AusLeisure

With Perth’s new Matagarup Bridge set for its formal opening on Sunday, preparations are being made for the introduction of adventure attractions on the new landmark.

Thrillseekers will soon be able to climb the new Bridge while a high speed zip line is also being considered.

The pedestrian bridge, which links the new 60,000-seat Optus Stadium with the city, is being seen as a key part of the revitalisation of East Perth.

Designed to represent a pair of Perth swans and resembling the form of a rollercoaster, the 65-metre peak has been designed with a view to hosting attractions.

Consultancy Saferight, which had input in the development of the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb experience, has been responsible for the installation of the guest infrastructure.

Speaking with ABC Radio Perth, Saferight Chief Executive Mack McCormack said the construction would be completed next week, with the Western Australian Government having indicated to him it would be soon followed by the installation of ziplines.

McCormack stated “you're going to be able to climb to the top, and then have the option of the fast route down, because you have gravity on your side."

Once operating, the tours would accommodate groups of up to 20 at a time on a 33-degree climb up the steps of the 65-metre tall arches.

There are handrails most of the way up and climbers will be wear safety suits and harnesses that will see guests tethered to a safety cable with staggered anchor points.

At the peak of the climb, where the two swan-inspired arches meet high above the river, there is a steel walkway.

From this vantage point climbers will have 360-degrees views where they can take in Optus Stadium, the Swan River and central Perth.

With zip lines installed, climbers would then have the option to walk back down the arches or take a high-speed flying-fox-style zip line back to earth.

Landing areas for the zip lines have not yet been decided but could potentially be on either side of the river.

Workers on the bridge walked across it for the first time last week and engineers have since been conducting dynamic testing and fine-tuning ahead of its official opening.

Image: Perth’s new Matagarup Bridge during a recent lighting test.

5th July 2018 - FIRST WALKERS CROSS PERTH’S MATAGARUP BRIDGE IN ADVANCE OF FULL OPENING

13th April 2018 - AFL BREAKS WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ATTENDANCE RECORD AT NEW OPTUS STADIUM

28th March 2018 - WEST COAST EAGLES AIM TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY AT OPTUS STADIUM

21st March 2018 - NEW PLAN TO DRIVE GROWTH IN WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TOURISM 

14th March 2018 - INTERNATIONAL TOURISM SLUMPS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AMID EAST COAST BOOM 

24th February 2018 - TOURISM’S HIGH ACHIEVERS RECOGNISED AT 2017 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

11th February 2018 - OPTUS STADIUM WELCOMES RECORD CROWD FOR AFLW FIXTUREW

29th January 2018 - MORE THAN 53,000 FANS ATTEND FIRST SPORTING EVENT AT PERTH’S OPTUS STADIUM 

4th January 2018 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF PERTH’S OPTUS STADIUM

19th December 2017 - LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM NEW OPTUS STADIUM CONTRACTS 

20th November 2017 - ONE DAY CRICKET INTERNATIONAL TO BE FIRST SPORTING FIXTURE AT PERTH’S OPTUS STADIUM 

11th October 2017 - AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS TO BE STAGED AT NEW PERTH STADIUM IN 2018 

15th July 2016 - NEW PERTH STADIUM TO HOST NRL STATE OF ORIGIN IN 2019 

7th June 2015 - DESIGNS REVEALED FOR PERTH STADIUM BRIDGE

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