Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE
Whether they're driving over it, climbing up it, jogging across it, shooting fireworks off it or sailing under it,
Sydneysiders adore their bridge and swarm around it like ants on ice cream. Dubbed the 'coathanger', it's a
spookily big object - moving around town you'll catch sight of it out of the corner of your eye, sometimes in the
most surprising of places. Perhaps Sydney poet Kenneth Slessor said it best: 'Day and night, the bridge trembles
and echoes like a living thing.'
The Structure
At 134m high, 502m long, 49m wide and 53,000 tonnes, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the
largest and heaviest (but not the longest) steel arch in the world. It links the city centre with
North Sydney, crossing the harbour at one of its narrowest points.
The two halves of chief engineer JJC Bradfield's mighty arch were built outwards from
each shore. In 1932, after nine years of merciless toil by 1400 workers, the two arches were
only centimetres apart when 100km/h winds set them swaying. The coathanger hung tough
and the arch was finally bolted together. It cost $20 million to build and took until 1988 to
pay off. Giving it a new coat of paint takes four years and 80,000 litres.
The bridge is the centrepiece of Sydney's major celebrations, particularly the New
Year's Eve fireworks. In 2007, when it reached its 75th birthday, 250,000 people celebrated
by walking across the great span.
Get Over It
The best way to experience the bridge is on foot - don't expect much of a view crossing by
train or car (driving south there's a toll). Staircases access the bridge from both shores; a
footpath runs along its eastern side.
BridgeClimb
Once only painters and daredevils scaled the Harbour Bridge - now anyone can do it
(Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Will Smith…). Make your way through the
$188-298, child $128-198)
departure lounge and the extensive training session, don your headset,
an umbilical safety cord and a dandy grey jumpsuit (Elvis would be so proud) and up you
