Sydney Bridge Climb

[Fabian52]

We are going to be in Sydney Nov. 12- 14th, 2009 coming in two days ahead of our cruise on the Sun Princess. We will be arriving approximately around 8:30 am on the 12th of Nov. and plan on checking into the hotel and then walking around the harbor and seeing the various sights close by the hotel. Then the next day plan on doing the all day tour of the Blue Mountains, the Featherdale Wildlife Park, the harbor cruise (all which is included in the above tour) and getting back around 5:30 PM to the hotel.
I know that after a 13 - 14 hr. flight from Los Angeles that we are going to be tired but can someone tell me if it would possible that I would have enough energy to do the Sydney Harbor bridge climb later in the evening to be able to see the sun setting.
I am in my early 50's so would I be able to handle it. Is it scarry because I don't like heights. How hard of a climb is it and is it just for the younger set.
Anyone that has done it could you please explain exactly what it entails to see if it would possible for me and DH to sign up for it. Would it be chilly also in November. Thanks.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by Fabian52

We are going to be in Sydney Nov. 12- 14th, 2009 coming in two days ahead of our cruise on the Sun Princess. We will be arriving approximately around 8:30 am on the 12th of Nov. and plan on checking into the hotel and then walking around the harbor and seeing the various sights close by the hotel. Then the next day plan on doing the all day tour of the Blue Mountains, the Featherdale Wildlife Park, the harbor cruise (all which is included in the above tour) and getting back around 5:30 PM to the hotel.
I know that after a 13 - 14 hr. flight from Los Angeles that we are going to be tired but can someone tell me if it would possible that I would have enough energy to do the Sydney Harbor bridge climb later in the evening to be able to see the sun setting.
I am in my early 50's so would I be able to handle it. Is it scarry because I don't like heights. How hard of a climb is it and is it just for the younger set.
Anyone that has done it could you please explain exactly what it entails to see if it would possible for me and DH to sign up for it. Would it be chilly also in November. Thanks.

Wow, are you kidding me? You are doing the Blue Mountains, Featherdale Wildlife park and a harbour cruise all in one day????? And THEN you want to know if you would be too tired to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge....... and all this after flying 13 - 14 hours. My god - are you Mr & Mrs Superman???

Ok, for a start the Blue Mountains are about 2 hours travelling from Sydney CBD (not peakhour) to see the Blue Mountains properly it takes more than an hour or two. It is really spectacular and very pretty and some of the villages have wonderful craft stores and lovely quaint tearooms. I presume they will be taking you to Katoomba which seems to be where all the tourists are taken. Make sure if you can to go on the train down to the bottom of the valley. Or walk to the waterfall.

I know the Wildlife park is on the way back, but I don't see you getting much time there also after spending time in the Blue Mountains. Which is a shame because you could spend a day in the park alone.

Then you are going on a harbour cruise (phew) The cheapest harbour cruise IMHO is the public ferries, leave Circular Quay, very cheap, and you can get a day pass and travel to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Milsons Point, wherever. Half the fun is finding your way around.

Then you are thinking about climbing the harbour bridge. It is tiring in itself. Well worth it but exhausting especially if you are not used to physical exercise.

How many days are you in Sydney? If you are staying for a few I would spread out a few of the excursions. Make sure you go to Taronga Zoo. Manly beach is a good place to go also and there is an Aquarium there that is worth seeing. Go to the Botanical Gardens, its free and there are some spectacular views from Lady Macquaries Chair. (on the point) Go and have a tour of the Opera House. Walk around Darling Harbour. So much to do just in Sydney. I do hope you have a few days to spend there.

Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Sorry, I don't think I answered your questions. You can sign up for the bridge climb by the internet. www.bridgeclimb.com

It will be warm in November but cooler at night (good time of the year actually to climb) and they provide climbing overalls and harnesses for the climb.

[Fabian52]

Ok I guess it is not an easy climb. Probably won't be doing that. I thought it was just alot of steps which I could probably handle.
The one day tour includes everything and all in 1 day they pick you up from your hotel at like 7:00 am. I have looked into several different companies, like Anderson and Yellowbus (something like that) and they all seem about the same and it even includes lunch.
They pick you up at 7:00 am, you go to the rocks first, then you go to the Featherdale Wildlife Park, then you go to the Blue Mountains for the optional walk to the waterfalls and the cable car, then lunch then on the way back you take the harbor ferry missing alot of rush hour traffic and they drop you close to your hotel.
There was like 4-5 companies that does all that.
Unfortunately we will only be there for 2 1/2 days before the cruise leaves so we have to make the best of our time while we are there. We have already booked our airfar.
Thanks for your input. I would prefer to go on excursions as we are not good at navigating around cities and taking buses and subways or trains of that sort.

[VROOM]

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Hi here is the link for the bridge climb site, there are also dawn climbs so you could consider doing it the morning of your departure. It is breathtaking and not to be missed, totally safe as you have to wear special overalls and are all shackled on a safety line. It is not a dodgy climb properly constucted. My Aunt and Uncle did it a couple of years ago and they are nearly 70.
Have a fabulous cruise enjoy the Blue mountains and make sure you yell out Cooee and listen for the echo.

[Fabian52]

I am very afraid of heights. I am in OK physical condition and can climb stairs but my legs get tired after a while and would not want to hold up the other climbers.
Is it like climbing regular stairs because if it is like up ladders I don't think I could handle it. My palms are already sweaty here in Florida where I live just thinking about climbing outside where I could fall.

