{"id":23359,"date":"2013-05-27T14:05:32","date_gmt":"2013-05-27T04:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=23359"},"modified":"2018-05-15T03:24:10","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T17:24:10","slug":"lighting-up-the-sydney-harbour-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/lighting-up-the-sydney-harbour-bridge\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting up the Sydney Harbour Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s Friday afternoon and it has been raining all day. It\u2019s safe to say lastminute lovely, Ange, and I are nervous. We are nervous because we are going to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge<\/a> and although I live in an 11th floor apartment, the height doesn\u2019t do wonders for my confidence.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What makes our climb extra special though is that it\u2019s the first night of VIVID<\/a>, Sydney\u2019s annual Festival of creativity \u2013 light, music and ideas. And this year it\u2019s a world first with Sydney\u2019s iconic Bridge being included in the light display.
\nNot only will we be on the Bridge when the city\u2019s brightly coloured lights are turned on but, dressed in our specially customised light-up jackets, we\u2019ll be an actual feature of the event with festival goers being able to see us from below. Yep, please contain your jealousy.<\/p>\n
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LED lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, image by Renato Avanzini<\/p><\/div>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

The climb of our lives<\/strong>
\nWe 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\u2019t eaten since breakfast because my stomach has been jumpy, so I quickly grab a bottle of water and a muesli bar. We\u2019re told that we should eat since we\u2019ll be on the bridge for over two hours. But of course, we won\u2019t notice that it\u2019s that long because it will be amazing. Of course.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

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.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

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\u2019s a small bit of a workout we go at a leisurely pace, stopping regularly for information about the bridge\u2019s history from our friendly guide (heck if a 90 year old lady can do the climb then so can I).<\/p>\n

You feel nice and safe \u2013 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\u2019re on top of the city. And whilst the rain didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t look down, don\u2019t look down.<\/p><\/div>\n

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We made it! Check out the Lighting of the Sails behind us<\/p><\/div>\n

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Our group on top of The Coathanger<\/p><\/div>\n

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The city looked spectacular<\/p><\/div>\n

I definitely recommend BridgeClimb for any visitors to Sydney, but also to Sydneysiders too. It\u2019s a great way to discover your city, and I have to say, I have developed a new appreciation for my home city.<\/p>\n

BridgeClimb tours run throughout the year with climbs held from dawn to dusk. I would suggest climbing in the cooler months because it\u2019s not as busy as in summer and you\u2019ll get some extra love from the very knowledgeable tour guides.
\nAnd for something extra special, climb during the VIVID festival to see the beautifully illuminated city skyline. It\u2019s pretty special. This year the lights will be switched off on June 10 2013 so get booking. For more info on what\u2019s on at VIVID 2013 check out my Top ten: winter in Sydney blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Sydney Opera House, image by Ranti Di Lizio<\/p><\/div>\n

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