On the way to Manchester airport, my taxi driver asked where we were flying to. I told him we were going to Sydney and his first response was to tell me to try the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.
After arriving in Sydney I asked my girlfriend Lucy when we are going to book it. She wasn't keen but I argued with her that it was something we would probably never get to do again. After about 3 days she finally agreed.
We made our way down to The Rocks district of Sydney which is across the harbour from the opera house and where the booking offices for Bridgeclimb are situated. We booked in person, but you can book by phone or online.
We arrived at the offices and everything looked very good. As we climbed the stairs we noticed that there were a lot of photos on the wall, we had a look and they were pictures of many celebrities who had climbed the bridge. These pictures can be seen on the Bridgeclimb website. We got to the desk and a very polite young lady took our booking. There are now 2 climbs you can choose from, the normal bridgeclimb and the discovery climb. The normal climb takes you over the arch of the bridge, across a platform at the top of the bridge and then back down the arch on the other side. The discovery is different because instead of coming back down the second arch you climb down the bridge and come back through the bridge itself.
We opted for the normal climb, although I don't think it matters what climb you choose as I'm sure we were told both climbs cost the same. We booked in for the next day at 11am, you have to allow 3 hours for the climb, so we would finish at 2pm, get something to eat from a nearby restaurant and then have the rest of the day to ourselves.
The Bridgeclimb cost us $179.00 each, which equates to about £80. Well worth the price let me assure you. Certain rules do apply. Anybody less than 10 years of age or under a height of 1.2m in height is not allowed to climb. There is also a breathalyzer test and if you have a blood- alcohol reading of 0.05% or higher, you cannot climb either, so stay off the wine and beer the night before. Obviously the usual rules apply for phobias and any conditions certain people might have.
The next day came and we made our way down to the office again, this time getting a taxi, so we could save our legs. Fortunately we had picked a nice sunny day; Bridgeclimb operates in all weathers except very high winds and electrical storms.
When we got there we were taken through to a waiting room, we weren't there long before we got called through, climbs of groups of 12 start every 10 minutes and before there is a safety induction. You are given a boiler suit that you have to wear, which are very comfortable and you can get changed in a dressing room and they supply you with a locker to put your things in. The locker is supplied because you are not allowed to take anything onto the bridge with you.
You are also supplied with a harness, a cap and a buckle that fits to your belt, this clips onto cables on the bridge so you are connected and cannot fall. You also receive a radio and headset so that the team leader can speak to you and describe what you are seeing whilst up on the bridge.
The team leader then guides you over a small climbing frame. This is to show you the ladders you have to climb up and how to connect yourself to the frame. After that it is on to the climb itself. Before starting the induction I was feeling quite nervous, after it had done me the world of good and I just wanted to get started.
You leave the office and walk about 100 yards down the road. Entering through a secure door you are about to start the climb. We walked a long a gangway for about 100 yards, this was above a road and then above the water in the harbour. At this point our radios were getting static and we couldn't hear our guide, within seconds another tour guide appeared and sorted the problem out.
This is where the real climbing started. Firstly you have to travel up 4 short ladders. On the ladders you have to take your time as you may bang your knees climbing up. You go up one at a time and are being watched at all times by somebody at the bottom and at the top. Then you reach the main archway on the bridge, it is really a quite simple walk up and the bridge is not as steep as you would think. Your guide stops along the way, so you can get some rest, so he can tell you some things about what you can see and generally get to know people.
On the way up and on the way back down you also get your picture taken by your guide. These you can buy from the gift store on the way out. I thought they were quite over-priced but at the end of the day like I said earlier, I will probably never do it again.
Coming down the bridge is just the same as going up but in reverse (obviously). Once up on the bridge though you do get a lot of time to take in everything around you and enjoy the experience Some days would be better than others though, I don't think the view would be so spectacular if it was raining and cloudy.
After completing the climb I was so pleased I did it. I would definitely say that if you visit Sydney and don't do the climb you have missed out. It is well worth the money you pay. The staff are all friendly and helpful, and the whole set-up is extremely professional. I only hope I go back to Sydney one day so I can do it again.
very helpful
very helpful
very helpful
very helpful
