A wheelchair-accessible flying fox could be built over the Brisbane River under a proposal for the high-octane attraction in the Queensland capital.
The idea is proposed by Brisbane tourism identity John “Sharpey” Sharpe, who explained the attraction would connect Kangaroo Point and the city.
Adventurers would be harnessed to two wires and sent over the river. Guests would then have the opportunity to return back over the Kangaroo Point Bridge.
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The idea was first floated in 2004 but will now go through formal processes for funding as part of the Queensland government’s Destination 2045 Tourism Icons Investment Fund.
The fund has $80 million to allocate to approved projects.
Sharpe is also the brains behind Story Bridge Climb, Riverlife, and Brisbane Powerhouse’s Vertigo restaurant.
Speaking to the Courier Mail on Thursday, Sharpe said: “A flying fox has come up on a number of occasions and we’ve been championing it for many years and it could be the right time.
“My vision has been that Brisbane should be the most accessible adventure city, basically, in the world.
“This flying fox is absolutely amazing and it would be a world-first.”
On Sunrise, Brisbane reporter Georgie Chumbley spoke about the proposed project.
“A world-first wheelchair accessible zipline is the proposal,” Chumbley said.
“It’s the brainchild of John Sharpe. He’s behind some big tourism things in Brisbane like the Story Bridge Climb as well as Australia’s first vertical restaurant which hangs off the side of Brisbane Powerhouse.
“He came up with the idea of this accessible zipline because ... they created the world’s first liftable wheelchair to be part of that restaurant.
“This is a really cool idea to go from Kangaroo Point right across to the city.”
The idea has appeared to divide opinion online.
“Just imagine the issues when anything goes wrong?” one person said.
“As they say, build it and they will come,” another added.
“No, not at all. Dangerous idea,” yet another added.
The plan would be subject to government approvals.
Sharpe said he hoped the flying fox would be approved and operational from 2032, in time for the Brisbane Olympics.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city would continue to workshop new ideas.
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