Sydney Harbour Bridge

The basics

Whether you walk beneath it, drive over it, or climb up it on a guided tour, you simply can’t miss the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and most city sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the iconic bridge. Walking and biking tours afford impressive panoramic city views from the bridge, while Sydney Harbour cruises provide plenty of photo opportunities. Adventurous types can scale the summit on BridgeClimb Sydney tours or even soar overhead on a helicopter tour.

Things to know before you go

• Car, bike, and pedestrian lanes run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

• Walking the length of the bridge takes about 15 minutes.

• The car lanes require paying tolls, while the walking and cycling lanes are free.

• The bridge is not currently wheelchair accessible, with the pedestrian lanes reachable only by stairs.

How to get there

Sydney Harbour Bridge is located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, opposite the Sydney Opera House, and can be reached by foot from anywhere in downtown Sydney. Pedestrian access to the bridge starts from Circular Quay in The Rocks or Milsons Point in North Sydney.

When to get there

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is always open but can get busy, especially during rush hour. To beat the crowds, visit at sunrise or after dark, when the bridge becomes illuminated. For the most spectacular photo opportunities, time your visit for sunset or during Sydney's legendary New Year's Eve celebrations, when the bridge forms the focal point of an epic fireworks display.

Sydney Harbour Bridge by the numbers

Using 52,800 tons of steel, it took 1,400 people more than eight years to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition to being one of the tallest bridges of its kind, it's also the sixth-longest bridge in the world, measuring an impressive 3,770 feet (1,149 meters) long. Today, nearly 200,000 vehicles and foot passengers pass over the bridge daily.