Sydney and the BridgeClimb

Although I have since been back numerous times, my first introduction to Sydney was a lightning-fast visit and a memorable experience of Australia’s largest, oldest, and brashest city. I didn’t have enough time to see much more than the Harbour area, beginning with an obligatory visit to its Opera House: Initially lambasted for its startlingly modern, sail-like shape, it has come to be as emblematic of the city as the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. It is Sydney’s cultural heartbeat, and if you haven’t scored tickets or don’t have enough time to see any of the world-class performances year-round, consider taking one of the guided tours on offer, including the fascinating backstage tour.

Chosen from over 200 submissions from world-famous architects, construction began in 1959 and took 14 controversial years to complete (coming in enormously over budget). Today the Opera House proudly commands a prime spot on Sydney’s busy harbor. From here, you can join locals and visitors for a stroll through the 74-acre waterfront Royal Botanic Gardens, or head to Circular Quay, the launching point for hundreds of boats and ferries that zigzag across Sydney Harbour. Or continue your stroll to The Rocks, the 19th-century haunt of brawling soldiers and ex-convicts, now home to restaurants, souvenir shops, galleries, exhibition spaces, fashion boutiques, and sprawling weekend markets.

All of this can be found nestled beneath Sydney’s early-20th-century bridge, affectionately nicknamed the “Coathanger,” and the tallest (though not longest) and widest steel arch bridge ever built. Like the Opera House across the harbor, it shares center stage geographically as well as in the hearts of all Sydneysiders. Look up at almost any time of the day and you’ll see what looks like a trail of ants moving slowly up and over its exposed steel spine: These are local and visiting adventurers who have signed on for the bridge climb, arguably Australia’s most exhilarating and fun pastime.

Not half as scary or strenuous as you might think, the bridge climb is over before you know it, even though your watch tells you it has been three and a half hours (the longest of three climb options).

Social media has helped spread the word about bridge climb’s popularity, thanks to international celebrities such as Oprah, Prince Harry, Katy Perry, and Pippa Middleton. I joined close to 4 million adventurers since BridgeClimb was launched in 1998, who have reached the summit 440 feet above Sydney Harbour to propose, get married, celebrate a birthday or other milestone, overcome a fear of heights, qualify for bragging rights, or quite simply—like me and most others—to drink in those spectacular 360-degree pinch-me views of one of the world’s most photogenic harbors.

Climbers as young as 8 accompanied by an adult are welcome, and there is no age cut-off as long as you are fit and willing. BridgeClimb’s website proudly posts their most frequent ascender: an 89-year-old Australian enthusiast who has racked up 126 climbs so far.

Happy to hear that an octogenarian could easily handle the ladders, catwalks, platforms, and 1,332 stairs, I signed on for what many promised would be the ultimate Sydney experience during one of my more recent return trips. I joined a small group of 14 people (the maximum number)—a mix of Aussies and other nationalities—got breath-tested for the first time in my life, was fitted for a jumpsuit and gear, and walked through an explanation that readied us for the once-in-a-lifetime experience that awaited.

A lightweight industrial-strength safety cable tethers each climber to the bridge’s structure throughout, eliminating any unlikely risk of falling. Loose objects like jewelry, hair clips, and cameras must be left behind in a secured locker, while glasses, sunglasses, gloves, and baseball caps are allowed if secured or attached to the jumpsuit provided. Our amiable climb leader also acted as safety monitor, bridge historian, stand-up comic, and photographer and videographer. Each climber is given a climber certificate, a free video of the climb, and a group photo from the summit, with a host of individual still-life photos available for purchase upon your descent.

Headphones come in handy when the winds pick up, although our mild, early-winter afternoon in June offered just a light breeze. We stopped various times along the way to take in the sweeping vistas, catch our breath, and enjoy our climb leader’s commentary and anecdotes. He explained how the bridge—held together by almost 6 million hand-driven rivets—once missed out on being the world’s longest steel arch bridge by just 70 cms (27.5 inches). Construction on the bridge began in 1923 and took 1,400 men over eight years to build before opening in 1932. At various points during our climb, we looked down between our feet on the eight busy lanes of traffic and two rail lines the bridge carries.

I had driven over the bridge, walked across it, sailed under it, and glimpsed it from my airplane window during previous visits but this was my first climb—a 360-degree experience worth every effort and jitter. I am already plotting a return to Sydney for a twilight climb to watch the “Harbour City” as it comes alive at night during the spectacular Vivid Sydney, an annual light and music festival when the city is illuminated in color and light. How cool would that be!

But take note: unable to renew their 20-year-contract, BridgeClimb hands over the keys to Scenic World on October 1, who will continue to offer Sydney’s most stunning attraction!

 

And don’t forget to check out the book!

About the Book:

The world’s bestselling travel book is back in a more informative, more experiential, more budget-friendly full-color edition. A #1 New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places reinvented the idea of travel book as both wish list and practical guide. As Newsweek wrote, it “tells you what’s beautiful, what’s fun, and what’s just unforgettable—everywhere on earth.” And now the best is better. There are 600 full-color photographs. Over 200 entirely new entries, including visits to 28 countries like Lebanon, Croatia, Estonia, and Nicaragua, that were not in the original edition. There is an emphasis on experiences: an entry covers not just Positano or Ravello, but the full 30-mile stretch along the Amalfi Coast.

Every entry from the original edition has been readdressed, rewritten, and made fuller, with more suggestions for places to stay, restaurants to visit, and festivals to check out. And throughout, the book is more budget-conscious, with starred restaurants and historic hotels such as the Ritz, but also moderately priced gems that don’t compromise on atmosphere or charm.

The world is calling. Time to answer.

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