BridgeClimb Sydney: Is the Iconic Experience Really Worth It?

If you’re visiting Sydney anytime soon, you’re probably starting to plan what to do and where to go in the city. It’s an exciting time, and although it’s just my personal opinion, Sydney is one of the best cities in the world. You’ll definitely want to make the most of your time here, no matter how long you’re on holiday for, so getting together a list of must-dos in Sydney is, well, a must do.

There’s no doubt doing the BridgeClimb Sydney will have crossed your mind. It’s at the top of many people’s things to do while they’re in Sydney but there’s a lot of reasons you might be put off. Firstly, it is an expensive activity and you do venture quite high up above the Sydney skyline. Plus if you only have a short time in Sydney, it can take a few hours for the whole experience which you might want to spend doing other things.

However, if you’re only in Sydney once, I’m here to tell you that climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is worth it. It’s an experience you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world and for a lot of people, visiting Sydney is a once in a lifetime holiday so it makes sense to tick off one of the best experiences you can do in the city.

My Personal Experience: It’s So Good, I’ve Done It Twice

I’ve been lucky enough to spend a bit of time in Sydney, I lived there for a year after university and I’ve returned back a couple of times since for my own holidays. In that time, I’ve done the BridgeClimb Sydney twice. Once when I was on a meagre backpacker budget back in 2011 and once when I returned for a week’s holiday in 2025. 

Both times, the decision to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge was a considered activity. After all, it costs more than a lot of activities you might want to do and it does take up a few hours of time. But, the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to do this experience twice is a small indication that I think climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is worth it.

I love that you get to really be in the belly of the bridge, learn the story of the bridge and its place in Sydney. Everything about its history unfolds as your experienced guide leads you up the steel path, and you get to see Sydney from a unique perspective.

For me, it was worth the money. The first time, it was worth stretching my money by sleeping in a 10 bed dorm for a couple of weeks so that I could do the climb. The second time I had less hesitation and the experience was the kindest gift from my family so that we could make amazing memories together.

Each time, I did the Twilight Climb, and it was completely different both times. The first time it was sunny and bright, climbing to the top made me a bit clammy and I was thankful to have a thin layer on to keep me cool. The second time, the weather rolled in after a sunny morning and we battled 45mph winds and torrential rain at the top, but nothing could dampen my mood getting to see Sydney twinkling away in the evening light as we made our way back down to ground level.

But, you’ll probably still have to make up your mind about doing the BridgeClimb Sydney right? Well, here I am to give you a bit more information so that you can decide if climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is worth it. And oh I do hope you enjoy it if you decide to do this experience.

Information About The Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, or ‘The Coathanger’ as it’s known to locals, is unmissable in Sydney’s harbour. Towering 134 metres above the ground, the steel structure was built out of steel by 1,400 workers, with 6 million rivets and 52,800 tonnes of steel. Building the bridge was no easy task and took eight years to complete, opening in 1932. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a road, train, and foot passenger link between Sydney’s CBD and Milsons Point and is one of the most iconic structures in the world.

In 1998, the BridgeClimb Sydney became a tourist attraction after Paul Cave started running it and has successfully been operating ever since. With over 4.5 million people climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge since opening, with celebrities including Jonathan Bailey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Will Smith having climbed it in the past, it’s clearly a well-loved attraction in Sydney.

What Climbs Can You Do At BridgeClimb Sydney

Picking which climb you want to do is a big decision, and there are several climbs to choose from so it’s important you pick the right one for you.

You can choose between the Summit Climb, the Summit Insider Climb, the Ultimate Climb, the Burrawa Climb and the Underbridge Walk. There are also special event climbs when Vivid Sydney is in town. Times for each experience range from 2 hours to 3.5 hours depending on the route you choose to do but each climb includes the following: 360 degree views of Sydney, commentary on the history of the bridge and Sydney from your dedicated expert guide, safety and weather gear, a printed group photo and a Bridge Climb cap.

More information on each climb is below but each time I’ve done the Bridge Climb, I went for the Summit Climb which is around 3 hours long.

Summit Climb

The Summit Climb is the original Bridge Climb experience. It takes 3 hours in total with 2 hours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There’s ladders to climb as you reach the bridge summit along with 1332 steps in total as you walk along the upper arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Summit Climb is available for dawn, daylight, twilight, and night time climbs. The Summit Climb is perfect for you if you want the classic Bridge Climb Sydney experience.

Summit Insider Climb

The Summit Insider Climb is a shorter climb experience which takes 2.5 hours in total with 1.5 hours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There’s no ladders to climb on the Summit Insider as you walk along the lower arch with 1002 steps in total to the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s summit. The Summit Insider Climb is available for dawn, daylight, and twilight climbs. The Summit Insider Climb is perfect if you want to really want to feel up close with the steel architecture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Ultimate Climb

The Ultimate Climb is an extended Bridge Climb experience taking you from the south side of Sydney to the north, and then all the way back again. It takes 3.5 hours in total with 2.5 hours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and there’s no ladders to climb on this experience. However there is 1621 steps in total as you walk along both the lower and upper arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Ultimate Climb is available for daylight climbs and is perfect for you if you want to make it to the Bridge summit twice and see the views from the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, something that other won’t get to experience when doing the Bridge Climb.

