Kangaroo Point Cliffs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kangaroo Point Cliffs |
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Cliffs after sunset
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 Location in Queensland
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| Coordinates | 27°28′43″S 153°02′03″E / 27.478535°S 153.034036°E |
| Climbing type | Top Rope,Trad and Sport |
| Height | 18 m |
| Quantity of rock | 372 routes |
| Access | < 5 min |
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are amazing cliffs in Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Australia. They are right across the Brisbane River from the main city area of Brisbane. These cliffs are a super popular place for outdoor fun, like climbing and running! They are easy to get to from the city and the South Bank Parklands. You can reach them by road, bus, or even a ferry. The cliffs were made a long time ago when people dug out stone from this spot. This stone was then used to build many important buildings nearby.
History of the Cliffs
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs were formed by people digging out volcanic rock. This rock is called ignimbrite or welded tuff. These rocks were laid down about 230 million years ago, during the Triassic Period. They filled up an old river valley. This special rock was first called porphyry, but now it's known as the Brisbane tuff.
Records show that Captain Patrick Logan started a quarry here in 1826. He was in charge of the Moreton Bay penal settlement. He used the stone for his building projects. Some buildings made with this stone are still standing today. These include The Old Windmill and the Commissariat Store.
From 1842, private stonemasons rented the quarry. One famous stonemason was John Petrie, who later became the first Mayor of Brisbane. In 1860, the Brisbane Municipal Council took over the quarry. It kept providing stone, even for ships as ballast. The local church leader, from St Mary's Church, thought this was a waste. He convinced the government to take control, which they did in 1864.
In the 1880s, the government built coal wharves at the southern end of the cliffs. A train line helped move the coal. The wharf was taken down in 1974. A special defence building was built at the northern end of the cliffs. It was used for storage and training. One of these old buildings is now the Naval Stores Museum.
Stone from the quarry was also used to build walls along parts of the Brisbane River. It helped build the Manly Boat Harbour and the new Port of Brisbane. The quarry finally closed in 1976.
Climbing Adventures
The cliffs are located on the east side of the river. They are near the Maritime Museum. They are also across from the Queensland University of Technology. This area is a very popular spot for picnics and abseiling.
The Kangaroo Point Cliffs offer amazing rock climbing for everyone. There are routes for all skill levels. It's mainly a place for fun climbing. Many rock climbers from South East Queensland use the cliffs to practice. At night, bright lights shine on the cliff face, making it possible to climb even after dark!
Cool Facilities
At the bottom of the cliffs, right next to the Brisbane River, there's a narrow park. This park has electric barbecues, tables, and chairs. You can also see cool sculptures and find toilets. From here, you get great views of the Captain Cook Bridge and the Story Bridge. You can also see mangroves, the City Botanic Gardens, and tall buildings across the river. The natural plants have been grown into beautiful gardens.
At the top of the cliffs, you'll find Scout Park. This park opened in 1982. It celebrates 75 years of scouting in Queensland. A new park was also created in 2010. This new park is where an old college used to be.
Heritage Status
The cliffs were added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2003. This means they are an important historical site.
