Lighting up the Sydney Harbour Bridge

What makes our climb extra special though is that it’s the first night of VIVID, Sydney’s annual Festival of creativity – light, music and ideas. And this year it’s a world first with Sydney’s iconic Bridge being included in the light display.
Not only will we be on the Bridge when the city’s brightly coloured lights are turned on but, dressed in our specially customised light-up jackets, we’ll be an actual feature of the event with festival goers being able to see us from below. Yep, please contain your jealousy.

The climb of our lives
We arrive at 4pm with stomachs full of butterflies. Looking up at the bridge, I cannot imagine being at the top and looking down over the harbour. But with the reassurance of staff, we mentally prepare ourselves for the magic night ahead. I haven’t eaten since breakfast because my stomach has been jumpy, so I quickly grab a bottle of water and a muesli bar. We’re told that we should eat since we’ll be on the bridge for over two hours. But of course, we won’t notice that it’s that long because it will be amazing. Of course.

With an hour long induction, and practise run up a bridge simulation, we are in our jumpsuits, fleece jackets, rain coats, and ready to go! The rain clouds have even parted for the start of our big adventure.

Beginning with a moderately high catwalk over The Rocks, we are eased into the climb, before scaling up a ladder network through the Bridge. Whilst it’s a small bit of a workout we go at a leisurely pace, stopping regularly for information about the bridge’s history from our friendly guide (heck if a 90 year old lady can do the climb then so can I).

You feel nice and safe – wearing a harness that has you clipped to the sturdy steel bridge. At one point we ascend above lanes of peak hour road traffic which is a little startling at first but you get used to it. Away from the traffic you walk across the ridge of the bridge to the summit which is truly special. You feel like you’re on top of the city. And whilst the rain didn’t hold off the whole time, the raindrops were lit up by the colourful lights below, and so it actually added to the special VIVID experience.

I definitely recommend BridgeClimb for any visitors to Sydney, but also to Sydneysiders too. It’s a great way to discover your city, and I have to say, I have developed a new appreciation for my home city.

BridgeClimb tours run throughout the year with climbs held from dawn to dusk. I would suggest climbing in the cooler months because it’s not as busy as in summer and you’ll get some extra love from the very knowledgeable tour guides.
And for something extra special, climb during the VIVID festival to see the beautifully illuminated city skyline. It’s pretty special. This year the lights will be switched off on June 10 2013 so get booking. For more info on what’s on at VIVID 2013 check out my Top ten: winter in Sydney blog post.