📍Honest BridgeClimb Sydney Review: What It’s Like Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
LOOKING FOR AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF WHAT IT’S LIKE
CLIMBING THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE?
Sydney is home to some of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the world, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This notable structure doesn’t just cross one of Earth’s most spectacular natural harbours, but, at 1.149km, it also holds the record as the longest steel arch bridge on the planet. It’s a breathtaking sight, but for many people, it isn’t enough to look just at the beautiful structure, which is why climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become such an iconic experience, a right of passage and a bucket list item for many visitors to the breathtaking city.
But what is it like, and what makes summiting it makes it so revered? My boyfriend and I embarked on the Twilight Climb at the end of February and this is our honest thoughts about why we loved the flagship tour.
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BridgeClimb Sydney Reviews.
Twilight Summit Package.
BridgeClimb offers four different ways to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which starts at various times throughout the day. People can choose between the Summit, Summit Insider, Ultimate & Burrawa Climbs and ascend at Dawn, Day, Twilight or Night, depending on which they select.
Scaling the iconic bridge at sunset when the day transitioned into the night was the one that appealed to my boyfriend and me, so we picked the Summit Climb at Twilight.
Preparation For The Bridge Climb.
Arriving at our allotted time at the BridgeClimb office under the Bradfield Highway at The Rocks, all that required completing was a waiver form and dropping off our bags.
Nothing is allowed to come with you on the climb, sans a couple of exceptions, like glasses and asthma inhalers. A few minutes of wait time later, we were ushered into the climbers-only area of the facility.
Suiting Up.
After a brief breathalyzer ensuring no one wasn’t inebriated, we had to look the part. We had a rundown of what we needed to wear for the ascent. Or no longer need to wear. As it turns out, this is a clothes-optional activity. There’s something you probably didn’t expect.
Jokes aside, the tour operators understand that it gets hot climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so they allow you to take off some clothes before putting the climbing suit on. (Except for underwear for obvious reasons. No going commando.) Rainpants were also given to us as precipitation was forecast.
There were plenty of changing rooms and even toilets, so if you needed to go before you got into gear, you could. Water bubblers, lockers and bins were also available if you were thirsty or still had stuff you needed to stash or throw out.
Security Scan.
Once clothed, all climbers went through a brief 2-stage metal detector security screen to ensure we weren’t hiding or carrying anything we weren’t supposed to be.
Gearing Up.
Moving into the next room, this is where it was getting real. The sizeable space had a prolific amount of gear neatly laid out in sections. Standing behind the harness, our guide, who would take us up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back down again, introduced himself as Cooper. Immediately, you could tell he was a fun, friendly and approachable guy who loved his job. His style was laid-back, light-hearted and enthusiastic.
After familiarising ourselves with the harness and getting strapped up, a few BridgeClimb staff members checked us over to ensure we were golden. Lastly, we got a torch, a pack-away rainjacket in case it started raining, headphones for commentary and did an audio check.
Practice Climb.
When everything was a-okay, and we all looked legit, Cooper took us to a mock climbing frame similar to what we would encounter during the experience. He demonstrated how to navigate the course safely and taught us how to deal with any issues we may come across. Then it was over to us to do a practice run.
It was an easy four-point climb up two sets of ladders, moving across the top of the structure, then back down two more sets of ladders. Nothing too intimidating. Once completed and we were deemed fit enough to summit, it was time to climb the actual Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Exploring The Bridge’s Underside.
For a structure as majestic as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, no one would suspect that an experience to climb the iconic landmark would start in a hand-carved tunnel dripping water with artifacts embedded in it. Nevertheless, it did, and while it was an odd way to start the tour, it was humbling.
Making it out of the short tunnel landed us on the underside of the magnificent bridge. Until we reached the southeast Pylon, it was an easy walk along the eastern side’s lowest beams while Cooper gave commentary about the bridge’s history.
The views along the way we lovely. While looking at the ant-sized humans in the park below was enjoyable, the uninterrupted views of the Opera House on our right as we passed the buildings at The Rocks looked magnificent as various boats propelled past Sydney’s other world-famous landmark.
Navigating The Pylon.
At the other end of the long walk across the underside, we reached the Pylon. It was here that navigating got a little more complicated and a lot more fun. Entailing a few tight squeezes, ducking, and ladder climbing, this was the most intricate part of the climb and the most physical, but again, nothing overwhelming.
We intimately got to see the ins and outs of the bridge’s structure and how complex it is. Some maintenance work was also happening, which made getting an up-close look at it even more intriguing. It is a constant work in progress.
And because it was a more difficult place to navigate, BridgeClimb crew members were there to help assist and ensure everything ran smoothly. They were friendly, and we chit-chatted with them while waiting for those ahead to get through the more time-consuming sections.
