BridgeClimb Sydney is an Australian tourist attraction located in Sydney, New South Wales. It was launched in October 1998 and consists of a climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

BridgeClimb Sydney
IndustryTourism
Founded1 October 1998
FounderPaul Cave
Headquarters,
Websitewww.bridgeclimb.com

Climbs offered

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The BridgeClimb

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The BridgeClimb, established in 1998, is the original climb. It goes to the top of the bridge along the upper arch of the bridge and takes approximately three hours, including preparation time.

BridgeClimb Insider

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The BridgeClimb Insider guides guests to the interior of the steel bridge and then to the top in roughly 2.5 hours.

Ultimate Climb

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The Ultimate Climb sees climbers traverse the entire bridge from South to North, and back again.

Burrawa

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In 2021 BridgeClimb launched Burrawa, which focuses on commentary covering the indigenous history of Sydney Harbour with an indigenous storyteller as their guide.[1]

The different climbs are available at dawn, daytime, twilight and night plus special climbs for some of Sydney's events, like the Vivid Climb and the Anzac Day Dawn Climb.[2][3]

There have been over 4,000 proposals[4] at the summit of the bridge and couples also have the option to get married on the bridge, 134 m (440 ft) above Sydney Harbour. The experience has also attracted many famous actors, musicians and members of royalty including Matt Damon, Kylie Minogue, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey and Ben Stiller.[5][6][7]

Anyone over the age of eight years and in good health can climb. There is no maximum age, with the oldest climber being 100 years old. To book a climb, visitors can visit the website, and the price is from 198 Australian dollars.[8]

History

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The concept of BridgeClimb originated in 1989 when BridgeClimb's Founder and Chairman, Paul Cave, assisted in organising a Young Presidents Organisation World Congress in Sydney, which included a climb over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Following this event, Cave decided to establish climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a permanent attraction. This initiative involved numerous years of collaboration with state and local government bodies, community groups, and various experts on safety, logistics, media, heritage, and conservation matters. After nearly a decade of research and development, BridgeClimb Sydney was officially launched on 1 October 1998. At that time, BridgeClimb became the world's first tourism operator to offer bridge climbing as an experience.[9]

In June 2018 the franchise was awarded to Hammon's Holdings the proprietors of Scenic World for 20 years following a formal tender process.[10]

Pylon Lookout and Museum

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The Bridge's Pylon Museum and lookout showcase the history and stories of the Sydney Harbour Bridge through exhibits and interactive displays. This encompasses the narratives of the engineers, designers, skilled tradesmen, and labourers involved in its construction, as well as the 16 men who lost their lives during the process. The exhibition also chronicles the events and individuals involved in the Sydney Harbour Bridge's opening ceremony in 1932. Additionally, the Pylon Lookout is managed by BridgeClimb Sydney. Sydney.[11]

Awards

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The company has received several accolades, including a world record for number of flags flown on a bridge recognised by Guinness World Records.[12]

In 2007, BridgeClimb was awarded best "Major Tourist Attraction" at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.[13] Lonely Planet has recognised BridgeClimb Sydney as one of the world's top 10 'Biggest Adrenaline Rush' experiences[14] as well as one of the '10 Best Things to Climb'.[15] In 2011 and 2012, BridgeClimb was awarded 'Best Guided Tour in Australia' at the Australian Traveller Readers' Choice Awards.[16] In 2016, BridgeClimb was awarded 'Best Guided Tour in Australia' by the Australian Traveller Reader's Choice Awards[17] and best 'Major tourism Attraction' at the New South Wales Tourism Awards.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "An indigenous perspective on the Sydney Harbour experience". www.theaustralian.com.au.
  2. ^ Moreira, Marcelo (30 May 2018). "Vivid Sydney Bridge Climb". Vivid Sydney. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  3. ^ "'Magic' view from Sydney Harbour Bridge makes for an emotional dawn service". ABC News. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ^ Telegraph.co.uk The Telegraph article on bridge marriages. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Zoolander struts on Sydney Harbour Bridge". NZ Herald. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. ^ Harvey, Ellie (11 December 2010). "Oprah climbs the Sydney Harbour Bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  7. ^ Pitt, Tim Barlass, Helen (19 October 2018). "PM replaces Duchess of Sussex for Bridge climb with Prince Harry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Tickets & Prices for Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb | Book Direct". www.bridgeclimb.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  9. ^ DynamicBusiness.com Dynamic Business article referencing company's history. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  10. ^ Macmillan, Jade (15 June 2018). "Sydney Harbour Bridge climb awarded to new contractor for first time in 20-year history". www.abc.net.au.
  11. ^ "BridgeClimb Pylon Lookout & Museum". pylonlookout.com.au.
  12. ^ SMH.com.au Article citing Guinness World Record. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  13. ^ SMH.com.au The Sydney Morning Herald article referencing QAT award. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  14. ^ AusLeisure.com.au Archived 6 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Leisure magazine reference of accolade from Lonely Planet. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  15. ^ eTravelBlackboard.us eTravelBlackboard's reference of accolade from Lonely Planet. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  16. ^ Australiantraveller.com Article by Australian Traveller announcing 2012 winners. Retrieved 25-10-13.
  17. ^ "The Best Australian Experiences 2016 | Australian Traveller". Australian Traveller. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  18. ^ "2016 Winners". www.nswtourismawards.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
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33°51′08″S 151°12′39″E / 33.8523063°S 151.2107871°E / -33.8523063; 151.2107871