Sydney Harbour Bridge Nicknamed the Coathanger

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The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and a defining feature of the Sydney skyline. Stretching across Sydney Harbour between The Rocks and Milsons Point, the bridge carries road traffic, trains, pedestrians and cyclists between the city centre and Sydney’s North Shore.

Nicknamed the “Coathanger” because of its enormous steel arch, the bridge opened in 1932 and remains one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Sydney Harbour Bridge viewed from Circular Quay in Sydney Australia
Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay. Photo: JJ Harrison / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

About the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was built to provide a permanent connection between central Sydney and the northern suburbs.

Construction took approximately eight years and the bridge officially opened on 19 March 1932.

The main steel arch spans approximately 503 metres, while the top of the bridge rises about 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. Around 53,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction.

Walk Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the best free activities in Sydney.

The pedestrian walkway is located on the eastern side of the bridge and provides excellent views across Sydney Harbour, including the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and the surrounding city skyline.

You can begin the walk from The Rocks on the southern side or from Milsons Point on the northern side.

Allow approximately 20 to 30 minutes to walk across the bridge without long stops, although photographers may want to allow considerably longer.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

For a very different experience, visitors can climb the steel arches of the bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney.

The climb takes visitors high above the harbour and offers panoramic views across Sydney, including the Opera House, Circular Quay, Barangaroo and the distant suburbs.

Different BridgeClimb experiences are available, including climbs reaching the summit of the bridge.

The main Summit Climb takes around 3 hours in total, including approximately two hours on the bridge itself.

Visit the Pylon Lookout

The Pylon Lookout is another excellent option for visitors who want elevated views without completing the full BridgeClimb experience.

Located in the south-eastern pylon, the lookout provides panoramic views over Sydney Harbour.

The entrance is accessible from the pedestrian walkway across the bridge.

Best Views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

There are many excellent places around Sydney Harbour where you can photograph the bridge.

  • Circular Quay
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Mrs Macquarie’s Point
  • The Rocks
  • Milsons Point
  • Luna Park Sydney
  • Barangaroo
  • Blues Point Reserve
  • Sydney Harbour ferries

One of the classic Sydney views combines the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Sydney Opera House across the harbour.

See the Bridge from the Water

A ferry trip from Circular Quay is one of the easiest ways to appreciate the scale of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Several ferry routes provide close views of the bridge as they travel across Sydney Harbour.

Popular destinations include:

  • Manly
  • Taronga Zoo
  • Milsons Point
  • Barangaroo
  • Parramatta

History of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The bridge was constructed under the direction of engineer Dr John Bradfield, who played a major role in planning the project.

British company Dorman Long & Co was responsible for its construction.

The bridge’s two enormous steel arches gradually extended from opposite sides of the harbour before meeting above the centre of the water in 1930.

The bridge opened to the public in 1932 and quickly became one of Australia’s most recognisable structures.

Interesting Sydney Harbour Bridge Facts

  • The bridge opened on 19 March 1932.
  • The steel arch spans approximately 503 metres.
  • The top of the arch rises about 134 metres above the harbour.
  • Around 53,000 tonnes of steel were used.
  • Approximately six million rivets were used during construction.
  • The bridge carries vehicles, trains, cyclists and pedestrians.
  • It is commonly nicknamed the “Coathanger”.

Getting to the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The southern end of the bridge is located beside The Rocks, close to Circular Quay.

From Circular Quay railway station, it is approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk to the pedestrian bridge access.

On the northern side, Milsons Point railway station provides convenient access to the bridge, Luna Park and surrounding harbour attractions.

How Long Should You Allow?

Allow approximately 30 to 60 minutes if you simply want to walk across the bridge and take photographs.

Allow around 1 to 2 hours if you are also visiting the Pylon Lookout or exploring The Rocks and Milsons Point.

A BridgeClimb experience can take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the climb selected.

Nearby Attractions

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is surrounded by many of Sydney’s best-known attractions.

  • Sydney Opera House
  • Circular Quay
  • The Rocks
  • Luna Park Sydney
  • Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Barangaroo Reserve

Suggested Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk

A good sightseeing route is to begin at Circular Quay, walk through The Rocks and then cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point.

From Milsons Point, continue towards Luna Park and the harbour foreshore before returning to the city by train or ferry.

Travel Tip

Walk across the bridge in the late afternoon for excellent harbour views, then stay around Milsons Point or The Rocks as the city lights begin to appear.

For one of the classic Sydney experiences, combine the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a visit to the nearby Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay.

Image credit: JJ Harrison, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.

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