Sydney – Bridge Climb – The Bennetts On Tour

Sunday morning. Great day to get strapped into a safety harness and clamber up the steel structure to the summit of the Sydney Harbour bridge. Why? Why not.

We chose the Summit option which would mean climbing to the flagpoles at the apex of the span.

One other Canadian joined us (did the remaining 33 know something we didn’t?). Our climbing group comprised 13 people from all corners of the English speaking world. The entire operation is a very well oiled machine putting through anywhere from 800 – 1,400 climbers a day.

There’s a sunrise option (4:30 a.m.) and a sunset choice (7:45 p.m.) and a new group every 20 minutes or so. We began our forty minute “training” session just after 11.

You are required to remove any and all items that could possibly fall and they double check using metal detectors. That meant no phones which meant no photos. Wearing a full body jump suit, everything is provided and is clipped on securely. Hat, sunglasses, radio equipment, etc. is attached.

There is an umbilical cord which links the climber to the bridge and as our guide said, we haven’t lost anyone “yet”. They have a small climb section in the ops area which one has to do to confirm they’re listening to the guide then it’s off and upward.

The path includes squeezing along a narrow track past the girders before ascending three vertical ladders stretching 100 feet. Focus on the steps, Don’t look down.

We then emerged into the sunshine and trekked upward.

Higher up we stopped for more photos.

And the views were spectacular.

One last wave and it was time to descend.

We covered 1,332 vertical steps and reached a height of 134 metres (440 feet) above the bay. The round trip took just over two hours although the guide taking photos meant a lot of waiting around.

Back on tera firma, the inevitable tourist shot.

Back to the hotel and a quick change into our reception clothes as we headed to the Royal Sydney Golf Club for cocktails.

This is one of the prestigious clubs in the city but having just undergone $40 M renovation, the club isn’t open for play until the end of March. Pity. It looks very inviting.