When I knew I was going to Sydney, the one thing that I wanted to do was to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. So instead of going shopping on the last day, I used the time more effectively to climb the Bridge. Incidentally, it was right next door to my hotel - the Shangri La in the Rocks, so I did not have to waste much time.
I turned up for the 0830 hrs bridge climb experience which would occupy me for the next 3 and half hours. It started with a briefing on what to expect, how to dress up and ensure there were no loose ends as everything had to be secured (fear of objects falling from a great height). There was a simulation of climbing ladders as there would be 4 different ones on the bridge. We had to introduce ourselves with the others in the group (a total of 13) and state the reason why we were there. There was guy celebrating his birthday whilst others were treating for future or past ones. I ofcourse was there because it had to be done and struck off my bucket list. The others were of different age groups as well as nationalities and I was surprised that most of them were older people.
To be honest, it was also a chance for me to conquer my fear of heights – acrophobia. But during the climb, there was no fear at all. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the views were great, especially because the weather was quite good. The climb itself was not at all difficult. It was a gradual slope and was quite comfortable. I guess, only the ladders must have been difficult for the older people.
Our guide Jon, was very knowledgeable about the making of the bridge as well as the city itself. When the bridge was built, it was a masterpiece of its time and it was built as an icon for a new nation to announce itself to the world as well as make its mark. It provides a frame for the beautiful harbour of Sydney and is truly an awe inspiring structure.
The climb fee is AUD 198 which is a bit steep but worth every cent. I was informed that the idea for the bridge climb originated from a man who rode the first train across and was the holder of the ticket 01. He is passionate about the bridge and wanted other people to experience it and thus came up with the idea of the bridge climb. However he had to convince the authorities who had reservations about it. He patiently worked through it and finally persevered to make his dream a reality. Today more than 2.5 million people have climbed the bridge (and I am proud that I am one of them) and the proceeds from the bridge climb fees pays for the maintenance of the bridge.
Some of the details taken from Wikipedia and the website of the Bridge Climb experience - http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
• The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore.
• The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image and the most recognizable image of both Sydney and Australia.
• The bridge is locally nicknamed "The Coat Hanger" because of its arch-based design.
• The bridge was opened in 1932 and until 1967 it was the city's tallest structure.
• It took over eight years to build the Bridge, between July 1923 and March 1932. Planning for the Bridge began as early as 1912.
• Dr JJC Bradfield, who lends his name to the Bradfield Highway in Sydney, prepared the general design, and is considered the ‘Father of the Bridge’. The detailed design and the crucial plans for the erection process were carried out by the contractor’s consulting engineer Ralph Freeman, who later received a knighthood.
• According to Guinness World Records, it is the world's widest long-span bridge and it is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (440 ft) from top to water level.
• It is also the fifth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world.
• The weight of the steel arch is 39,000 tons
• The girders are made from steel (79% imported from England and 21% from Australian sources). The pylons are made of concrete faced in granite, which was quarried near Moruya, 300km from Sydney. Around 6 million rivets and 52,800 tonnes of steelwork and 17,000 cubic metres of granite have gone into the construction of the Bridge.
• The approach spans were erected first, then work began on the main arch. Two half-arches were built out from each side of the Harbour. Steel members were transported on barges into the Harbour and hauled into position with creeper cranes mounted on the arches, which built the Bridge out before them as they inched forward.
• The two halves of the arch were joined on 19 August 1930, bringing a well needed smile to the face of depression-era Sydney. The road deck was then hung from the arch from the centre outwards and was in place within nine months.
• The bridge itself was regarded as a triumph over Depression times, earning the nickname "the Iron Lung", as it kept many Depression-era workers employed.
I turned up for the 0830 hrs bridge climb experience which would occupy me for the next 3 and half hours. It started with a briefing on what to expect, how to dress up and ensure there were no loose ends as everything had to be secured (fear of objects falling from a great height). There was a simulation of climbing ladders as there would be 4 different ones on the bridge. We had to introduce ourselves with the others in the group (a total of 13) and state the reason why we were there. There was guy celebrating his birthday whilst others were treating for future or past ones. I ofcourse was there because it had to be done and struck off my bucket list. The others were of different age groups as well as nationalities and I was surprised that most of them were older people.
To be honest, it was also a chance for me to conquer my fear of heights – acrophobia. But during the climb, there was no fear at all. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the views were great, especially because the weather was quite good. The climb itself was not at all difficult. It was a gradual slope and was quite comfortable. I guess, only the ladders must have been difficult for the older people.
Our guide Jon, was very knowledgeable about the making of the bridge as well as the city itself. When the bridge was built, it was a masterpiece of its time and it was built as an icon for a new nation to announce itself to the world as well as make its mark. It provides a frame for the beautiful harbour of Sydney and is truly an awe inspiring structure.
The climb fee is AUD 198 which is a bit steep but worth every cent. I was informed that the idea for the bridge climb originated from a man who rode the first train across and was the holder of the ticket 01. He is passionate about the bridge and wanted other people to experience it and thus came up with the idea of the bridge climb. However he had to convince the authorities who had reservations about it. He patiently worked through it and finally persevered to make his dream a reality. Today more than 2.5 million people have climbed the bridge (and I am proud that I am one of them) and the proceeds from the bridge climb fees pays for the maintenance of the bridge.
Some of the details taken from Wikipedia and the website of the Bridge Climb experience - http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
• The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore.
• The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image and the most recognizable image of both Sydney and Australia.
• The bridge is locally nicknamed "The Coat Hanger" because of its arch-based design.
• The bridge was opened in 1932 and until 1967 it was the city's tallest structure.
• It took over eight years to build the Bridge, between July 1923 and March 1932. Planning for the Bridge began as early as 1912.
• Dr JJC Bradfield, who lends his name to the Bradfield Highway in Sydney, prepared the general design, and is considered the ‘Father of the Bridge’. The detailed design and the crucial plans for the erection process were carried out by the contractor’s consulting engineer Ralph Freeman, who later received a knighthood.
• According to Guinness World Records, it is the world's widest long-span bridge and it is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (440 ft) from top to water level.
• It is also the fifth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world.
• The weight of the steel arch is 39,000 tons
• The girders are made from steel (79% imported from England and 21% from Australian sources). The pylons are made of concrete faced in granite, which was quarried near Moruya, 300km from Sydney. Around 6 million rivets and 52,800 tonnes of steelwork and 17,000 cubic metres of granite have gone into the construction of the Bridge.
• The approach spans were erected first, then work began on the main arch. Two half-arches were built out from each side of the Harbour. Steel members were transported on barges into the Harbour and hauled into position with creeper cranes mounted on the arches, which built the Bridge out before them as they inched forward.
• The two halves of the arch were joined on 19 August 1930, bringing a well needed smile to the face of depression-era Sydney. The road deck was then hung from the arch from the centre outwards and was in place within nine months.
• The bridge itself was regarded as a triumph over Depression times, earning the nickname "the Iron Lung", as it kept many Depression-era workers employed.
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