Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore.

The dramatic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is locally nicknamed The Coathanger because of its arch-based design, although this usage is less prevalent than it once was.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was the city's tallest structure until 1967. According to Guinness World Records, it is the world's widest long-span bridge and its tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (429.6 ft) from top to water level.It is also the fourth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world.

The South-east pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for many years operated as lookout and tourist attraction for Sydney, containing a number of telescopes and antiquated arcade games which operated on pennies, long after that currency had gone out of operation. The couple that ran this tourist venue also kept a number of white cats which gave the interior of the pylon a memorable odour. The pylon has recently been renovated and returned to its tourist function.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

 Since 1998, BridgeClimb has made it possible for tourists to climb the southern half of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Tours run throughout the day, from dawn to dusk and are only cancelled for electrical storms or high wind. Night climbs are also available. Groups of climbers are provided with protective clothing appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions and are given an orientation before climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

During the climb, attendees are secured to the Sydney Harbour Bridge by a wire lifeline. Each climb begins on the eastern side of the bridge and ascends to the top. At the summit, the group crosses to the western side of the arch for the descent. Each climb is a three-and-a-half-hour experience.

In December 2006,  BridgeClimb launched an alternative to climbing the upper arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Discovery Climb allows climbers to ascend the lower chord of the bridge and view its internal structure. From the apex of the lower chord, climbers ascend a massive staircase to a platform at the summit.

 Visitors are not allowed to bring their own cameras or any other personal gear with each person even being required to go through a metal detector and take an alcohol-breath test, however the authority in charge takes photos which are available to those who climb it.