Harbour Bridge, Sydney

I have lived in Sydney for a whole year before I realised that you can actually just walk across the bridge for free. Start at The Rocks and walk across to Luna Park / Kirribilli. Sunset would be my preferred time. A must see!

Sydney Harbour Bridge is an impressive sight, and one of the iconic images of the city itself. Seeing it from a distance doesn't really give you a true feel for the scale of the structure. Driving across it gets you a little bit closer. But, if you're adventurous enough, the best way to appreciate the bridge - and profit from the amazing views it offers of the city, is to do the bridge climb

My cousins and I did just that a few years ago. The idea might seem slightly daunting - and it's a fair climb to a decent height, so not for the faint-hearted. But once you got underway it was just thrilling. The team who went up with us were great, reassuring, supportive and patient, as well as friendly. And the views were incredible, even on the grey day that we went. If you fancy an adventure, it's definitely a good place to start!

Definitely one of the places you don't wanna miss out on during your stay in Sydney. It's practically visible all across the city (maybe except for if you're in the business district) and makes a majestic impression on its viewer when standing next to it or walking over it.

Now if you're more the adventure type of person you should try the bridge climb. Yup, there's actually a company that gets you all the way up there and goes on an two hour walk ON TOP of the bridge with ya (alcohol testing, adequate equipment and a run through their test track included). And it's so worth it. Did it a couple of years ago with my family and had a blast. So go 'n try it, it's totally worth it!

This landmark is one of Sydney's great icon. New Year's Eve fireworks display at its best. The fireworks was simply spectacular seeing it all over the harbour bridge. Driving over it is amazing while enjoying the structure of the bridge and also the view around it of course!

what a view must go

The Coathanger (as it is affectionately referred to by locals, due to its resemblance… and the fact that Aussies can’t stick to naming things by their true name for long) is best viewed on any new years eve, from the water. Fireworks shoot from it, and rain down like falling stars… nothing is quite like it.

Sydney wouldn’t be Sydney without it.

Incredible structure and a real highlight. You can see it from miles away and walking/driving across it is awesome. A real must-see.

A must if your visiting or even live in Sydney then you have to get the train and travel over the bridge and look over both sides (preferably with a good camera) as you can see all of sydney skyline from both sides of the trains. p.s try and get one of the more modern 2 levelled trains

This is another must-see landmark in Sydney. I would definitely recommend doing the bridge climb. It is expensive but worth it. You are given overalls to wear and are harnessed onto rails on the bridge at all times so there is no chance you can fall off. It does involve climbing a few ladders so may not be suitable for everyone. You are with a tour guide who gives a detailed history of the building of the bridge which was very interesting. The view from the top is just amazing as you get a panoramic view of Sydney.

Fantastic bridge that looks great from all around the city plus when on the water, especially at night when it’s all lit up.
Offers fantastic views when on the bridge itself, & specifically has a lookout (with LOTS of stairs!) & a few different levels with info of the history of it. You need to buy a ticket to access this. And if you’re feeling VERY adventurous, there’s always the bridge climb to complete - although this in particulare doesn’t appeal to myself - I like to just admire the bridge for what it is!

I did my best to try and plan this for a sunny day but Im kind of glad it was cool in the end as you get quite hot from the climb.

You have about 1hour of getting dressed in the 'boiler suit’ you can’t take anything up with you except medicine e.g. inhalers which the guide takes up. You have a headset which the guide talks to you over on the climb.

It really is a gentle, slow climb and anyone could do it unless they were severely suffering with their legs. It takes 3.5 hrs in total, 2 of which is spent on the bridge.

Next time I do it if I ever get back to Oz I’m going to do the twilight/night climb – WIKID!!!

Sydney Harbour Bridge is my most favourite landmark on the whole world. I feel overwhelmed when standing in Sydney Harbour (I’m from UK).

The Bridge Climb is an absolute must as you will never get the opportunity to view the scenery around Sydney from a great height and to be able to say you climbed the bridge!!

I cannot recommend the bridge climb enough. It was one of the highlights of my last visit to Sydney. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a fantastic way to spend four hours. You get some fantastic views of one of the best cities in the world, and climb to the top of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and its incredibly exciting to be over 100m up above Sydney Harbour. You do need a good head for heights, however!

The climb on the Harbour Bridge is expensive and takes about 4 hours, but it is worth it, just for the spectacular views of Sydney, which are absolutely breathtaking.
If you are not up for the climb, then you must take a walk across the bridge and take in the views of Sydney. As with the Opera House, it is a must do in Australia.
The other thing that suprised me was how busy the bridge is - it is a main road into Sydney, which is a heavily congested city.

The Sydney Harbor Bridgewalk was a great afternoon. It’s not the cheapest way to spend the day, but you have to hand it to the company that runs it - they are a well-oiled machine that have everything covered. You go with a group, put on a special jumpsuit-type thing that they provide that has hooks on which to attach all of your gear, brief you in full and take care of you. I felt safe the whole time except for the ladders you have to climb; that was a bit scary but I got over it. Our tour guide was a chatty fella - he did a great job but I think he could have cut it short by :20 mins or so. It’s a full-on afternoon when all is said and done, so you definitely feel like you get value for money. Needless to say, the view is awesome and the tour gives you such an appreciation for what the builders had to do to erect such a structure.

Personally think the Harbour Bridge is far more stunning than the Opera house when up close. An amazing feet of engineering.

Of course, there’s the bridge walk which is good for the daredevils. For those that want to just sample the scenery, the Harbour Bridge museum is really something quite special and gives a unique insight into how it was built.

Not forgetting the harbour views!

Cross it like we did by accident at night when we lost or way - amazing

It’s nicknamed “The Coathanger” by locals, owing of course to its distinctive design shape. The locasl, of course, tend to be a bit hard on us Poms, but you can always get your own back by telling them that the iconic Coathanger was designed and built by a Pom Company (Dorman Long). The total cost of the bridge was $10 million (back in the 1920’s), which was not paid off in full until 1988. You can cross it by foot, road or rail, and you can climb it if you’ve got a head for heights. Once you’re up at the top, it is about 140 metres to sea level. The sheer ‘rush’ you get at the top is breathtaking, as are the views across all of Sydney. Allow 4 hours to do the climb! I don’t recommend it for anyone who is unfit, afraid of heights, or elderly. Beneath the Bridge on either side of the harbour you will find any amount of diversions. See Luna Park, The Rocks, The Opera House and The Royal Botanic Gardens. If you’re lucky enough to visit Sydney on New Year’s Eve, then don’t miss the Fireworks Display and general knees-up that takes place evrywhere within sight of the Bridge.

My Sydney Harbour Bridge climb was very cool, even if it was cold and raining that day.

You gather with a timed group, put on special coveralls, get tied together, and have some practice climbing. Then you’re led out onto the massive superstructure of the bridge, passing first over the busy traffic than up onto the great arches themselves. It’s all done with a lot of safety, and the climb is relatively easy with steps and rails almost everywhere. Still, once you’re up at the top with the wind whipping around you, 134m above the water and ships below, it’s breathtaking.

My only complaint was that you’re not allowed to take your own camera up to take any pictures (they even metal-detect you before you go up). I can see why they do this: for security, for the safety risks it would pose with people handling their own equipment. But it’s still a bit disappointing that you’re not able to record the experience (of course, they take photos of you on the bridge, and will happily sell you those).

I went with someone who used the experience to help conquer her fear of heights.

The entire experience, from check-in to prep to climbing and returning, takes about 3.5 hours. Lots of other helpful info on the web site.