The Iconic Arch Bridge Of Sydney – Sydney Harbour Bridge

I’m sure all of us have heard of this very famous city. The capital of New South Wales, Sydney, is also the largest city in Australia. Sydney is one of the most popular destinations that welcomes millions of tourists each year. The city is always bustling with activities and exhilarating attractions for everyone. From top-notch gourmet food, hotels, beaches, shopping, wine tasting, and entertainment, you can make the best of your time in Sydney.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sydney? It’s either the Opera House or its nearby architectural marvel – Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of Sydney and has been a popular tourist attraction over the years. Opened in 1932, the bridge was known as the “Coat Hanger” by the Sydneysiders.

It has been a popular photo stop for most of the tourists over the years. Who wouldn’t want to take a picture in front of this magnificent architectural wonder, right? When you’re in Sydney, everywhere you turn, you will definitely catch a glimpse of this architectural marvel. This 500 meters bridge makes it the largest and one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. Its 134 meters height from the surface makes it one of the tallest bridges in the world. 

The History Behind The Bridge

In 1815, an idea was proposed to build a bridge from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour. Many suggestions were made, however, nothing was put into execution. Later in 1900, a worldwide competition was organized to design and construct a harbour bridge. Unfortunately, all the submissions were rejected and the construction never began until 1922 when an English Engineer, proposed a three-span bridge that connects Balls Head, Millers Point, and Balmain.

The construction began in 1924 and it took almost eight years and 1400 men to complete the bridge at a cost of 4.25 million AUD. The bridge was later opened in the year 1932. 

This iconic bridge has been a tourist attraction, a living landmark and an essential transportation line for the locals as well as tourists. If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, be sure to visit the Harbour Bridge. Here are some tips on the different ways to experience it: 

By Walk:

The best way to view the bridge is by taking a walk across the bridge. Start your journey from Circular Quay and walk towards Wharf 2 to see a glass elevator. If you want a picture for the gram, then the perfect place would be the Cahill Walk. Get down the elevator at Cahill Walk and immerse yourself in the beauty of the bridge. Continue to walk until the Sydney Opera House comes into view. If you’re curious to know about the history behind the bridge, head up to the Pylon Lookout. Continue your walk to the end of the bridge and down the stairs to reach Kirribilli. 

Bridge Climb:

This is probably the most fun way to experience the bridge. The world-famous bridge climb lets you climb the top of the bridge. The bridge climb is an iconic experience in Sydney. You will be taking a small guided tour, where you will have a trainer who will guide you all the way up to the bridge and also give you information about the history of the bridge. There plenty of Bridgeclimb options to choose from and you can opt to do it during sunrise, sunset and at night. The best part about this experience is the exhilarating feeling you get once you reach the top and see the stunning city beneath you. 

Ferry/Cruise:

Now that you’ve seen the harbour bridge from the top, it’s time for you to sail under the bridge. This experience lets you admire the magnificent harbour bridge from the water. Choose from the many cruise or ferry options available and glide past the harbour bridge. Most of the cruises sail under the bridge between circular Quay and Darling Harbour while the ferries sail to the North shore.

Drive:

If you’re someone who loves to drive, then this would be a perfect way to visit the bridge. You can drive the laneways on the bridge and experience it just like the locals. However, you might find traffic during peak hours. If you’re not too comfortable driving, you can always take a cab/taxi to go to the other end.

Cycle Away:

You can also opt to cycle across the bridge. The cycleway is located on the western bridge and one can access it from the Sydney Observatory. You can hire cycles from the city or join the many guided bike tours that are available.

Getting There: 

• You can take the bus line: 227, 269, 311, 392, 653, X92 that stop near Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Take the T1 train line that stops closer to the bridge. 
• Take a cab/taxi if you’re staying in the city centre. 
• Walk and go to the harbour bridge if you’re centrally located.

Visitor Information: 

Entrance Ticket:

There’s no entrance fee as such to visit the Harbour Bridge. However, if you’re opting to drive then you will have to pay the toll charges or if you’re opting for the bridge climb then you will have to pay for the experience. 

Timing:

It is open every day of the week from 6:00 A.M till 10:00 P.M

The magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge is just one of the iconic landmarks in Sydney. Just like the Harbour Bridge, there are several other landmarks and attractions that you can visit in Sydney. Discover Sydney’s stunning beaches, iconic landmarks, buzzing streets, and its vibrant nightlife. Include this perfect holiday spot in your itinerary and see what it has to offer!  Planning a vacation to Australia? Visit Pickyourtrail to create your own tour plan from the set of Australia Tour Packages.