Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge with Bridge Climb Sydney | 2024 (with Photos)

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic attractions in Sydney, so seeing this was our first time visiting this amazing city, we knew we had to climb it.

In this guide, we’ll share our unforgettable experience climbing the remarkable Sydney Harbour Bridge with Bridge Climb Sydney. 

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience

The History of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge: Options and Costs

Preparing for Your Adventure

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Key Takeaways

• The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is an exhilarating experience that offers panoramic views of Sydney, with varied climbs and prices to accommodate different preferences and budgets.

• Safety and preparation are paramount for climbers, with an in-depth safety brief before your climb.

• Beyond climbing, the Harbour Bridge offers historical and cultural significance as an iconic Sydney landmark, where your guide will share the history of the bridge and share interesting facts.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience

Imagine standing on top of the world, surrounded by panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the city skyline, and the magnificent Sydney Opera House.

That’s exactly what Bridge Climb Sydney offers. It's a unique adventure that immerses you in the history of this famous bridge while providing unforgettable views.

Since its launch in 1998, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb has been attracting millions of climbers from all over the globe, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Your journey to the top starts at the Bridge Climb Sydney office, situated on Cumberland Street, close to Circular Quay.

Here, you’ll start your journey to the top, guided by an experienced climb leader, who ensure your safety, while providing fascinating insights about the bridge and its surroundings.

Whether you’re a first-time climber or a seasoned adventurer, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is sure to provide a very memorable experience!

The History of Sydney Harbour Bridge

The construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was a massive undertaking, taking eight years to build, with Chief engineer John Bradfield, designer Sir Ralph Freeman, and construction engineers Dorman Long and Company leading the project.

The bridge played a pivotal role in Sydney’s development, linking the city to its suburbs and becoming a famous landmark.

The bridge stands at roughly 1,150 meters (3770 feet) and connects The Rocks neighbourhood (In CBD) to Milsons Point in the North Shore area. It’s many extraordinary arches are made up of 50,000 tons of steel that are held together by 6 million steel rivets, and impressively is the tallest steel arch bridge in the world (as of 2023).

The Sydney Harbour Bridge represents:

• An engineering marvel

• A symbol of Australia

• A new, progressive urban identity for the country

• A prominent symbol in tourism and immigration campaigns

• A part of iconic celebrations like the Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations

• A spot for protests, including a public act of support for reconciliation

Beyond its structural and cultural significance, the bridge also holds a special place in the hearts of Australians. It’s a national treasure and a symbol of Australia.

With its towering arches and stunning views, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is indeed the face of the country’s waterways.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge: Options and Costs

At Bridge Climb Sydney, you can choose from a variety of climbing routes, each offering a unique perspective of the city. 

ULTIMATE

The Ultimate climb is the most adventurous experience that is offered. The route takes you along both the upper and lower arches and you will reach the Summit twice!

• Cost: Adult $364  Child $189

• Climb time: 3.5 hours

• Step count: 1,621 steps

SUMMIT

The Summit climb is known as the signature Bridge Climb experience where the route will take you along the upper arch of the bridge. When choosing the Summit climb, you can choose to climb at dawn, day, twilight or night.

• Cost: Adult $294-424 (depending on time of day)   Child $149-$189

• Climb time: 3 hours

• Step count: 1,332 steps

SUMMIT INSIDER

The Summit Insider takes you through the heart of the Bridge, across the lower arch before reaching the Summit. This is a faster experience.

• Cost: Adult $344-$394   Child: $149-$209

• Climb time: 2.5 hours

• Step count: 1,002 steps

BURRAWA- ABORIGINAL CLIMB EXPERIENCE

This climb is similar to the Summit experience, however it is centered around the Aboriginal culture and stories of Sydney Harbour. The climb is led by a First Nations Storyteller as your guide.

• Cost: Adult $364-$384   Child: $149-$169

• Climb time: 3 hours

• Step count: 1,332 steps

Additional Info

Not only does Bridge Climb Sydney offer a variety of climbing routes, but they also have special offers and discounts on their tours.

