Climbers in “bridge suits” look out over the harbor in Sydney, Australia. A company called BridgeClimb guides small groups to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Dennis Cavagnaro / Special to Stripes)
Climbers in “bridge suits” look out over the harbor in Sydney, Australia. A company called BridgeClimb guides small groups to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Dennis Cavagnaro / Special to Stripes)
It’s a long way down, but BridgeClimb prides itself in having the skills to guide even those who fear heights to the top of the bridge. The company says many people have conquered their fears on the climb. (Dennis Cavagnaro / Special to Stripes)
From the bridge, the view of the famous Sydney Opera House is breathtaking. (Dennis Cavagnaro / Special to Stripes)
The Sydney Harbour Bridge — known to the locals as the “Coat Hanger” — is one of two landmarks that define Sydney, Australia. It towers over the other, the Sydney Opera House.
For me, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge made a statement: Pushing 70, with two total hip replacements, and 50 pounds overweight, this retired Marine could still achieve a lofty physical goal.
Back in 1998, Australia shared its 200th anniversary of European settlement on television with us. Paul Hogan, of “Crocodile Dundee” fame, posed as a statue on top of the bridge. Many years before his film career, he worked as a laborer on the bridge. In one of Australia’s tourist ads, Hogan was again up there promising us “to throw another shrimp on the barbie.”
What a surprise to learn in the last few years that any of us in good health (and sober) can also climb to the top of the bridge. The bridge climbs are extremely popular; look up at the structure either day or night and you can’t miss the “ants” slowly moving up the girders.
Climbers take their first step in a huge room under one of the bridge’s southern highway and rail approaches. The entrance at 5 Cumberland St. is at the top of “The Rocks,” Sydney’s first settlement. It’s an easy walk from the ferry, train and bus transportation hub, Circular Quay.
At check-in everyone is given a breathalyzer test (the limit is .05). Safety is paramount, so we stow in lockers our watches, glasses, cameras and anything else worn externally or carried. The staff briefs us on safety and the amazing ball-shaped mechanical gadget that both locks our tethers to the bridge’s safety cable and allows us to follow the cable up and down and around corners. Then we don the gray, androgynous “bridge suits.” These space-suit-like coveralls make us look alike — and not unlike Dr. No’s worker drones in the first James Bond film.
Our climb leader ushers our group of 12 out onto Cumberland Street. We shuffle down the street a hundred yards, and enter below the bridge on its eastern side. We slowly climb up to the bridge’s catwalk and then out under the traffic above us and below, The Rocks.
At the southeastern pylon, we climb a narrow ladder (not difficult) up through an island between lanes of speeding cars and onto the riveted-steel eastern arch. The slope is surprisingly gentle. I was so caught up in the experience that I was never even reminded of the physical aspect.
As long as those who are afraid of heights don’t look down, the rest is a piece of cake. The view of the Sydney Opera House is breathtaking. Those with the courage to look down see the bridge’s rushing traffic — not only cars, but also rumbling commuter trains (when built, the bridge also accommodated streetcars). Again, the climb is not physically difficult and our guide is patient with our progress — there are other groups 10 minutes ahead of and behind us.
When we reach the summit, 440 feet above the water, the official photographer takes individual and group photos. At the top we enjoy the 360-degree view of the whole of Sydney and its suburbs on both sides of the harbor and imagine that Paul Hogan toiled here. Then we cross over the bridge to the western arch.
Sydney’s western side was once industrial but has been re-developed into museums, an aquarium, a casino and convention center, reaching out to the distant Blue Mountains. Not too far away is the 2000 Olympic Games site.
We ease back down, then climb down through traffic again to the catwalk and retrace our steps to the base. Our guide tells us that we have traversed more than 1,500 meters of steel. The BridgeClimb people hope your climb lived up to their mantra, “For the climb of your life.”
Dennis A. Cavagnaro is a retired Marine who lives in Oakland, Calif.
If you go ...
Climbers must be 12 or older (a 100-year- old woman has done the climb). There must be an adult climber for each two children.
Climbers must complete and sign a liability release form. The bridge climb operates in all weather conditions with the exception of electrical storms.
The time from check-in to finish is about 3½ hours. At night, climbers wear helmets with headlights.
Climb leaders are trained to care for climbers with a fear of heights and will provide reassurance for the skittish all the way to the top. The BridgeClimb organization says many climbers have conquered their fear of heights this way.
At the end, climbers receive personalized certificates attesting to their achievement and a group photo taken at the top of the bridge. Additional individual photographs taken by each group’s climb leader can be purchased after the climb.
Rates (in Australian dollars) are: adults, $160 weekdays, $185 Fri.-Sun., and $225 at twilight any day; children, $100 on weekdays, $125 Fri.-Sun., and $175 at twilight any day. Ticket hotline: (+61) 2 8274; tickets online: www.bridgeclimb.com.
Contact BridgeClimb via e-mail at admin@bridgeclimb.com.
For information on travel to Australia, visit the Australian Tourist Commission.
