Our round the world trip (16): Sydney from above
Day 17 (Thursday) was our second day in Sydney and “a day at leisure” in the official programme, so all members of the group did different things with Roger & Vee ascending two of the city’s iconic locations.
The main event of the day was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This construction was completed in 1932 and cost the lives of 16 workers, although only one actually fell off. The bridge rises to 134 metres and it is a defining feature of the city, known to locals as “the giant coat hanger”. Entrance to the climb is on Cumberland Street
We had been so keen to do this climb that we booked it online almost three months ahead. We had opted for the Express Climb which took just over two hours (10 am – 12.15 pm) and cost AU$ 198 (£134) each. Vee found it all no trouble at all, but this is the girl who in South Africa did the world’s highest bungee jump. Roger will confess to having been anxious before starting the climb, but he was fine as soon as it commenced.
As with all tourist attraction in Australia, it was very well organised and totally safe. There were 10 in our group – five Americans, four Brits, and one Italian – and our guide was a cheerful young woman called Amy.
Preparation for the climb takes a while. You have to strip to your underwear and don the standard company blue one-piece outfit, since it is quite a hot endeavour. The whole point is to ensure that nothing can drop from people on the bridge. So no personal possessions at all are allowed – glasses and the company sun hat have to be attached to lanyards and even the handkerchief which is supplied has to be fixed to your wrist. Most vital of all, you wear an upper body harness which has a safety clip, which attaches you to a metal line on the bridge at all times, and headphones and radio, which enables you to hear the guide’s instructions and information at every point of the climb.
If you suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia, this climb is definitely not for you (we learned that one or two do turn back each day) . Otherwise moderate fitness is all that is required, although the climb is quite strenuous (it involves around 1400 steps and a few steep or tight situations) and it helps not be be tall (Roger hit his head several times which is why he wore that silly cap all the time). At the top of the bridge, Amy took a group photograph and Individual shots. There is a spot at the top where couples can get married and apparently 24 have already done so.
The climb is not actually all the way over to the other side of the bridge; rather you climb up on the Opera House side of the bridge and then at the top traverse to the opposite (western) side and return to where you started. For our climb, the weather was perfect and the views were spectacular for an awesome experience. The beautiful harbour all around, boats and ships underneath, the wonderful Opera House on one side, the terrific skyline behind us, the north side of the city ahead of us were simply breathtaking.
Once we had caught our breath and had a snack at the Bridge Climb facility, we took a taxi to another of the city’s structures that we had to ascend before we left: Sydney Tower Eye on Market Street. This was completed in 1981 and cost AU$ 26 M to construct. It is 309 metres high and one of the tallest strcuture in the Southern Hemispshre. Admission is AU$ 26 (£18) a head. The tower is not the bridge but it is still fun. After viewing a short 4D film, you ascend in a rapid lift to an observation deck with excellent 360 degree views of the city.
This evening we will have our farewell dinner and the Australian part of our tour will be complete. Tomorrow we have to leave the hotel at 4 am (!) to catch our aircraft to New Zealand.
March 21st, 2013 at 7:22 am
OH Roger, what am I going to do when you get home and I do not have these wonderful descriptions of your holiday. So pleased you enjoyed the climb on the bridge. Well done. My father worked on the bridge he was a fitter and turner before he joined the Australian Air Force in 1939. I have some wonderful photos of the construction and when the bridge meet in the middle. Wonderful piece of history for our family. Well love to you both, sure you will enjoy New Zealand back to your type of country not as ruggered as Australia, very beautiful place. Travel safe and I will ring you both when you are back in the UK. love Trish xo
March 21st, 2013 at 10:18 am
I’m loving all the blog updates Roger and look forward to reading them every day. Keep up the great work and see you soon.
March 21st, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I have to agree with Trish and David. The blog updates are amazing. I think you should seriously think about writing a travel guide. You have a wonderful talent for it. I am learning so much. Looking forward to the next update from Middle Earth.
March 21st, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Trish, David and Spence.
Thanks so much for this encouraging feedback back. I enjoy pulling together our experiences and it’s great to know that others like reading my postings.
The availability of an iPad and free WiFi has transformed how I can communicate our holiday notes. Vee loves having her new iPad mimi with her too.
Currently we are sitting in Sydney Airport waging for our fight to New Zealand. Our wake up call was at 3 am and only a coffee is keeping me in the land of the living.