Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

It’s a crisp Wednesday morning in Sydney, and I am filled with nervous excitement. Today is the day I will do what over 4 million people have done before me: climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

This iconic structure is such a significant part of Sydney and is on the bucket list of most people who travel to Australia. Being a Sydney local, it’s one of those things you’re aware of but never quite get around to doing.

Construction of the bridge began way back in 1923. Sydney was a very different place then, growing and evolving at a rapid pace. It was a long and arduous process, with over 1,600 people working day and night until it was officially opened on 19 March 1932.

Fast forward to today, more than 150,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day, trains run back and forth, and hundreds of ferries pass underneath. And now, I will be adding to the numbers by climbing over the top of it.

My climb was scheduled for 10:25 am. I took a cab to the BridgeClimb starting point, which leads you through a historic part of Sydney called The Rocks—a must-see for anyone visiting Sydney for the first time. That’s worthy of a separate article altogether.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by the friendly BridgeClimb staff who guided me through the process, starting with filling out a safety form to disclose any medical conditions. Safety is undoubtedly at the forefront of everything they do. After the quick paperwork, I was ushered into a room filled with historic memorabilia relating to the bridge and its construction. You can’t help but feel a little nostalgic about the past and the immense effort that went into building this iconic landmark.

At that moment, it hit me: I’m going to be climbing the bridge any minute now. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, but I was excited to get going.

Our group was taken to a room where we were suited up in safety gear. Surprisingly, it was comfortable and not restrictive at all. Reinforcing their commitment to safety, the staff explained all the belts and clips, and we even practiced on a sample climb before heading out, ensuring everyone felt secure and comfortable with what we were about to do.

The time had come to take those first steps onto the bridge. It starts off with a bit of a ladder as you climb up onto the structure. As you ascend, you catch a glimpse of the harbour, making you eager to climb higher to see more. During the climb, you wear a headset, and your guide shares fun and interesting stories about Sydney, which might distract you from the fact that you’re climbing a bridge 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level.

Once you reach the arch of the bridge, the steps become wider and surprisingly manageable. You’re constantly in awe of the harbour’s beauty and feel like you’re on top of the world. We were very lucky—the weather was flawless with perfect blue skies. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

At the summit, they give you plenty of time to take it all in. Your guide doubles as a photographer, taking several pictures of you and your companions. Is there a more Instagram-worthy shot than this?

From the top of the bridge, you can enjoy amazing 360-degree sweeping views of Sydney. Words like “amazing,” “breathtaking,” and “awesome” don’t seem sufficient—the list could go on and on.

Our guide pointed out all the major landmarks visible from up there. I also appreciated that he took the time to chat with each person individually, asking if there was anything we wanted to know about Sydney or the bridge. Even though we were part of a group, it felt very personal.

We asked about celebrities who had climbed the bridge before us. They’ve hosted some big names—Oprah, Bette Midler, Kylie Minogue, Will Smith—you name it. Our guide had personally taken Australia’s very own Hugh Jackman to the top and shared some funny stories with us.

After spending a good amount of time at the summit, we began our descent, taking in the views one last time.

People often ask, “Is it scary?” It’s a big question, and it’s hard to answer because everyone has their own fears. Heights haven’t been an issue for me, but I can say that the staff and safety equipment made me feel incredibly secure at every stage of the climb.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting or living in Sydney. It’s time to explore our own backyard because it’s truly amazing.

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