Going With The Flow In Brisbane, Australia

Exploring the city by river taught me to appreciate life’s mundane moments

A beautiful view of Story Bridge. Photo by Matt Lillywhite

I’m sitting on the ferry when we pass underneath Story Bridge for the first time. Around me, tourists pull out their phones and snap a photo of the iconic bridge. Compelled by the same impulse, I join in, my phone’s camera lens framing the impressive steel beams.

Stretching over 2,500 feet, Story Bridge is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia, a marvel of engineering that has connected the north and south of Brisbane since its opening in 1940.

Story Bridge opened in 1940. This was my view as we passed underneath the bridge on the ferry. Photo by Marie Kester

On the water, time is different than on land. Cars zoom overhead at high speeds on the bridge. Meanwhile, directly below, the boat glides along the river at a leisurely pace, encouraging me to practice stillness and savor each moment.

I listen to the hum of the ferry motor and watch a family’s group of jet skis wiz pass on the water, laughter chasing the wind.

I see a father and son kayak on the edge of the river. When our ferry passes by, their small boats move up and down with the waves.

A wonderful view from the back of the ferry on a sunny day. In the background is the Goodwill Bridge. Photo by Marie Kester

The boat ride is a refreshing escape from our apartment. “I feel so relaxed,” I tell my boyfriend, Matt. “I’m so glad we came here.”

“There’s a reason why Brisbane is one of my favorite cities,” he replies. “Down here, things just feel different. There’s no pressure to do anything but just be.”

I didn’t quite know what he meant then, but as the weeks passed in Brisbane, I started to understand.

Matt and I are downtown when we stumble across a plaque that details the history of Brisbane’s bridges.

An informational sign about the history of bridges in Brisbane. Photo by Marie Kester