When I first started tossing around the idea of going to Australia, it was supposed to be a visit to reconnect with a friend. As you may have read in my last-minute trip to Sydney, that plan didn’t quite pan out. The trip quickly shifted from a reunion to a solo adventure. And honestly? It turned out to be the best kind of detour. One of the top experiences I had was the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb — an epic, high-above-the-harbour adventure that I was free to do simply because I was traveling solo.

A Bit of Bridge History (Because It’s Too Cool Not to Share)

The Sydney Harbour Bridge isn’t just an iconic photo opp. It’s an engineering marvel. Nicknamed “The Coathanger” for its arch shape, it officially opened in 1932 and took eight years to build. It connects Sydney’s CBD with the North Shore and remains one of the largest steel arch bridges in the world.

At the time, it was the most expensive project Australia had ever taken on. And here’s a fun fact I love. Paul Hogan—yes, Crocodile Dundee himself—used to work as a bridge painter. Because of course he did.

Start Your Day in The Rocks

f you’re planning to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb (and you absolutely should), give yourself time to wander The Rocks before or after. This historic neighborhood sits right at the base of the bridge and is one of the oldest areas in Sydney. What started as a convict settlement is now a maze of cobblestone streets, sandstone buildings, charming pubs, weekend markets, and waterfront views.

On the day of my climb, The Rocks was buzzing with an open-air market. There were booths full of local artists, handcrafted goods, delicious food stalls, and yes… even champagne. After my climb, I wandered through the market, browsed the art, and toasted my adventure with a celebratory glass of bubbly. It was the perfect way to come back down to earth. Figuratively, at least.

Choosing Your Perfect Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience

BridgeClimb Sydney offers a few different options depending on how long you want to be up there and how much ground or height you want to cover:

• Summit Climb: The classic route that takes you over the upper arch to the very top
• Summit Insider Climb: My choice. You start inside the bridge’s lower arch, walking through its inner framework before ascending to the summit
• Ultimate Climb: The full experience, covering both arcs for the full bridge fix
• Burrawa Indigenous Climb: A culturally enriching climb guided by an Aboriginal storyteller

I chose the Insider Climb because I was curious about what goes on inside this massive piece of steel, and the time slot worked well with the rest of my Sydney plans. It turned out to be an ideal mix of adventure, history, and stunning views. If you’re considering the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb but want something a bit less physically demanding and more behind-the-scenes, this is a great option.

What to Expect During Your Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Once you check in, you’re fitted with a jumpsuit (surprisingly flattering in a skydiver-meets-mechanic kind of way), briefed on safety, and geared up with a harness, headset, and all the necessary clips. Everything is designed with safety in mind, and your guide is with you the entire time sharing facts, stories, and pointing out landmarks as you go.

No phones, cameras, or loose items are allowed on the climb, but your guide will take plenty of photos, including the classic summit shot, so you won’t miss out on capturing the moment. Just a heads-up—the photos aren’t included in the climb price. You’ll have the option to purchase them afterward, and I definitely recommend going for the photo package. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience, and it’s worth having the pictures to prove you did it.

One thing to note. Some of the climbs, like the Summit and Ultimate routes, include vertical ladders and require a quick ladder training session before you start. But the Insider Climb doesn’t include any of that. There were only a few short ladders, and the rest of the path was made up of catwalks and gently sloped stairs. I had some concerns beforehand about the physical demands, but it turned out to be surprisingly manageable. And honestly, pretty fun.

The pace is relaxed with lots of breaks to catch your breath and take in the scenery. The views start out great and just keep getting better.

Standing on Top of Sydney

There’s this moment just before you reach the summit when you look out and realize you’re standing above the Sydney Opera House. Above the ferries and sailboats drifting through the harbor. Above the traffic flowing steadily below. It’s breathtaking. Wind in your hair, harness clipped in, adrenaline pumping, you get this rush of “I’m really doing this.”

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb wasn’t just a bucket list check. It felt like a full-circle moment. A reminder that even when plans fall apart, something better might be waiting. That solo travel doesn’t mean going without. It means opening yourself up to possibility. And that sometimes, doing something just for yourself is exactly what you need.

Final Thoughts on My Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

If you’re heading to Sydney and have a few hours to spare, do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Don’t let the price, the stairs, or the unknown stop you. Go for the views. Go for the story. Go because you can.