For instance, they offer a 15% discount on Day Climbs for families within certain dates. So, if you’re planning a family adventure, this could be a great way to save some money!

Preparing for Your Adventure

The Bridge Climb Sydney office is located at 3 Cumberland Street, in The Rocks. You will need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled climb time to allow enough time to check in and complete all the relevant documentation. You can also grab a drink and snack at the cafe.

We were really impressed by the preparation for our climb shared by the friendly staff. This includes understanding what to expect during our climb, as well as the safety measures and guidelines put in place by Bridge Climb Sydney. 

As part of the health and safety requirements, you will be breathalyzed and must have a blood-alcohol reading below 0.05 to climb.

As you prepare for your climb, it’s worth noting that certain personal items, like cameras, phones, or GoPros, are not allowed.

But don’t worry, you will be sure to get some amazing photos taken by your guide which are available at the end of your climb! You can use the secure lockers provided to store any of your personal items and bags.

What to Wear and Bring

Bridge Climb Sydney provides appropriate attire for the climb considering safety and weather conditions. You will be given a snazzy climbing suit, a waterproof coat, a hat (which you get to keep as a souvenir from your climb), gloves if needed and a radio and headphones so you can hear all the amazing stories told by your guide during your climb. Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the uphill hike!

Climbing the Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an experience that will leave you feeling on top of the world - quite literally!

At the summit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking 360° views of Sydney Harbour. You’ll find yourself approximately 1,149 meters high, with the entire climb (we did the Summit climb) taking around 3 hours to finish.

The first step is walking under the road of the bridge on the walkway. This was a good way to get used to the climbing equipment, your harness and your safety equipment (which is very easy to follow). 

You will then reach the Southern Pylon and begin your climb up to the start of the upper arch of the bridge where you are treated to amazing views of the stunning Sydney Opera House.

Climbing several ladders and squeezing through some narrow passes, you will finally reach the spectacular Summit, spending some time taking all of Sydney in from the best possible view of the City, Sydney Opera House, it's stunning harbour, Luna Park and of course the Bridge itself. On a clear day you can even see the Blue Mountains!

After a rest, you will then cross to the western side to make the slow descent back, climbing down the stairs and back to the Bridge Climb hub.

Whilst the views are simply breathtaking, we particularly enjoyed hearing the interesting stories from our very knowledgeable guide. A real highlight of the tour!

Final Thoughts

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is more than just an adventure; it’s an experience that offers a unique perspective of Sydney and its iconic landmarks.

From the history of Bridge Climb Sydney to the breathtaking views from the top, every part of the journey is designed to make the experience unforgettable.

Whether you’re a local looking for a new adventure or a tourist eager to explore Sydney, the Bridge Climb is a must-try!

How hard is the Sydney Bridge Climb?

The Sydney Bridge Climb is not easy, but it's also not the most difficult climb. As long as you're over 8 years old and fit enough, you're allowed to take on the adventure.

How fit do you need to be to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Anyone can climb Sydney Harbour Bridge. You will just need to make sure that you can sustain moderate physical exertion for up to 3.5 hours. If you are over 75 years old, you will need a Certificate of Fitness signed by your GP.

What is the best time to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb?

The best time to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is during the twilight climb, just before or just after sunset, to enjoy the stunning views. Night climbs are also available for a unique experience under moonlight. However any time of day offers a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding harbor. Sunrise, daytime, sunset, or night climbs are all great options.

What is special about the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is known for being the largest steel arch bridge worldwide, spanning one of the most beautiful natural harbours and offering various activities such as walking, cycling, and climbing for breathtaking views.

What happens if it’s raining?

Bridge Climb Sydney climbs come rain or shine! But don’t worry, you will be equipped with all the outdoor gear you will need whatever the weather. Climbs may be postponed if there is extreme weather such as high wind or electrical storms.