from a Noongar word meaning “a place where the river’s only knee-deep,” a spot Aboriginal people once used to wade across the water.Today, it stands for connection and unity, a place where Perth’s sleek glass towers rise beside the warm stone of its cultural landmarks.Matagarup Bridge sits in East Perth, just 2 km (about a 15-minute walk) from the CBD, and it’s easy to reach on foot or by bike along its smooth, wide pathways.By train, the closest stop is Stadium Station, just a few minutes’ walk past the coffee stand to the bridge.If you’re driving, you can park near Optus Stadium or over by Gloucester Park, just a short walk from the gates.By ferry, you can cruise across the water to Elizabeth Quay, then wander the short walk into town with the smell of salt still in the air.So, why check out Matagarup Bridge?The architecture takes your breath away, especially when the lights glow against the stone after dark.From here, you can take in the Perth skyline glowing in the sun and watch the Swan River glint like glass.Take on the Matagarup Bridge Climb if you’re after a real challenge, with the wind in your face and the city spread out below.Soar over the river on the Matagarup Zip+Climb, feeling the wind whip past your ears.You’re just minutes from Optus Stadium, Crown Perth, and the lively streets of East Perth.Matagarup Bridge’s must‑try experience: watching the sunset turn the steel arches gold.Stroll or pedal your way across Matagarup Bridge, a sweeping 370‑meter span that soars 72 meters above the water, connecting Perth’s city streets to the lively buzz of Optus Stadium’s entertainment precinct.The bridge rises in an easy curve, its broad paths giving plenty of room to stroll or pedal past the river’s slow, green water.From the top, the skyline stretches wide, the Swan River glinting in the sun, with green parklands tucked all around.At night, the bridge glows in vivid blues and reds, casting a shimmering reflection across the dark water.The walk is free and open around the clock, perfect for a sunrise jog or a slow evening stroll as the streetlights flicker on.Number two.Matagarup Bridge Climb – If you’re after a one-of-a-kind rush, this trek carries you up the main arch until the city sprawls beneath your feet.The climb tops out at 72 meters, high enough to see the water glinting far below.It takes about 90 minutes to finish-just enough time for a cup of coffee and a quiet stretch.The real test comes at the end, with 314 steep steps behind you and a near-vertical ladder looming overhead.Your reward?A sweeping view of Perth from a summit platform so high you can spot the glint of the river in the sun.It’s one of the city’s most exciting experiences, drawing adventurers and photographers alike-think sweeping rooftop views that make your pulse race.Three.Matagarup Zip+Climb-soar over the sparkling Swan River on a zipline.Still craving a rush?With the Matagarup Zip+Climb, you’ll soar off the bridge, race above the glittering river, and touch down on the East Perth foreshore.The zipline stretches 400 meters, soaring straight across the glimmering Swan River.Riders can hit speeds of up to 75 km/h, fast enough to feel the wind sting your cheeks.Views: Looking down from above, you see Perth spread along the shore, the water below glinting in the sun as you fly past.Thrill-seekers won’t want to miss this-it’s an unforgettable chance to see Perth spread out below you, rooftops gleaming in the sun.Number four.Matagarup Bridge is a dream spot for photographers, its sleek, futuristic curves framed by golden light spilling across the river at sunset.The best shots come at sunset or after dark, when the bridge glows in shifting colors-gold melting into deep blue, then a flash of red.The Swan River often lies so still it turns into a perfect mirror, catching the city skyline in crisp, shimmering detail.For holidays and big events, the bridge glows in shifting colors-deep blue one night, a warm gold the next.Whether you’re snapping the sun’s warm gold sinking behind the skyline or the electric shimmer of the city at night, this is one of Perth’s most breathtaking views.For the Noongar people, the land around Matagarup Bridge carries deep cultural meaning, from the curve of the river to the rustle of wind through the paperbark trees.Matagarup is the name of a spot where Aboriginal people once waded through the river’s shallows, the water cool against their legs.The bridge’s sweeping curves echo two swans in mid-flight, a tribute to the black swans of the Swan River-birds deeply woven into Noongar culture.The Swan River is a sacred waterway, its banks steeped in Dreamtime stories that run as deep as the water’s slow, glassy current.Crossing the bridge isn’t only about admiring its design-you’re also stepping into thousands of years of history, where the worn stone under your feet whispers old stories.The best time to see Matagarup Bridge is after sunset, when its LED lights wash the arches in vivid blues and golds.At sunset, the sky glows gold over the river, and the city skyline cuts a sharp silhouette against the fading light.Event days-when a game or concert hits Optus Stadium-the streets buzz, voices spill from cafes, and you can almost feel the ground thrum beneath your feet.Here’s a fun fact about Matagarup Bridge-it opened to the public in July 2018, glinting in the winter sun.Built solely for foot traffic, the walkway gives people an easy route to Optus Stadium, just a short stroll from the riverbank.The bridge’s arches curve like the necks of swans, a graceful nod to the Swan River.The whole structure tips the scales at more than 2,000 tonnes-about as heavy as a fully loaded freight train.In 2021, they installed the zipline-Perth’s first bridge ride of its kind-sending riders soaring over the river with the wind in their face.Final thoughts-Matagarup Bridge isn’t just a way to get across the river; it’s where steel arcs high above the water and the city hums beneath your feet.Whether you want a slow stroll with the river glinting below, a sweeping view from high above, or the rush of a climb followed by a zipline, this bridge delivers it all.Its striking architecture, deep Aboriginal roots, and pulse‑quickening adventures make it one of Perth’s standout spots-you might hear a didgeridoo echo across the grounds.Day or night, you can’t miss Matagarup Bridge-a striking arc of steel that links the city’s past, present, and future.
