Sydney Bridge Climb: Is it worth it?

Sydney Bridge Climb: Is it worth it?

The Sydney Bridge Climb is one of the most famous activities in Australia - but is it worth the costs and effort? We defied some overalls to find out

The Sydney Bridge Climb is not least a lesson in pure power. When his Creator, Paul Cave, made suggestions for the climb for the first time, the supervisory authorities answered with a list of over 60 reasons why it was simply not possible.

caves proposed blue suits would distract the drivers, they said. Skilled objects would cause accidents and climbers would overthrow and injure themselves. The list continued.

cave was not one who accepted a defeat and set out to systematically examine and clear up every problem. The blue suits were made gray so as not to distract the drivers; Climbers were inserted into Overalls to prevent objects from falling; And seat belts were added to record climbers.

In the end, the Sydney Bridge Climb took longer than the construction of the bridge itself.

"I had a two-year business plan and it took 10 years," remarked Cave ironically.

alt = "Climbing at the Sydney Bridge Climb are always attached to the bridge"> Atlas & Boots climbers are always attached to the bridge

The Sydney Harbor Bridge itself was built for over nine years, from the ground ground in July 1923 until its opening on March 19, 1932. Today it is 1,149 m long and 134 m high. The steel mill, which is screwed to around six million rivets, weighs 52,800 tons.

Nowadays, the security is of the greatest importance and climbers are always attached to the bridge. All belongings, including phones and cameras, must be stowed in a locker beforehand, with the exception of sunglasses that are attached to the climbing suits. Everything else provides the climb. Hats, gloves, fleece, rainwear and even handkerchiefs are plugged in to prevent objects from falling on the cars below.

We received a special permit for carrying a small camera, which was of course infected by a supervisor after checking and drawing. Again: security is taken very, very seriously.

We broke up from our hotel, Mantra on Kent, and arrived 15 minutes before our planned promotion at the Sydney Bridge Climb office. There we checked in, signed our waiver and attracted our overalls, whereby we left all loose objects in a locker.

The Sydney Bridge Climb is available in different variants: Dawn, Day, Twilight or Night. The most common choice is a day's promotion that has several options.

The classic bridge climb takes 3h 30m and follows a route along the famous bridge arch. This ascent has 1,332 levels and is the better option for nervous climbers because it offers more support from climbing guides.

The BridgeClimb Express takes 2 hours 15 minutes and is intended for "independent thinking people who want to quickly make it up". With 1,002 steps, he does not lead climbers along the bridge arch, but through the intestines to look at one of the largest suspension bridges in the world.

We opted for the Express and made our way with our climbing guide over the "Catwalk". Nervous climbers have to struggle the most here. The traffic noise can be clearly recognized under the metal network, which sometimes overwhelmed nervous souls.

alt = “Most climbers find the Sydney Bridge Climb easier than feared”> Most climbers find the Sydney Bridge Climb easier than feared

Most people have held out and find that the Sydney Bridge Climb is not as strenuous as they feared. There are no ladders or ropes. Instead, the participants go up steps, most of which are flat and interrupted by ramps and horizontal catwalks. There are also many stops where you can stop and listen to your climbing guide who tells stories about the bridge and its many famous visitors.

The Sydney Bridge Climb has attracted a variety of celebrities over the years. We will not call and shake our climbing guide, but we will say that despite visitors like Oprah Winfrey, Robert de Niro, Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue, he was most enthusiastic about leading PC Tony Stamp to the top!

alt = "Views of the Sydney Bridge Climb"> Atlas & Boots The view from the Sydney Bridge Climb

The Sydney Harbor Bridge was also host for over 4,000 applications and a few dozen weddings (yes, you can marry on it!). There were no such gimmicks on our climb. Instead, we followed our way up, past large straps and pylons, endless rows of rivets and dizzying viewpoints over the lavish traffic. There we found one of the best prospects throughout Sydney. The Sydney Opera House and the famous harbor were on the one hand while the city spread on the other.

We took a few usual photos, including awkward poses with the thumb raised and spread arms ("British always have to fight with it," remarked our climbing guide amused). Of course we preferred the most natural variant.

alt = “top on the Sydney Harbor Bridge”> Atlas & Boots top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge

So - has the Sydney Bridge Climb worth it all in all? It cannot be denied that prices are steep ($ 303 AUD / $ 230 per person plus more for photos). Before arriving in the country, we certainly annoyed ourselves about the prices, but we quickly noticed that everything is expensive in Australia. The Sydney Bridge Climb is one of the best -known things you can do in the country, and for this reason alone it is worth it.

adrenaline junkies are not put to the test by the climb, but the sheer uniqueness of the experience, combined with the knowledge of the climbing guides and the resulting view of the harbor, makes the Sydney Bridge Climb worth the costs and effort. In doubt, as I said in the lessons that I learned when traveling around the world. In a year you will probably no longer remember the costs, but you will remember experience. I promise you.

Sydney Bridge Climb: The essentials

was: the Sydney Bridge Climb in Sydney, Australia.

Where: We divide our time in Sydney between Mantra 2 Bond Street and Mantra on Kent, which offer both accommodations in an apartment style in an excellent location.

from Mantra 2 Bond Street in Sydney's CBD (Central Business District) you can easily reach the city's most important sights on foot. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge are 15 minutes' walk away, while Circular Quay and The Rocks can be reached in just 10 minutes. WYNYARD station is two minutes away and is therefore an excellent starting point to explore Sydney's sights.

The apartments themselves are stylish and extremely comfortable. The executive studio apartments extend over 2 levels and are open and have a lowered lounge, a marble bath and a fully equipped kitchen-if you are happy to cook! A roof pool and a spa as well as a lobby café and a bar complete the excellent equipment of the hotel.

mantra on kent is less opulent, but just as comfortable. Our modern apartment with a bedroom offered a wide view over the city and simple access to Darling Harbor, five minutes away and for Chinatown, which is ten minutes away.

The stylish hotel has an in-house restaurant, conference rooms and a 24-hour reception. All apartments offer WLAN as well as kitchen and laundry options. With the Town Hall station 100 meters away and Wilson's parking spaces (for a fee), the Mantra on Kent is a convenient and convenient way to explore Sydney and the surrounding area.

mantra hotels offer accommodations across the country - a safe choice for comfortable accommodations in excellent locations.

• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">

Atlas & Boots

When: The best travel time for Sydney is from September to November and from March to May. This avoids the high season from December to February and offers pleasant temperatures with manageable crowds.

like: Book an ascent via the Sydney Bridge Climbe website. The offices are in a central location in Sydney, just a few minutes' walk from most CBD hotels. Go through the checklist before the ascent and try to arrive 15 minutes before your ascent.

Book domestic or foreign flights to Sydney via Skyscanner at the best prices.

alt = “>

alt = “>

Australia is a huge country. If you prefer to submit the planning, we recommend G Adventures and your small group Australia tours.

Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less busy roads.

main picture: Pisaphotography/Shutterstock

 .