Sydney Tourist Trap Tips by dracko

You've heard about it. You've seen the photos. You're all psyched about doing the bridge climb!! Well, it's about time you cooled off a bit. The climb, unfortunately, isn't all it's drummed up to be. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely an experience, and you learn a lot from the climb leader/tourguide. In fact, it's pretty cool to be able to say later that you climbed the bridge, and the views are very nice. But it will likely be an anti-climactic experience when you're all done with it, when you remember how much you paid for it. The A$175 climb price was just too much for what you get out of it. Especially, if you have visited the Pylon Lookout using the free pass that was given to you when you booked the climb.

Now, I don't want to imply that it's all bad. The Bridge Climb staff are absolutely superb and they make the best of what they have to work with. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and very safety conscious. For the climb itself, you're supplied with a special jumpsuit, safety harness, radio so you could hear the guide easier, a hat, a hankie, a raincoat if rain is expected, and a head light if you're climbing around dusk or later. EVERYTHING is secured either to the harness or to your suit, and you are not allowed to take ANYTHING of your own with you on the bridge short of your underclothes. The only other exception is glasses, and you are given a special lanyard for those that also clips to your suit. Reasoning behind it is that if something were to accidentally fall, it could cause some major damage to cars or pedestrians below. This, of course, means that you will be leaving your precious camera in the locker back at the base as well. So the only way to preserve the spectacular views from up top is to buy one or more of the photos of yourself that are taken by the guide during the climb.

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At Least Do This: The climb might be worth it, however, if you do it during dusk or at night, but then you get charged even more. Sydney can be quite spectacular at night from up high.
Alternative: Still, unless you got money to burn, my recommendation is to spend the A$8.50 and go to the Pylon Lookout (see my tip on that) instead.