Description

Essentials about Sydney Harbour Bridge in brief

Affectionately known as the “Coathanger” by locals, Sydney Harbour Bridge is Sydney’s second world-famous landmark alongside the Sydney Opera House. With its 503-meter span (1,149 meters including the ramps), the Harbour Bridge spans Sydney’s natural harbor Port Jackson as a beautiful photo motif and connects the northern part of the city with the city center and the southern part. From the Pylon Lookout you can enjoy a magnificent view over Sydney Harbour. Those who are brave enough can also climb the arch of the Harbour Bridge and are rewarded at the end with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

The architecture of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Its width of 50 meters, which accommodates a total of eight road lanes, two rail tracks, a bicycle path and a footpath, makes Sydney Harbour Bridge the widest long-span bridge in the world. The two granite-clad piers on each side, which rise 89 meters above the water level, are only decoration or serve as a museum and viewing platform (the so-called “Pylon Lookout”). In reality, the steel arch bridge is supported by huge foundation blocks.

The history of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Discussions about a crossing of Sydney Harbor began as early as 1885. The question of whether a bridge or a tunnel would be more suitable or whether a fixed harbor crossing would be needed at all in addition to the ferries was debated again and again. In the end, the decision was made in favor of the bridge variant, which was finally built in eight years from 1924 to 1932. The Hell Gate Bridge in New York, which had been completed a few years earlier, served as a model. Sydney Harbour Bridge was finally opened on March 19, 1932. In the planning stage, it was still the arch bridge with the largest span by far. By the time it was completed, however, it had been surpassed by almost eight meters by the Bayonne Bridge in New York City, which was built more quickly.

The BridgeClimb

Those who are free from giddiness and want to enjoy the best view of the city after the Sydney Tower can climb the arch of the Harbour Bridge in a so-called “BridgeClimb”. Depending on your preference, the 3.5-hour BridgeClimb can be done at different times (at sunrise and sunset, during the day or at night). Participants wear weatherproof safety clothing and are secured by a rope. Each BridgeClimb starts from the east of the bridge and ends at the highest point of Sydney Harbour Bridge arch.

The Pylon Lookout

Those who like it a bit more tranquil, but still don’t want to miss out on the view, can either cross Sydney Harbour Bridge on foot on the footpath located on the east side of the bridge or climb the 200 steps to the Pylon Lookout and enjoy an equally phenomenal view of Sydney Harbor from a height of 87 meters.

Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year’s Eve

The bridge is most beautiful to look at every year during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, which are traditionally celebrated in Sydney with a gigantic fireworks display. The Harbour Bridge is also pyrotechnically illuminated grandiosely.

Website

bridgeclimb.com

pylonlookout.com.au

Opening hours

Opening hours BridgeClimb:

For information on the start times of the individual BridgeClimb variants, see the website.

Opening hours Pylon Lookout:

Admission fees

Admission fees BridgeClimb:

For information on the various BridgeClimb variants, see the website.

Admission fees Pylon Lookout:

Adults: $15.00

Concessions: $10.00

Children (Ages 5 – 12): $8.50

Small children (Ages 4 and under): fre4

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Ferry lines F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7: Stop Circular Quay

Train lines T1, T2, T3, T7 and T8: Stop Circular Quay

Bus lines 301, 302, 303, 333, 373, 374, 377, 380, 392, 394, 396, 397, 399, 500, 507, 515, 518, 520, L94, M52, X03, X94 and X97

By car:

The nearest parking garage is the Wilson Parking – Clocktower.