Sydney Harbor Bridge – Bridge Climb

The one “tourist” event that really interested us in Sydney was doing the Bridge Climb (see http://www.bridgeclimb.com/). We had made reservations before coming and once we got here and saw the bridge…we were pretty excited.

We were on an early morning tour, 6:25 a.m. (That’s way early for me!) Our ship had moved into the harbor, so we had to tender in. Therefore, we were up at 4:30 and heading into shore before 6.

The Bridge Climb company has a great business. You book your tour, get there and check in, and then the 3 and half hour journey begins. You wait in the waiting room watching a video of where you’re about to go. Then you sign a waiver and take a breathalyzer. You suit up into a jumpsuit and put all your personal belongings in a locker (no cameras, no hats, no barrettes, etc…only your sunglasses). They show you how to put on your harness and lanyard; then its ‘accessory time’. They have caps, handkerchiefs, sunglass holders, jackets, raincoats, etc. and they all hook to your jumpsuit. There are very strict rules about nothing falling from the bridge.

Then you get a practice climb on a ladder and steps in the main building. Our guide, Chris, explained the steel ladders, steps, see through gratings, and such that we would be walking on. Then it was outside to start the climb.

You walk down the street a block and enter the access to the underside of the bridge. You walk through ‘a cave’ where you clip on and then you start walking along two planks on the east, underside of the bridge. You’re about 150 feet above the road during this initial part. You walk through the pylon and up about 4 sets of stairs and then a little ways further until you reach the ladders. These ladders are completely vertical and you move up and to the left, four separate times. About half way up the ladders you are even with the car traffic and can see them speeding by. At the top of the ladders, you reach the beginning of the arch and ascend to the top. You ascend to the top by going a little ways, resting, go a little farther, rest, and so on…until you reach the top. (It is not excessively steep, but you are pretty high up there and the weather is extremely warm.)

Getting to the top is amazing! You are 450 feet above the water below. You have a 360 degree view of Sydney. It is a great experience!

Our tour guide took photos of the group and a few of Todd and me. You can see Todd and I at the top of the bridge…1) the Opera House in the background and 2) looking to the west.