Burrawa Climb

The Burrawa Climb is the same route as the original Summit Climb Experience but with a tailored climb experience guided by a dedicated bridge tour guide and a First Nations Storyteller. This is a unique experience where you’ll learn about Sydney’s Aboriginal history with stories about the Gadigal people and Australia’s First Peoples. There’s also the option to take part in a pre-climb ochre ceremony. The Burrawa Climb takes 3 hours in total with 2 hours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There’s ladders to climb as you reach the bridge summit along with 1332 steps in total as you walk along the upper arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Burrawa Climb is available for daylight climbs only and is perfect for you if you want to learn not just about the Sydney Harbour Bridge but the Aborignal history of Sydney and its harbour.

Underbridge Walk

The Underbridge Walk is the shortest of all the Bridge Climb experiences. It takes 2 hours in total with 1 hour on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There’s no ladders to climb as you walk the 398 steps on the lower arch of the bridge. This one could be an option if you’re not too keen on heights as the Underbridge Climb doesn’t take you to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Underbridge Climb is available for daylight climbs only and is ideal for you if you are short on time or want to make your budget stretch a little further without missing out on a Bridge Climb Experience. 

Vivid Sydney Climb

The Vivid Sydney Climb is the same as the Summit Climb but done at night when the Vivid Sydney Festival is in town. Vivid Sydney is a great event in itself with the city hosting light exhibitions and shows all around the city. Sydney’s CBD turns into a multicoloured vision with projections shining on to the Sydney Opera House, something which will look amazing from the Summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

What To Expect On Your Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb?

Well, you can expect a truly one-of-a-kind experience. You turn up to check in, head up to the waiting area when it’s your turn to start your Bridge Climb and get introduced to your host who will be your guide throughout the whole experience.

In our group, there were around 12 people ready and eager to get going. Everyone introduces themselves, says where they’re from and we also had to say why we were doing the Bridge Climb – reasons ranged from enjoying a retirement present to celebrating an engagement! Then, we got kitted out with gear (you’re provided with a Bridge Climb jumpsuit, safety hooks, sun hat, and rain jacket as well as a headset so you can hear everything your guide is saying.

We left any valuables in our locker, went through security screening (you’re not allowed to take anything up with you including cameras) and got going with our safety training. This included learning how to safely attach ourselves to the safety cable, and how to correctly go up and down the ladders. This process took around 30/45 minutes but before you know it you’re out on to the bridge, ready to go!

The first part of the climb, for me anyway, was the most nervewracking part of the experience. Walkways here are made from wood and meshed steel with a few ladders to climb to get onto the main path. You’re really in the bridge at this point, going through the granite pylons and face to face with the grey metal of the bridge. Before you know it, you’re at eye level with the traffic whizzing across the harbour and then all of a sudden, you peek into the open air taking your first steps on the incline to the top. 

Your guide will take great photos of you along the way, both group photos and of you and whoever you’re doing the climb with. The walk up is at a steady pace, after all you’re not just there to climb the bridge, you’re there to take in the views of Sydney too. The speed of the ascent also gives your guide time to listen to the stories surrounding the bridge as well as its history.

Going up, you’ll have the best views of Sydney Opera House, Sydney’s Botanical Gardens and then across to Bondi and the Eastern suburbs as you climb higher. Then, once you’re at the top you have plenty of time to feel on top of the world, plus you get your first proper glimpse across to Parramatta.

Eventually, it’ll be time to descend down the opposite side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is when you’ll get the best view of Sydney’s CBD, and of planes coming into land at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport. More photos will be taken on your way down and you’ll get to learn more about The Rocks, one of Sydney’s most historic areas before heading back into the depths of the bridge. Ladders and narrow walkways take you back into the granite pylons before you emerge back in the Bridge Climb Sydney centre.

All that’s left to do when you’re off the bridge is to unhook yourself from the headsets and safety equipment, get changed back into your own clothes, and go collect any souvenir photos – I’d really recommend this by adding on the photo and video package. It’s cheaper to buy this when you book your climb online but you can decide on the day if you do want the photos.

What Time Of Day Is The Best Time To Climb The Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Any time of day is a good time to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, but it also depends what your schedule is like when you’re visiting Sydney. For me, I loved doing the climb at Twilight. The chance to see sunset and watch the city turn all sparkly as the light faded was just too much to resist. However, doing the Bridge Climb during daylight hours will show off Sydney in its best light when the sun is shining.

It’s also worth looking at the prices, different times of day are less expensive than others so this is something to bear in mind if you’re visiting Sydney on a budget.

What If I Genuinely Can’t Afford, Or Don’t Want To Do The Bridge Climb?

No problem at all, the Sydney Bridge Climb is pricey but don’t worry at all if you’re really travelling on a budget. Or you might just want to spend your money on other activities while you’re in Sydney. Either way, there are other alternatives which you can enjoy.

