A breathtaking climb (Sydney Harbour Bridge)

Member Name: aylawarner

Product:	Sydney Harbour Bridge
Date:	07/05/09 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Breathtaking views for miles around, great fun experience

Disadvantages: Very expensive

The Sydney Harbour Bridge stands over one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and is one of the most iconic symbols of Australia, being seen in millions of photos of the harbour worldwide and being a backdrop to the Sydney Opera House and the midnight firework celebrations every New Year's Eve. Opened in 1932 it is the world's largest (not longest) bridge, costing over $10 million to build and consisting of 8 lanes of traffic, a footpath, a cycleway and 2 train lines between Sydney's CBD and the North Shore of the harbour.

Since 1998 tourists have been able to climb the bridge to take in the spectacular view of the surroundings and thousands of people have now done this climb including many celebrities, and you can now even get married at the very peak of the bridge. There are two types of climbs that you can choose from, The Bridge Climb or The Discovery Climb, each lasting 3.5 hours.

The Bridge Climb
This is the most popular climb which takes you to the very top of the Harbour Bridge, 134 meters/440 feet above sea level. You gradually ascend up the upper arch of the bridge until you reach the very peak in the centre giving you some amazing views of the city and off into the distance from every angle. You will then descend some ladders and walk back along the lower arch of the bridge.

The Discovery Climb
This climb doesn't take you quite as high so this option is better for those with fears of heights (although neither option is really that great for a someone with a fear of heights!). You will climb along the lower arch of the bridge and, once you reach the centre, you will get the chance to climb up the stairs to the very summit of the bridge. Then you will come back down to the lower level and make your way back over the bridge.

You can pick which time you'd like to do your climb and this effects the price:
Dawn - adult $295, child $195 (1st Saturday of each month)
Day - adult $189, child $119 (Monday-Friday), adult $199, child $129 (Saturday-Sunday)
Twilight - adult $249, child $189
Night - adult $179, child $109

We picked the day option but did it later on in the day so that we actually got some twilight as well and got the view as the sun was setting which was just gorgeous.

They are very health and safety conscious regarding the bridge climb and you have to turn up about an hour before your climb time so that you can go through all the health and safety rules and have a practice down on the ground. Before anything else you are required to take an alcohol breath test and sign a declaration form just confirming that you're OK to climb. As long as you pass the breath test, all your possessions are then stored in a safe locker and you're not allowed take anything up with you apart from glasses or sunglasses. Obviously you're not allowed to take a camera or video camera up there as it's a huge height to drop from and would undoubtedly kill someone on the ground. You should wear comfortable and tight walking shoes/trainers and they give you a grey and blue bridge suit (like a jump suit) to wear over your clothes. You do look really stupid in this but everyone else looks exactly the same so you don't need to worry!

Once you're all dressed and ready, you then gear up by strapping the things you'll need onto your bridge suit such as glasses/sunglasses, a hat or hanky (if needed), gloves and fleece for cold weather, a communications device (microphone and earphones so that you can hear and speak to the guide and group), and, of course, the safety harness. You do not need to worry about falling off the bridge as the safety harness attaches to your suit and this is attached to the bridge at all times. You are then guided through what the walk will consist of and shown how to use all the items attached to you.

At first, it's quite scary getting out there on the bridge but it's an easy walk and you soon get used to it. I'm fine with heights but I hate walking on floors with the holes in that you can see through and there's quite a few of these to go over which made me panic a bit. You shouldn't get worn out on the climb as the arch is a very gradual incline that takes you slowly upwards. As you are walking your guide will take you through the sights around you and tell you about the history of the bridge. You can use your microphone to ask any questions and to interact with the rest of the group. The guide will take some pictures of you, either individually, with family and friends, or with the rest of the group, at various stages along the way so that you aren't left without any permanent memories of it. A group photo is included in the price of the climb but any extra photos you have to pay for at the end. These weren't expensive though (if I remember rightly it cost us $15 for 4 photos in a sleeve) and they were really great pictures.

From the top you can view the Sydney Opera House, Sydney's CBD and the whole of Sydney, as well as being able to see miles out to the surrounding areas and, on a clear day, even as far away as the Blue Mountains. The views are simply breathtaking and just the feeling of being that high up is astounding.

Although very expensive, this is one of those things that you just have to do when you visit Sydney and the money is well worth it. It's one of the main attractions in the whole of Australia and feels like a real achievement to have got to the top. When you're back on the ground and looking up at the bridge, you just can't believe that you've been all the way up there!

Summary: An amazing experience that's well worth the money