General Information
What is it?
Instantly recognisable, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's tallest steel arch bridge, connecting the northern suburbs of Sydney with the city centre. It is also a vital link in Sydney's transport infrastructure, with more than 200,000 cars travelling its length each day. Spanning Sydney Harbour at a maximum height of 134 metres, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a spectacular feat of engineering and an enduring icon famous the world over. Despite efforts to capture Sydney's signature attraction on film, there’s nothing quite like seeing it for yourself, so come on over and witness the greatest of Sydney's attractions!!
Things to Do
Activities
There are many ways to get the most out of your Sydney Harbour Bridge experience and one way is to do the Harbour Bridge Climb. The Harbour Bridge Climb is a thrilling oppurtunity that involves walking/climbing up the arch of the bridge. The view from the top is amazing and it's most definitely a worthwhile experience. If heights isn't your thing, then a casual work across the bridge also works. It will be a sight to behold, a memory that'll stay with you forever!
Events
Often, the Harbour Bridge is the centrepiece of celebrations all throughout the year, from New Year's Eve, Australia Day or VIVID Sydney. This is certainly a sight you do not want to miss out on, so be sure to check What's On, to see how you can make the most of your trip.
For information about how to be able to visit and climb the Harbour Bridge, click here.
History
Proposals for the Bridge
There had been plans to build a bridge as early as 1815, when convict and noted architect Francis Greenway reputedly proposed to Governor Lachlan Macquarie that a bridge be built from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour. Nothing came of Greenway's suggestions, but the idea remained alive, and many further suggestions were made during the nineteenth century. In 1840, naval architect Robert Brindley proposed that a floating bridge be built. Engineer Peter Henderson produced one of the earliest known drawings of a bridge across the harbour around 1857. A suggestion for a truss bridge was made in 1879, and in 1880 a high-level bridge estimated at $850,000 was proposed. A unique three-span bridge was proposed in 1922 by Ernest Stowe with connections at Balls Head, Millers Point, and Balmain with a memorial tower and hub on Goat Island.
Planning for the Bridge
Following World War I, plans to build the bridge again built momentum. Bradfield persevered with the project, fleshing out the details of the specifications and financing for his cantilever bridge proposal, and in 1921 he travelled overseas to investigate tenders. On return from his travels Bradfield decided that an arch design would also be suitable.
Construction of the Bridge
The building of the bridge was under the management of Bradfield. An estimated 469 buildings on the north shore, both private homes and commercial operations, were demolished to allow construction to proceed, with little or no compensation being paid. Work on the bridge itself commenced with the construction of approaches and approach spans, and by September 1926 concrete piers to support the approach spans were in place on each side of the harbour.
Location
Where you can find it
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a direct link between the Sydney CBD and the North Shore. It can be seen above the Sydney Harbour and the best view of it can be seen from Circular Quay. For those who want the chance to walk across the bridge or climb the bridge, it is recommended to go to Milsons Point. Direct entry onto the bridge is most convenient from Milsons Point station.