How to make friends in high places, Aussie style.

Known as “The Coathanger” to Sydneysiders, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s tallest steel arch bridge, towering 440 feet (134 meters) over Sydney Harbour. The bridge was opened on March 19, 1932. In typical quirky Aussie style, just before Premier Lang officially opened the bridge, a uniformed man on a horse rode up and slashed the ribbon with his cavalry sword. He was promptly arrested.

View of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Not content for trains, cars, bicycles and pedestrians to walk on the bridge, the Aussies now allow people to walk over the bridge. Since 1998 visitors have been allowed to suit up and climb all the way to the top of the structure to be treated to amazing views and an unparalleled surge of adrenaline.

This was exactly where I found myself in February on a mild late summer’s day, a perfect day to do something crazy! I had just landed in Sydney, Australia my seventh and last continent, to complete a lifelong bucket list dream. To celebrate I felt the need to do something unique…and this certainly fit the bill.

George and Stella summit the bridge!

The whole climb takes about 3 hours with meticulous safety preparations, a briefing and a familiarization climb on a mock-up staircase. Afterwards, safely hitched to an ingenious safety harness, a group of intrepid climbers ventured through the hollow Art Deco pylons of the bridge and slowly mounted the span. Gradually we watched the beautiful city of Sydney unfold before us. A gentle sea breeze kept our party from getting too overheated as we approached the summit, there to have our photos taken for all posterity to marvel and wonder (well…maybe I’m a little “over the top” here). You get a complimentary group photo and short video clip as part of the deal…individual shots you pay for.

Group photo on the bridge

You also get a Climber Certificate!

The trip will set you back several hundred dollars…but hey, unless you live here, how often do you get to Australia? Why not make it a memorable visit?