At the end of this area is where it went from the underside to the top side. Coming up on one set of ladders got us to road level, and it was excellent seeing all the cars zooming past. It was like we’d snapped back into reality.
It didn’t stay that way long. Saying bye to all the road vehicles, we headed up more ladders, and before long, we were on top of the iconic bridge and on the final stretch to the bridge’s summit.
Summiting The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The moment we stepped onto the top beam of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it was nothing but spectacular uninterrupted views in every direction. It was an absolute visual dream, and ascending to the summit was easy.
This was the part of the walk I was the most intimidated by as I am not the most physically fit, but I had nothing to worry about as while there are many stairs, they are wide, well-spaced and gentle. There were also many pauses along the way that allowed us sufficient time to appreciate the magnificent scenery whilst also giving our legs a rest.
Weatherwise, it didn’t seem like it would be the best day. It was pouring with rain the day before, and it seemed today’s climb would also encounter such conditions. Only it didn’t. Not yet, anyway.
The sunset light behind why the Twilight Climb was chosen permeated through the clouds and cast the softest light across the Sydney Opera House, briefly illuminating it from the rest of the stunning landscape.
The weather continued to hold off while we had our first set of professional experience photographs taken with the Opera House in the background near the top of the bridge, which was perfect.
But shortly after that, it started raining and then it poured. Cooper instructed us to whip out our rain jackets, and we summited one of the most famous buildings in the world soaking wet.
Crossing The Arches Of The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
With the rain now sweeping through, it only elevated the experience. Crossing the beam between the two arches and looking at the traffic below while raindrops fell toward them was atmospheric like something out of a movie. It was simultaneously badass and romantic to be there in such weather conditions.
The second set of photographs occurred along this stretch and needless to say, it was a soggy-looking shot.
Descending The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
With the climb to the summit now complete, it was time to head back down the other side of the coathanger.
With night well underway, all the lights had come on and illuminated the city in a mesmerising scene. And just like the first half, every direction was a visual feast, and there were plenty of stops along the way that allowed us lots of time to appreciate the stunning scenery.
South looked the most spectacular with the lights on as the Bradfield Highway sliced through Sydney’s famous skyline between Circular Quay and The Rocks. On the north side, Luna’s Park’s iconic clown face stood out from the darkness as another famous landmark easily seen from the bridge. At the end, near the southwest Pylon, they took one more professional photo of us with the city at night in the background.
Then it was down more ladders, past the highway and back under the bridge, more navigating tight areas before finishing up with the long, straight walk back to the BridgeClimb office. And that was it, our climb up the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge was over, and it was nothing short of phenomenal.
Finishing Up.
Back at BridgeClimb headquarters, we got a free souvenir hat to commemorate our climb, and then we undressed out of our climbing suits and changed back into our regular clothes.
They gave everyone a completion certificate and a complimentary photo, but we also purchased a BridgeClimb photo package. There were two to choose from: a physical set of printed photos or a digital and physical set. I selected the latter.
We also received a drink voucher to try some Hendrick’s Gin at BridgeClimb’s in-house bar at the end of our tour. Although I’m not a big drinker, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a great way to cap off an unforgettable experience.
BridgeClimb Sydney Review: Is Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge Worth It?
Overall BridgeClimb Experience.
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney was phenomenal. The views were magnificent, and it was stunning to see the landscape lit up with the soft, golden light of the setting sun before summiting the famous landmark in the pouring rain just as dusk settled into night. To be fortunate enough to experience it in a multitude of ways as we did only made the experience more memorable as it was moody, romantic and cinematic all at the same time.
The entire experience runs like a well-oiled machine. Everything was taken into account, and there was only one hiccup: My boyfriend’s headphones kept cutting out and he wasn’t able to hear our leader. Aside from that, we had an entertaining and present tour guide, interesting historical commentary, a torch for when it got dark, a rag for cleaning our glasses, and rain gear for bad weather. They even had drinking fountains along the way in case anyone got thirsty.
Timewise, it was superbly paced and never felt rushed. That’s saying something coming from me as I love drinking in the view and often feel I don’t get enough time with similar tours. But it never felt like it was dragging on, either. It was perfect. The whole experience was.
Views From The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge are unparalleled and unforgettable. There is no better way to see Sydney’s most famous landscape than from the bridge. It rewards you with stunning, uninterrupted views of the glistening harbour city from both sides of the arches as well as incredible views of the bridge itself.
The visual of the iconic Sydney Opera House with the soft sunlight hitting it was particularly memorable as was the skyline to the south, both at sunset and at night when the lights came on. Simply breathtaking.
Difficulty Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Another thing that made climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge an excellent experience was that the level of skill required to reach the summit wasn’t as physically demanding as expected.
