Review: Sydney Harbour Bridge

Tell me: What’s this place all about?
Dubbed "The Coathanger," Sydney Harbour Bridge is an incredible feat of design. The world’s largest steel through arch bridge, opened in 1932 after years of planning, it’s a vital artery, linking Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District) beside Circular Quay with the North Shore. It’s free to walk or cycle across it—with separate paths on the east and west sides, respectively—affording bird’s-eye views of the Opera House, Luna Park fair, and the harbor below.

What’s it like being there?
You don’t need to be an engineering geek to go gaga for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is an awe-inspiring thing of beauty. Drink in vistas from the alfresco Opera Bar opposite below the Sydney Opera House or from the rooftop café atop the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Australia). You’ll also get great views from the foreshore in The Rocks, from lofty Barangaroo Reserve park, and Sydney’s North Shore.

Is there a guide involved?
Those with a head for heights, and a well-stuffed wallet, can get up close and personal climbing the bridge. Based on the south side, operator BridgeClimb Sydney (bridgeclimb.com) offers climbs at dawn, daytime, twilight, and night. The Ultimate BridgeClimb lasts three-and-a-half hours taking you right across the bridge. The Summit Express, at two and a half hours’ long, is the fastest way to the top for super-fit types; Summit, at three hours, flaunts 360-degree views from the upper arch. For an indigenous storytelling experience, pick the three-hour Burrawa climb.

Who comes here?
Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Hugh Jackman has scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but the real celebrity is the seductive structure itself.

Did it meet expectations?
A much-loved symbol of Sydney, the bridge looks a million dollars at sunrise, sunset, and in sunshine, and is the star of the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Affordable option the Pylon Lookout, in the South East Pylon, contains an exhibition about the bridge and viewing station, 200 steps up.

So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?
Anyone with reasonable fitness who is cool with heights will enjoy tackling this architectural wonder. Only children aged eight or over, and at least 1.2 meters tall, can climb, accompanied by an adult. Vertiginous? Then just walk across or soak up free panoramas from the shore or the iconic Manly Ferry.