Bridges and Ferries, Published 23 February 2026
Indooroopilly’s old ferry crossing has one of those wonderfully quirky Brisbane backstories that feels straight out of a river‑town adventure. Long before the Walter Taylor Bridge existed, the ferry…
Indooroopilly’s old ferry crossing has one of those wonderfully quirky Brisbane backstories that feels straight out of a river‑town adventure. Long before the Walter Taylor Bridge existed, the ferry was the only way to get across the Brisbane River between Indooroopilly and Chelmer. From the late 1800s, locals, schoolkids, farmers, and even the odd horse‑drawn cart would queue up for the little punt that chugged back and forth all day. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was absolutely essential.
The ferry itself was a hand‑operated punt in its earliest years, later upgraded to a cable‑guided vessel that relied on the river’s current and a bit of muscle. People loved it for its charm and complained about it in equal measure - especially when the river flooded, which it did often, leaving everyone stranded on one side or the other. Still, it became a familiar part of daily life, with ferrymen who knew every regular by name.
Everything changed in the 1930s when the Walter Taylor Bridge opened just upstream. Suddenly, the ferry’s slow, wobbly crossings couldn’t compete with the novelty of driving or walking over a suspension bridge. The ferry kept operating for a short while, but its days were clearly numbered. Eventually, it was retired, leaving behind only memories and a few old photos of the punt nudging up to the riverbank.
Today, most people crossing between Indooroopilly and Chelmer have no idea they’re travelling right past one of Brisbane’s earliest river links. The old ferry landing sites are still there if you know where to look—a quiet reminder of a time when getting across the river was a small adventure in itself.
Original B&W Photos - Public Domain, ca. 1930-1935, Queensland State Achieves - Colourised by the Dave & Malou Channel.
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