Admittedly, I’m not the fittest person, and something that concerned me was that I might struggle and hold the group back because there were so many stairs, and it went for so long. But it didn’t require as much exertion as I thought it might.
There was never a point where I was aching from too many steps or standing too long. Part of that could be excitement and adrenaline, but most of it is because the steps are gentle, wide and well-spaced.
The Weather.
We encountered pouring rain during our climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge but it wasn’t a bad thing. Actually, it was quite the opposite. It was amazing to be able to experience the bridge this way and it elevated the experience tenfold and made it so much more memorable.
BridgeClimb Sydney Photo Package Souvenir.
The professional souvenir photos were fantastic. Even though we got a free complimentary photo, we also decided to purchase the rest as they looked so beautiful. Even the ones that were snapped when it was raining came out much better than expected.
We received all the 10 images taken of us as physical and digital copies with the package we selected, and I felt it was priced well for what it included.
BridgeClimb Staff.
All BridgeClimb staff members we encountered were friendly and helpful, but a special shout-out goes to our summit tour guide. Cooper was excellent. There’s a very authentic Australianess about him, which is perfect for a tour guide doing the country’s most quintessential experience, but that’s not the only reason he was outstanding.
What made him such a good tour guide is his personality. He is loads of fun, good-natured, and very approachable. He made us feel at ease from the get-go and because he noticeably loves his job, that just elevated the whole experience for us too and made everything more memorable. Seriously, people with personas like he has are just a joy to be around and make it so much better.
Is Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge Worth It?
Is It Good Value For Money?
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is expensive. No arguing that. But it also entails a lot. The average guided tour from start to finish lasts about three hours which is a solid amount of time for the money.
During that time, you will experience one of the most iconic structures in the world unforgettably unique way and get unparalleled views of one of the planet’s most famous cities that sits on the banks of one of the most beautiful natural harbours on Earth.
And they also provide you with a climbing suit, harness, cables, a headlight, rain gear and headphones for the ascent. And a certificate, a complimentary photo, and a souvenir cap once the tour is over.
So, yes, it is an expensive experience, but there’s a reason it’s on so many people’s bucket lists including many celebrities. It’s the ultimate way to see Sydney. Not only that, climbing it is essentially a right of passage to all those who visit the vibrant world-class city and it’s worth every cent. However, if it’s still out of your budget to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, an excellent, but much cheaper alternative is the Pylon Lookout, where you can enjoy similar magnificent views.
Would We Climb The Sydney Harbour Bridge Again?
My boyfriend and I would climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge again. Yes, absolutely. Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge was one of the most breathtaking experiences we’ve ever had. As I said before, it is on many people’s bucket lists, and we had it on ours too. It exceeded our expectations in every way. Our tour guide and the weather made our experience exceptional. We would love to go back and try the other climbs and see what they are like as well.
This isn’t even the first time my boyfriend has climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s the second. He previously did a day climb and enjoyed it so much that he wanted to experience it at night too.
Who Would Enjoy Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge?
Everyone would enjoy summiting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Truly. Who doesn’t love exceptional views? And in beautiful Sydney, it doesn’t get better than from the top of this iconic landmark. It is such an incredible experience, it’s not any wonder why it is so highly rated and considered a right of passage for anyone visiting Sydney.
The only people who may not want to climb the bridge are those who are acrophobic and scared of heights. But I think those who overcame their fears and did it anyway would agree that it’s a fantastic experience and were glad they did.
What Is Special About The Sydney Harbour Bridge?
What makes Sydney Harbour Bridge such a notable structure is that not only does it cross one of the world’s most spectacular natural harbours, but, at 1.149km, it also holds the record as the longest steel arch bridge on the planet.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Sydney CBD.
- Best Solo (Under AUD $100): The Pod Sydney.
- Best Budget: (Under AUD $200) Ibis Styles Sydney Central.
- Best Mid Range (Under AUD $300): Meriton Suites Cambell Street.
- Best Luxury (Under AUD$ 500): Little National Hotel Sydney.
- Best Exorbitant: The Langham Sydney.
Conclusion: BridgeClimb Review: What It’s Like Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
There’s a reason climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is on so many people’s bucket lists. It’s a phenomenal experience through and through and one that’ll stay with you forever. It’s not any wonder it’s become such an iconically Australian thing to do.
Disclosure: This review is a non-sponsored post based on my BridgeClimb Experience in 2022. All opinions expressed here are my own. Additionally, all photographs with the Journey.Discover. logo we not taken during the climb as no cameras are allowed. The ones that look like they were shot from the bridge were taken from the Pylon Lookout, but are included as they are similar to what was seen in the experience. The rest were taken elsewhere around Sydney.
If you plan to visit Sydney, consider looking at these other posts.
