Spanning the water between the city centre and the North Shore, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most recognisable landmarks, nicknamed the Coathanger for the shape of its great steel arch. It carries road, rail, cycle and foot traffic across the harbour at Milsons Point. The bridge opened in 1932 after almost a decade of construction, a huge undertaking during the years of the Depression that gave work to thousands and became a symbol of the city's ambition. Its single arch is among the widest and heaviest steel arches in the world, rising high above the water and anchored at each end by massive stone-faced pylons that frame the structure. The opening ceremony became famous for an unexpected incident, when a protester on horseback slashed the ribbon ahead of the official party, a moment still remembered in accounts of the day. Together with the nearby Opera House, the bridge forms the backdrop to the city's celebrations, and its arch is a focal point of the spectacular fireworks that mark the new year over the harbour. One of the southern pylons houses a lookout and a small museum reached by climbing a stair, giving views along the harbour and over the city from a height. For the more adventurous, an organised climb leads groups up the curve of the arch to the summit, high above the traffic, for a sweeping panorama of the harbour and beyond. Whether crossed on foot, viewed from the water or climbed to the top, the bridge remains a defining feature of Sydney and a fixed point in its skyline. The bridge can be crossed on foot or by bicycle along dedicated lanes, free of charge, while the pylon lookout and the guided arch climb are paid attractions. It lies a short walk from Milsons Point and the Circular Quay area, both well served by train and ferry.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Milsons Point, Sydney, Australia, 2061

Opening Date: 19/03/1932