Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb & Review
Introduction.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, spanning Sydney Harbour from the central business district (CBD) to the North Shore. The view of the bridge, the Harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is widely regarded as an iconic image of Sydney, and of Australia itself. Nicknamed “The Coathanger” because of its arch-based design, the bridge carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Under the direction of John Bradfield of the New South Wales Department of Public Works, the bridge was designed and built by British firm Dorman Long of Middlesbrough, and opened in 1932.
The bridge’s general design, which Bradfield tasked the NSW Department of Public Works with producing, was a rough copy of the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City. The design chosen from the tender responses was original work created by Dorman Long, who leveraged some of the design from its own Tyne Bridge.
It is the tenth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 m (440 ft) from top to water level.
It was also the world’s widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 m (160 ft) wide, until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was completed in 2012.
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how did you overcome your apprehensions?
Hello, guys, and welcome back to my website. Welcome back to another new blog. I write a lot of blogs about my travels and adventures. As you can see from the title of today’s blog, I’m going to be talking to you and giving you my review of the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.
I took a holiday to Sydney. I was there for nine or ten days, exploring the city and really having a great time seeing all the things I had always wanted to see. I’d always wanted to go to Sydney, and, of course, one of the things on the list of things you have to do in Sydney is climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. So, I definitely knew I wanted to do it. I was a little bit apprehensive about it because I wasn’t sure how scary it would be or how high it would be. I didn’t book it in advance because, even though I knew I was going to do it, I was a bit anxious about it. Every time I went on a ferry in Sydney and saw the tiny little people climbing at the top, I thought, “There’s no way I can do that.” But it was one of those bucket-list items I just knew I had to do. So, I decided to be bold and brave and book it. I didn’t book it until about two days before the climb. It was one of those things I knew I had to do because I didn’t know when I’d be back in Sydney again, so I thought, “I just have to do it.” I knew I was going to love it, but I was very, very nervous about it.
On the day of my climb, I got ready and walked to the Bridge Climb building, which was actually not very far from where my hotel was. That was good because I didn’t have to travel far. Everyone I met, even the woman standing by the door, was very helpful. I had to fill out a form—either to sign my rights away or maybe just to confirm that I was healthy enough to do the climb. I can’t quite remember what was on the form, but you had to fill it in at reception. I handed it to the guy at the desk. Luckily, I was quite early, so they asked me if I wanted to go on the next available climb, which was not the climb I had originally booked. My climb was about 15 to 20 minutes later, so I thought, “Why not?” I quickly ran upstairs to the waiting area where a few other people were waiting and hopped on the next available climb.
I was the only person there on my own. I think there were two other couples, and then there was a group of four or five people, but I was the only one alone. I was nervous about doing the climb, and I didn’t really have anyone to reassure me, so when the time came to start the climb preparations, we were taken into a small room. We watched a video about the bridge, and I think we also had to take a breathalyzer to make sure we weren’t drunk. We all passed and moved to the next area, where we were given clothes. We had to wear these unflattering outfits. I felt like mine was way too big, but it wasn’t that bad. We changed, and then we waited in the area. After that, the climb leader came over to us. This person would be taking us up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back down again.
The climb leader was really nice, and I think his name was Sam. He was comforting, which really reassured me. I think he could tell I was nervous, but he made me feel much more at ease. The people working there, from the door to reception and all the way up the bridge, were really nice and did their best to make us feel comfortable and ensure we would have a great experience. The preparations included practicing climbing a few steps, where you go up and then back down. It gave me a little idea of what the climb would be like. After that, we were given hats, which I wore on the climb.
What aspects of the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb?
I felt really safe after the preparation because I had a better idea of what the climb would be like. The climb really started when we followed the climb leader. I think I was behind him, and everyone else was behind me. I was nervous and on my own, so maybe he just didn’t want me to be at the back. The beginning was probably the scariest part, especially if you’re afraid of heights, because you have to walk across the bridge to the section where you start climbing. The bridge there is a little wobbly, and you can see right down to the street and water. That was a bit nerve-wracking for some people in my group, but once you start climbing up the stairs and get to the bridge, it’s amazing. The views are absolutely incredible.
The climb leaders take pictures at certain points, and they know the best places to capture great shots. I had an image in my head of what I wanted the photos to look like, and I was really happy with how mine turned out. The climb leader was excellent at taking pictures, and he made great conversation, which helped me feel comfortable. The climb lasted about two hours, not including the preparation time. It went by quickly, and before I knew it, the climb was over. I didn’t want it to end because I was having such a great time.
I did the summit climb, but there are other options, like the inside summit (which is less scary) and the ultimate summit, where you go all the way over the bridge and back. The summit climb I did is the standard one, and the climb leader tells you a lot about Sydney’s history and the landmarks you can see around you. You get headphones so you can clearly hear the leader, even if you’re at the back. I was really immersed in the stories, and I loved the views.
By the time I got back down, I wanted to do it again. I think I will go back to Sydney at some point, and I’ll definitely do the climb again. The whole experience was fantastic, and I felt so safe. Even if you’re afraid of heights, there might be some points where you feel nervous, but I think anyone can do it. You don’t necessarily have to be fit to do it. It wasn’t physically challenging for me, and I’m not very fit.
At the end of the climb, you get a certificate as a souvenir, which is really cool. I have that and the hat, which are awesome reminders of the experience. If you’re watching this, you’ve probably seen other videos of the bridge climb or maybe even done it yourself. If you haven’t done it yet, I highly recommend it. Everyone at the Bridge Climb was really nice, and even the people who weren’t part of our group were friendly and encouraging. The entire experience was amazing, and I want to do it again. You can also do twilight climbs or dawn climbs to see the city at sunset or sunrise. You can even do it at night to see the city lights, which I think would be incredible. I would love to try all the different times.
Overall, I highly recommend the Bridge Climb to everyone. It was one of those bucket-list items I had to check off, and I’m so glad I did it. I want to do it again. Thank you to everyone at the Bridge Climb for making it such a fantastic experience. If you haven’t done it yet, you should definitely give it a try. Enjoy, and see you next time!
frequently asked.
Is the climb safe?
Yes, safety is a top priority. At all times, participants are securely harnessed, and the climb leaders are well-trained to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Do I need to be physically fit to participate?
Moderate fitness is recommended, but the climb is not overly strenuous. Anyone aged 8 and older who meets the health and mobility requirements can participate.
How much does the climb cost?
Prices are subject to variation based on the type of climb and the time of day. Twilight and dawn climbs usually tend to be a bit more expensive.
Can I take my phone or camera?
No, loose items aren’t allowed due to safety reasons. But your climb leader will be taking professional photos that can be purchased afterward.
