Christina's Cucina

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Home » Country » Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: the Experience of a Lifetime with BridgeClimb Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: the Experience of a Lifetime with BridgeClimb Sydney

April 15th, 2018 | 26 Comments

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is truly an experience that will not long be forgotten with BridgeClimb Sydney! The views alone are breathtaking and worth the trek. Will you put the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb on YOUR bucket list?

Christina and husband on Sydney's Harbour Bridge Climb

Apparently, I’m a bit out of touch. When I saw all the celebrities who have already done the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb, I was really surprised! Who knew?

Disclosure: I was hosted by BridgeClimb Sydney for my experience. I paid full-price for my husband’s ticket. Auto Europe provided me with a 20% discount. All opinions are solely my own.

You might be following along on my trip Down Under which we booked on a whim. After seeing an incredible price on a Scott’s Cheap Flights email for flights to Auckland, we booked immediately. We had 6 days on a road trip in beautiful New Zealand seeing things like the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, exploring Tongariro National Park and Te Puia.

Te Puia
Te Puia

We then flew to Sydney, rented a car through Auto Europe (yes, Australian rentals, too!) and headed south to visit relatives I’d never met in person! My mother has two first cousins who live outside of Sydney, and it was lovely to see everyone in person!

They were so gracious, and cousin Clara played lead tour director taking us to Wollongong, the beaches of Port Kembla and Kiama, among other places!

Beach at Port Kembla
Port Kembla

When we were at the house, I spied some photos in my aunt and uncle’s living room! They had done the bridge climb 5 years before with two of their grandchildren! Aren’t these great?

The Risi Family on the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Risi Family on the Sydney Harbour Bridge

I think they all look like celebrities! :)

After our family weekend together, my husband and I drove back to Sydney and dropped our car off at the airport. Like most cities, Sydney isn’t the best place to have a car. Parking rates are simply outrageous, just so you know. We grabbed a couple of Opal cards (public transport cards, like London’s Oyster card) and were on our way.

We checked into our hotel which was near Circular Quay, a fabulous location to be centrally located for sightseeing in Sydney. It’s basically between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

I also wanted to stay in the Circular Quay area because we had our reservation for the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb the next morning. I was more excited than wary, but I have to admit, I wasn’t sure whether I’d get “jelly legs” up there, or not!

Apparently, the team are great with guests who have a fear of heights. (I’m actually not too bad with heights, but some situations are not my cup of tea.) I’d also spoken to my friend Cathy from ShePaused4Thought who had already climbed the bridge (I had no idea) and she said it was a piece of cake.

So, off we went in the morning, walking to a coffee shop for a light bite and hot beverage on the way to the Bridge Climb experience.

Coffee in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

What’s it Like to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb?

We didn’t have the best of luck with the weather during our trip Down Under, but the conditions truly could have been worse for climbing the bridge that day. We had a rather dull, overcast and very windy day, but look at this group’s photo!

Wet weather Sydney Harbour Bridge CLimb
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

We arrived at the specified location, at the base of the beginning of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a few minutes early.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Entrance to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

I picked up our tickets and we explored the BridgeClimb gift shop. We also looked at celebrity pictures who had already done the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. (Link below.)

We had the morning climb scheduled, but I must admit, it was really difficult to choose which one to do! There are five types of climbs available, and they’re available at different times of the day. The dawn climb may have graced us with an amazing sunrise. Taking the afternoon climb could have been brighter and sunnier.

Dawn Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

The twilight climb might have provided a beautiful sunset and city views. I might just have to go back to do each one as it’s always a different experience!

Sunset Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney, September 14 2013. PHOTO: GEOFF JONES

Preparing for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Our group was taken to start the preliminary paperwork. We filled out our forms and everyone took a breathalyzer test. Fortunately we all passed at 9:30 in the morning. :)

Then it was time to “suit-up”! We met Chris, who was going to be our climb leader. He was great, and led us through the procedures on getting ready for the climb.

Note: as one might expect, climbers are not allowed to bring anything with them on the climb. No cell phones, cameras, bags, purses, or items which need to be carried may be taken with you. We were all given lockers to store our valuables. Glasses and sunglasses are okay as they can be attached. (Since I didn’t have a camera, all photos ON the bridge are courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney, as noted.)

Everyone over the age of eight (climbers 8 to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult), in good health may climb the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb tickets

Most of all, safety is the number one priority at BridgeClimb Sydney. There’s even an indoor set of steps which is similar to the most strenuous stairs that are part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. It’s really not too difficult. Unless you have a health issue or have difficulty walking or going up stairs, you’ll be fine.

Chris briefed us on what to expect and once we had all of our gear on (there are headsets, belts, hats and more). Next, we were ready to head out to the bridge!

Leaving the tunnel to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

While we were walking to and on the bridge, Chris gave us a fantastic background on the history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was truly interesting to learn so much about it, especially since he told us how the builders had no safety equipment.

Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Bridge Construction photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

All guests are ATTACHED to the bridge at all times. I couldn’t imagine being up with with nothing as a safety precaution (especially since it was windy that day)! Unfortunately, some of the workers lost their lives. It was sad to imagine how terrible that would have been for those men and their families.

This is where we ended up after navigating the stairs, which again, were not difficult to climb.

Bridge Climb experience
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

Once we arrived at the top, Chris took photos of all of us, including a few group shots. No one had any qualms about being so high up even in such windy conditions. I don’t know the views make it all worthwhile, or the safety precautions help, but everyone loved the experience at the top!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
The views are breathtaking!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
I could have stayed here all day!
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
You can see how windy it was here!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Eventually, we made our way back down after some time to take in the views at the top. The entire time you should allow to climb the bridge is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

BridgeClimb Certificate

Once you are back at the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb center, you will receive a certificate of your accomplishment and a group photo. Here’s Chris with me and my certificate!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Chris

Other photos taken on the climb are available for purchase.

The Pylon Lookout

Don’t forget to use your Pylon Lookout ticket which is included in the price of a BridgeClimb ticket. Unfortunately for me, I chose to wait to use mine another day (the Pylon Lookout tickets are valid for a few weeks). I hoped I could take some photos from the vantage point on a clearer and sunnier day, however, it was bucketing rain when I went back to Sydney. Remember I told you I didn’t have much luck with the weather? 😢

I would love to go back and do the BridgeClimb again! Maybe next time I’ll do a twilight or nighttime climb!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

What about you? Have you already done the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb? Have you heard of it and is it on your bucket list? Or is this your first time hearing about it? Let me know in the comments below!

If you’d like more information or would like to book tickets, see the link below (not an affiliate link).

BridgeClimb Sydney

Or if you’d like to peruse the celebrity shots, click this link~

Celebrity Bridge Climbers


 

 

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AUSTRALIA, Country · Australia, Auto Europe, bridge, bridge climb, Circular Quay, Down Under, Sydney, Sydney bridge, Sydney Harbor, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Travel, travels

Reader Interactions

26 Responses

  1. Australian Crunch Bars (with a Gluten Free Version) from the Bee's Knees British Imports - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 15, 2020 at 8:00 am

    […] came to visit me when they were in LA! It seems that no one knows why this recipe is named after Australia, but it doesn’t really matter. They are fantastic, so who cares what they’re called. […]

    Reply
  2. Christina's Breaded Pork Chops (Schnitzel) - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 13, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    […] also gone to the Caribbean, and Australia twice. This only confirms how much I adore discovering new dishes and flavors across the […]

    Reply
  3. Hotel Review: the Horizon Club and Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 28, 2018 at 10:07 am

    […] of Darling Harbour, andSydney’s pair of iconic architectural wonders known worldwide: the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera […]

    Reply
  4. Jill @ Mad About Macarons says:
    April 27, 2018 at 8:56 am

    Absolutely love that photo of you and Bob together. And good for you to go up there. Sounds an incredible experience but I’m glad just to enjoy your read on it, Christina. My cousin was proposed to up there!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      January 14, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      Good thing they have the special cords to attach the rings or you could imagine how many rings would be in the bay! :)

      Reply
  5. Frank says:
    April 23, 2018 at 4:32 am

    Sydney is one of those places that’s been on my “bucket list” for quite some time. Although with my acrophobia, I’m not sure I’d be up for a climb up the Sydney bridge… But I must say, the views do look spectacular!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      January 14, 2019 at 12:01 pm

      Thanks, Suzanne!

      Reply
  6. Suzanne - The Travelbunny says:
    April 23, 2018 at 2:24 am

    That sounds like such a buzz Christina. You’ve got some lovely photos of your bridge climb and what a way to remember your visit to Sydney!

    Reply
  7. Cathy A says:
    April 17, 2018 at 8:07 am

    I am so glad you did it. What a bummer the weather didn’t cooperate, but it is such a fabulous place that even the weather couldn’t spoil the trip. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and it brought back wonderful memories of mine.

    And if my 78-year-old mother in law could do the bridge walk, I am sure most people could.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      April 17, 2018 at 8:19 am

      It was still fabulous, Cathy! Yes, that’s about the same age as my uncle in the photo; I think it’s brilliant that they’ve done it!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Australian Crunch Bars (with a Gluten Free Version) from the Bee's Knees British Imports - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 15, 2020 at 8:00 am

    […] came to visit me when they were in LA! It seems that no one knows why this recipe is named after Australia, but it doesn’t really matter. They are fantastic, so who cares what they’re called. […]

    Reply
  2. Christina's Breaded Pork Chops (Schnitzel) - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 13, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    […] also gone to the Caribbean, and Australia twice. This only confirms how much I adore discovering new dishes and flavors across the […]

    Reply
  3. Hotel Review: the Horizon Club and Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney - Christina's Cucina says:
    April 28, 2018 at 10:07 am

    […] of Darling Harbour, andSydney’s pair of iconic architectural wonders known worldwide: the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera […]

    Reply

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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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