Firstly, you can walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for free. There’s a footpath on the Sydney Opera House side of the bridge which you can access via the pedestrian walkway at Cumberland Street in The Rocks. The full walk across from The Rocks (Sydney CBD side) to Milsons Point (North Sydney side) is approximately 1.2 kilometres long and is a flat route instead of having to climb up several ladders to get onto the Bridge Climb. Please note there are steps or a lift at Cumberland Street to access the footpath across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll get to see amazing views of Sydney’s CBD and the Sydney Opera House along with Sydney’s ferries coming and going in Circular Quay.

The next option is to go up the Pylon Lookout. This is an experience you have to pay for but it’s a fraction of the price of the Bridge Climb. Plus, there’s a museum here too, so you’ll still get to learn about the construction and history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

What If I’m Scared Of Heights?

This is a valid concern and question for many people that are thinking about doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. I get it, you walk really high up off the ground and you have to traverse a few ladders and wooden planks to get onto the main part of the bridge. It can be daunting as you’re making your way up. 

The Bridge Climb Sydney website does offer a Face Your Fear section of their website so you can enjoy the Bridge Climb to the fullest. With helpful tips, there’s plenty of advice if you’re not sure about doing the Bridge Climb because of a fear of heights. You can also contact the Bridge Climb team with any concerns before you book.

But, you get plenty of time to practice fastening yourself securely to the walkway cable before you’re out with your group. You also get shown how to correctly go up and down the ladders as with some of the Bridge Climbs, there’s a few towards the beginning and end of the Bridge Climb. It’s likely you’re also with a group of people and it’s likely in that group of people there’s also someone else scared of heights. But the team spirit the guide brings to the group really does aim to ease everyone’s nerves and create a supportive atmosphere if you’re a little on edge.

If you make it onto the bridge, but suddenly decide it’s not for you, you have the option to head back to the Bridge Climb centre. This happened with one of our group, they made it through which I think is the hardest part, right at the beginning of the climb. There are parts when you can see the water below you and it can be daunting with the traffic rattling above you, and they decided they couldn’t continue. The staff were so good, they had words of reassurance and were quick to help when the lady decided she wanted to head back. I really felt for her but it’s good to know there’s a way to not carry on with the climb if it really is too much. 

Once you’re actually up onto the main pathway of the bridge, it doesn’t feel as bad as the path is quite wide. It’s solid too so you can’t see through to the ground. All you have to do is enjoy the view and listen to your guide tell you about the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Top Tips For Doing The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

So, if I’ve convinced you that climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is worth it, here are some top tips for you to enjoy your climb to the fullest.

Arrive Around 15 Minutes Early

This gives you time to check in for your climb, settle any nerves you might have, and have a wander around the gift shop. 

Have Food Before

When you check in, you will get asked when you last ate. This is because your experience is around 3 hours and the staff here want you to be as safe as possible, plus you need the energy to get to the top. You won’t want to be feeling faint on your Bridge Climb so have a meal or a snack before you start.

Make Sure You Have Any Necessary Medicine With You

This one tripped me up the first time I did the Bridge Climb. I have asthma but stupidly did not have my inhaler on me. Well I had to run to the nearest pharmacy and make an emergency purchase – super lucky I didn’t need a prescription as it could’ve meant my Bridge Climb experience was over. I didn’t make the same mistake the second time round and everything went smoothly. But definitely double check you have any necessary medicine with you and your Bridge Climb host will take good care of it while you’re doing your climb so you can just give them a wave if you need it.

Wear The Correct Clothing

The Bridge Climb goes ahead in pretty much any weather, rain or shine. Only if there’s an electrical storm or the wind gets above a certain speed will your Bridge Climb get cancelled. So, make sure you’re prepared with the right clothing. You’ll be given a thin jumpsuit to wear for your climb and in colder weather, it’s recommended to wear extra layers under this. In hotter weather, you might just be down to your underwear to stay as cool as possible.

If you’re slightly unfortunate enough to enjoy the climb in less than favourable weather, you are given a waterproof jacket to wear to keep you as dry as possible and in the heat you’ll have a souvenir Bridge Climb Sydney hat!

Whatever the weather, I’d recommend wearing sunscreen on your face – that aussie sun is powerful even on a cloudy day so definitely come prepared with that!

In terms of footwear, it’s best to wear closed toe shoes that are comfortable to walk in – trainers will do just fine.

Ask Your Guide For Some Tips After The Climb

It’s likely your guide is from Sydney, or has lived in Sydney for a while and therefore is likely to know about some good places to go. Our climb ended just as we were ready for dinner and, as we were slightly jetlagged we just wanted something quick and easy to eat. Pizza at The Australian Hotel was recommended along with a few other places so definitely spend a minute picking the brains of your guide, after thanking them for an awesome climb of course.

And that’s it, hopefully a useful review and guide of the BridgeClimb Sydney to help you decide if it’s an experience that’s worth your time and money. I think you can tell which camp I’m in but let me know what you think and if you’ve enjoyed BridgeClimb Sydney before.