Sydney Bridge Climb
 

Can anyone tell me how scary the Sydney Bridge climb is and exactly what it involves? I'm traveling to Sydney with my husband at the end of November and he's planning on doing the bridge climb. I'm a little scared of heights and I'm having a hard time understanding what it is like. Any descriptions / reviews would be GREATLY appreciated!

Hi Oztraveler,
We have climbed only once but plan to do it again in December when we return.
The one word I would not use is Scary.
It is really exhilerating and conducted with safety being all 10 in a top 10 of priorities. You will have to change into suits that are provided and place your clothes in a locker, you can wear trousers or shorts and shirt under the suit it really depends on you.Or you can just wear underwear!
Once you are kitted up with suit gloves etc there is a practice climb inside the main building where the technique of climbing the bridge ladders is shown,the only thing really is that you have a harness/belt around your waist and when moving along the bridge the attachment to the bridge safety wire is a little bit restricting but its really ok.
You are given a radio receiver to hear your guide explain the views and some stories along the way.
You cannot take anything up with you like camera or mobile for fear of them falling to the cars below.
Photographs are taken by the guides and it really is a fantastic experience and a serious MUST DO in Sydney in my opinion. It is not particularily cheap but you are there for about 3 hours or so in all and go up the opera house side to the center and come back down the opposite side from the center.
I mean you don't go right across the bridge, just up to halfway cross over and back again.
I can honestly say that it didn't feel 'high' strange as it may seem. You are anchored to the bridge totally and there is no danger at all.
Do it and you will want to do it again.
One tip to remember, if you want photograph with someone, just make sure you are next to them in the line, once you are in line you cannot change position as its a closed loop safety rail that you are attached to.
Have fun


Muck

May I add a further point:
Do not go for Dutch courage in the form of alcohol. You will be breathalysed before you go. If you're over their limit, well - that's all folks! And no refund!

I didn't find it at all scary, but then, I'm not really afraid of heights. As Mucky says, safety is a high priority. You're tied to the Bridge and can't fall anywhere! He gives good practical advice (for a Pom ;)...)

So one doesn't need to be particularly athletic in order to do this? Non-athletic seniors can accomplish the task?

We're planning to do the bridge climb in a few weeks when we arrive in Sydney for our Honeymoon.

How far in advance do you need to book? I've read some people say that you need to book well ahead of time (wich means we may already be out of luck!) and others say wait to book becuase if the weather is nasty, usualy you go up anyway and it would be better to wait for a nice day to book.

Going to be in Sydney October 21st to 25th. What would be the best time to book?

My 70-something aunt did it without problems. If you can walk, you can do it. There's quite a few stairs at the start, which may remind your knees of something, but otherwise, go for it!

Oh Margo Oz,
Thank you
You made me chuckle !!
Of course I am a pom in your eyes but I am 100% welsh..does that count as dilluted pom?....lol
Yes its true you get breatherlised....good advice from an Aussie...lol ;-)
JW; don't worry its really not difficult, if you can get upstairs to the bathroom then you can do this....lol
fripp- we just went along and asked them when they had space and they fitted in nicely with us.
Of course you can book on the website, but you can't climb within 24 hrs of flying (not sure why it's hardly everest)

xxx
Muck

Go for it. Book now. Try to do a twilight climb. My wife who's afraid of heights loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat.

A couple more points!

1) End of November may mean end of the World Cup, finals - 22 November. It may be pretty busy around this time (unless there's an upset and Wales make the finals!)

Mucky ;) :)

2) It may be getting hot by the end of November, so I'd opt for an early morning or later afternoon climb. On top of the Bridge, in that suit, in the middle of the day, may be a tad umcomfortable.

Hi again,
If Wales make the finals I will come over myself to watch it.. Naked!!
However I suspect that whatever happens Sydney will have more Red dragon flags,shirts, skirts and dresses than any other place in the world. That includes Cardiff.
The Welsh Rugby fans are travelling in their thousands and will probably not come home for a year.
So don't be surprised if the Aussie and NSW flags on top of the bridge are changed for the welsh dragon and the cross of St David !!.. (Quite right too)
;-)
Muck

I enjoyed the information and humour of this thread in addition to the one I started. I read the Sydney Bridge Climb website. If a 100 yr. old woman can do it, so can I (71).

I've taken my son's challenge and he will be paying for the climb (approx.$155-175AU and dinner for two anywhere in Sydney). My husband has trouble driving over bridges so he won't be going.

What is a POM? What is PVC for shoes?

When we did the bridge climb, we found out the 100 year old woman actually took the service elevator up, got off and went up a short distance and went back down. It was a publicity stunt. But the climb is pretty easy, especially since they stop so much. I`m so glad I did it, and you will be to!

Michi,
To reply to your questions - a POM is an Australian term for an English person and PVC is form of rubber sole on a shoe.

Has anyone ever done the bridge climb at night? It looks like that is the only time left for my husband and I to go. Can anyone comment on the night climbs and if they are as worthwhile as everything I've heard about going during the day??

Pat

That's quite a publicity stunt taking a 100 year old woman up the bridge by elevator! I noticed on the bridge climb website they had a place where one could find out more about this woman's climb, but I didn't look at it. Maybe they confessed. But I'm raring to go regardless based on comments made here.

It would be interesting to know what various climbers felt about the time of day they climbed and if they had to do it again would they choose another time. In April do you think we need reservations?

I am specifcally interested in the night climbs. Has anyone ever done the bridge climb at night?
It looks like that is the only time left for my husband and I to go while in Sydney in the beginning of January.
Can anyone comment on the night climbs and if they are as worthwhile as everything I've heard about going during the day??

Mucky and others,

I was definitely going to do the climb with no hestitation when last night -- this is the truth -- I dreamt about the bridge and we were at the top and all the people had to jump into the water and swim to shore! Can anyone tell me how far that would be?

oh michi,
your dream either worried me or made me laugh, i am not quite sure which..lol
sorry i dont know how high it would be but the height wont kill you but the sharks will...lol
perhaps its a message ! there is one motivation and that is that you wont get your money back if you drop out.
go on ...do it !!!

have fun
muck

Yes - I went at night - and it's great. You get lights rather then spectacular views - but it is worth doing. You'll be glas you did 0- and night time may be more comfortable! (heatwise!)

But do try not to jump - the authorities take a very dim view of this :P That's why you're tied to the Bridge all the way!

My husband and I climbed the bridge on his 74th birthday. Loved it. For me the only part I didn't like was at the beginning when we had to climb straight up through a narrow opening. Once out on the bridge it was WONDERFUL! P.S. The hotel made the reservations for us the morning of the climb.