Bridge, Tourist attraction
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Six million hand-driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel went into Sydney's 1932 arch bridge, which carries cars, trains, bikes and walkers between the harbour's northern and southern shores with close views of the Opera House.
The story
Convict architect Francis Greenway proposed a harbour crossing in 1815, but it took engineer JJC Bradfield's 1916 design and eight years' work by more than 2,000 men to finish it in 1932. Sixteen died during construction, and around 800 families were relocated without compensation. At the opening, Francis de Groot of the New Guard slashed the ribbon with his sword before Premier John T Lang could cut it, a moment now part of Australian folklore. A pedestrian path, reached by lifts and stairs and kept apart from the traffic, runs between Dawes Point and Milsons Point, taking in the Opera House, Circular Quay and the skyline. At night bats circle above the arch. The bridge anchors the city's New Year's Eve celebrations, and BridgeClimb leads up the arches to a 134-metre summit.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Lifts and stairs at the ends lead up to the walkway, and the full crossing takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
- ✦Arrive at Milsons Point half an hour before sunset and walk back to Circular Quay as the city lights come on.
- ✦The walkway gets busy at peak tourist hours; for the classic Opera House and bridge photo, head to Mrs Macquarie's Point.