📍Why The Pylon Lookout Is Better Than Sydney BridgeClimb. (2024.)

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LOOKING FOR A PYLON LOOKOUT VS BRIDGE CLIMB COMPARISON?

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a spectacular iconic landmark that sits above the world’s largest natural harbour, Port Jackson and overlooks the equally iconic Sydney Opera House. It’s a gorgeous scene, and there’s no better way to see the world-renowned city of Sydney than from atop the coat hangers’ unmistakable arches. Or is there?

Although climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a bucket-list item for many of those who venture to Sydney, you might recoil in horror when you learn of the price tag, especially if you’re on a budget or have a family in tow. (It’s over AUD 250 per person). Luckily, there’s the little-known Pylon Lookout that is an equally as good alternative.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge as seen from the Pylon Lookout.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the world’s most iconic structures.

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Pylon Lookout Vs BridgeClimb.

The Pylon Tower that provides support for the bridge is just sitting there twiddling its thumbs going dum de dum dum dum getting none of the prestige. It’s not well advertised because tourism always wants you to spend the big bucks, but it’s the viewpoint is not something to disregard.

Here are five reasons why the Pylon Lookout is way better than climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

You can see similar incredible views from the South East Pylon Tower (left) if climbing the bridge is too expensive.

1. Similar Breathtaking Views.

First up, the views. In no way is the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb not magnificent. It provides epic, 360-degree views from both sides of the bridge, allowing you to see the expanse of the world’s most famous harbour to the east and the west. It’s glorious, but so are the views from the Pylon Lookout.

While there might not be 360-degree uninterrupted views, it is pretty close! There are spectacular sweeping panoramic visuals of the east side of Port Jackson, the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and close-up views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge itself and the highway that crosses it, offering some of the most outstanding views in the city for a fraction of the price.

Perfect views of the Sydney Opera House from the Pylon Lookout
See uninterrupted views of the Opera House, Sydney’s other world-famous structure.
Looking towards Bradfield Highway and Rocks from the Sydney Harbour Bridge's Pylon Lookout.
Get views like this.
The rocks and circular Quay from the Pylon Lookout
And the historic buildings at The Rocks and the ferry port of Circular Quay.
Looking towards Bradfield Highway and Dawes Point from the Sydney Harbour Bridge's Pylon Lookout.
And this as well.

2. Acrophobia? Climacophobia?

In some shape or form, you’re going to want to experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge while you’re in Sydney. If you were considering the climb, but the idea of scaling to those heights with a harness and a safety rope gets you quivering, the Pylon Lookout is for you!

Instead of ascending the bridge with a few bars around you that you won’t fall through, but fear you will, the Pylon Lookout takes you up through the supporting tower and feels a lot safer for those who are acrophobic. Just feels like walking up to a balcony.

There are also significantly fewer stairs going up the inside of the pylon than on the outside climb up the bridge. Let’s face it, no one but fitness junkies like stairs, especially when they seem like they go on for an eternity.

The Pylon Lookout’s 200 steps may seem like a lot, but when compared to the Bridge Climb’s 1000+, yeah, it’s a considerable difference. But while the Pylon has regular stairs, the ones to the summit are gentle and weren’t nearly as challenging as I was worried they would be.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Many people are scared of doing Bridge Climb because of the height.
The Pylon.
So the Pylon Lookout is an exceptional alternative. (This is the pylon on the other side.)
Watching the BridgeClimbers scale Sydney Harbour Bridge whilst the cars fly past.
Watch BrideClimbers as they scale the bridge.

3. Photograph Every Square Inch Of The City.

When hitting up the heights of anything that doesn’t have four walls and requires a harness, cameras are usually a big no-no. Companies don’t want to risk you potentially dropping your gear and giving someone an unexpected knock on the noggin’. 

Sure they’ll take a few shots of you and your party from the glorious summit and some of the stunning landscape surrounding you which are great keepsakes, but for the photography enthusiast, what about all the little things your eyes see that you want to capture forever?

Things like the way the road creates leading lines to the skyscrapers or close-ups of the Opera House, or the beams that make up the Harbour Bridge might be things you want to capture. The Pylon Lookout allows you to capture anything and everything to your heart’s content.

Looking southwest along the Bradfield Highway.
BridgeClimb doesn’t allow people to take photos. The Pylon Lookout does.
Looking toward Kirribilli.
Capture some gorgeous photos you wouldn’t be able to on the top of the bridge.

Maybe you want to be a bit sillier (but not more dangerous) with your selfies and make humourous faces or have a mix of serious and funny photos. You can be more relaxed with your pictures and not hold up the tour guide who may be thinking, “Yo, I ain’t got time for this!”. 

Not only are they more fun to back at, but they are also free. Cha-ching. You’re still able to grab some souvenirs from the Pylon Tower, but without the option of experience-provided photos, you’re not tempted to pay more for pictures to commemorate your Sydney Harbour Bridge adventure.

4. Stay As Long As You Wish.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb allows you to select from four different times of day to climb the famous arches, whereas the Pylon Lookout is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

While some of the most magnificent times of day to view the landscape are at sunrise and sunset, and cities are always spectacular at night, (which is why I highly recommend doing the Twilight tour where you get the best of both worlds) you’re spending much of your tour slowly ascending the bridge. While the pace is gentle and there’s plenty of rest allowing you time to absorb the breathtaking scenery before you have to descend, sometimes you don’t want to have to adhere to a schedule.

The Pylon Lookout, on the other hand, has no time limits. You can stay there until your heart’s content, admiring the view and drinking in all the scenery till closing time should you wish. There’s certainly no rush, and with a city as chaotic and on the go as Sydney is, it’s also nice to slow down and enjoy the city for everything is it rather than watching it go by in a few minutes. However, because it has those opening and closing times, there are no options to enjoy the sunrise, and only in winter can you enjoy the soft light of the setting sun.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge as seen from the Pylon Lookout.
Unlike BridgeClimb which is a guided tour, you can stay at the Pylon Lookout for as long as you please until closing time.

5. Less Damage To Your Wallet.

The most notable difference between viewing the landscape from Pylon Lookout and taking a tour to scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge is also the one to consider the most: the price tag

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb will put a big dent in your wallet at over AUD 250p/p on then some, depending on the tour you get. That’s great if you’re packing or it’s for a special occasion as it’s a magnificent way to experience this stunning harbour city.

But if you’re on a budget, or travelling with a crew and want your money to go further, the Pylon Lookout is a fantastic alternative that will cost you two blue bills per person. Ca-ching!

Pylon Tower Vs Bridge Climb: Comparision Table.

Pylon Lookout.Up to 3.5 hours.
1-hour preparation.
Cost Per Person.Under $20.Over $200.
Views.Similar views but obstructed by bridge to the north & west.Uninterrupted 360-degree views.
Walk.200 stairs inside the southeast Pylon Tower.
1000+ steps on the beams.
Harnessed walk.
Duration.As long as you wish until closing time.Up to 3.5 hours.
includes 1 hour of preparation.
Cameras/Photos.Take your own and photograph the heck out of the landscape.Can buy some souvenir photos at the end.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Sydney CBD.

Conclusion: Why The Pylon Lookout Is Better Than Sydney BridgeClimb.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an incredible way to see the stunning world-class city of Sydney, but for those on a budget, or who are with family or shouting friends, it ends up putting a big dent in the credit card.

Meanwhile, the little advertised, low-cost supporting tower challenges the iconic coat hanger with views similarily as epic, sweeping and spectacular, making the Pylon Lookout a way better and more affordable adventure than climbing the expensive Sydney Harbour Bridge.