[CruisinKiki]

The bridge climb is not that physically difficult. In our group, we had two 65-year-olds, one very physically fit, one not. We also had a 60-year-old who just had her knee replaced and has asthma. They all did just fine. Your guide lets you go at your own pace and you have to wait for the group and other groups as well so you really can't go too fast. I didn't think it was that bad for heights. One in our group was considering canceling but was very happy that she went ahead. If you have interest in it, I wouldn't miss the chance to do it! As far as jet lag, we found the jet lag terrible coming home, but were fine on the way there. We were picked up at the airport in Auckland and off on our way for a full day no problem.

[The_Big_M]

It's some ladders, but mostly stairs. The whole thing takes a few hours though as they don't speed through, plus there's time for changing, explanation of the equipment and so on. It's not that complicated but they spend a lot of time in preparation as well.

[kenish]

We went on the Discovery Climb which follows the bottom arch instead of the top arch. It focuses on the construction, engineering, and history of the bridge. At the apex they go up to the top arch for photos, the view, and to cross over to the other side.

There are a lot of stairs, some short but at a 60 degree angle. They still have treads. We didn't climb any vertical ladders on Discovery Climb. Since you're following an arch, the first stairs are steep, then they start to flatten out with the curve of the arch. When we finished the guide mentioned we had done about 1,100 stairs (don't recall the exact number). I would think that anyone in reasonable fitness can do it who does not have a serious mobility or health problem.

Keep in mind the entire tour takes 4 hours. About an hour is required for check-in, breathalyzer, suiting up, putting on gear, getting instructions on a "simulator", and radio checks. (Then changing back to street clothes after the tour and purchasing extra photos if you choose).

[Nancy53]

My husband does not want to do the bridge climb after I showed him the videos. I really don't think we can handle it after a 14 hr flight from Los Angeles and that is the only day we have left to do the climb. I think after I finished it my legs would be like rubber. I really cannot take alot of stairs and after a few of them probably would not be able to handle the rest and there I would be at the top and not able to get down.
Thanks for all your input. Plus once I am up at the top I would want to take alot of pictures and as it said in the information you are not allowed to take anything. Oh well I will just have to go under the bridge when we sail out of the harbor on our cruise. Thanks.

[kenish]

Nancy- You can also go into the Pylon. There's a museum inside and you can walk to the balcony that circles it near the top. The views are almost as good as the climb (we did both). There are still a lot of stairs, I don't recall if there was an elevator (lift). You're correct about no cameras on the climb...anything that could be dropped is a safety hazard to traffic. Everything is tethered to everything else on a leash...gloves, sunglasses, raingear, etc.

[kaseyoz]

I think the harbour cruise mentioned by the OP is not a true harbour cruise but maybe the rivercat back down the river to darling harbour (hence saying you miss the traffic)
I have read about this trip. I may be wrong though.
The pylon walk meantioned above is nearly as good as the climb and much much cheaper and easier to do plus you do not need to book.and you can take your camera there.

here is the link to the pylon lookout

http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/Visitor_frs.htm

[Fabian52]

Wow I did not know about the Pylon Lookout. I think I can handle that and I can still get some great pictures from there. Plus it is much cheaper and since we have time restraints then we could even do that on the morning of the cruise. Thanks for the information.
Yes I think you are correct about the Harbor Cruise it is probably not the entire thing but is included in the tour so we will take that.
After we arrive on Thursday the 12th of Nov. we will have the entire day to do sightseeing so what is the difference between the Harbor Cruise and the one mentioned in the Blue Mountain day tour.
The first day, the 14th I plan on just staying around the harbor anyway and hope to see the aquarium, now the Pylon lookout, the rocks. What else would we have time to do. We are staying at the Four Points Sheraton.
Thanks for all your help.

[Chester & Brewster]

Originally Posted by Fabian52

Is it like climbing regular stairs because if it is like up ladders I don't think I could handle it.

You start off walking along a walkway "under" the bridge, then go up 4 vertical ladders one after the other to get up to the top of the bridge. The actual walk over the arch was much better than I expected - it is like a huge wide shallow staircase with barriers on either side - one of which you are attached to. You cross over the middle then down the other side, followed by down another 4 ladders again. There are lots of stops for the guide to take photos of everyone in the group. Our guide was fantastic, he really made the whole experience.
I admit that I didn't particularly like the vertical ladders, but the whole experience was well worth it.
Before you go out to the bridge you get your harness fitted & have to climb up & over a mini bridge structure - I guess if you don't like that bit then you can opt out of the actual climb itself - you could email to ask if you get a refund if you don't do the actual climb I guess.

I've attached our picture from the top, the view was is spectacular. This was November, the sky is quite grey from bushfire smoke.

[Nancy53]

I don't like ladders and since I found out about the Pylon lookout we will go ahead and do that instead of the bridge climb. Thanks for all your help though in helping to decide what to do.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Enjoy your cruise Nancy53 and Fabian52 and enjoy your time in Australia. Hope the weather is kind to both of you.

[Fabian52]

To: Billy and Charlies Mum:
Can you tell me the difference in the full harbor cruise and the one that is mentioned in the Blue Mountain Tour. Would it be worth it to take the full
harbor cruise and how long does it last.
Also can you suggest anything else besides the Pylon, the aquarium, the rocks and just walking around to do the first day that we get there. We probably will be somewhat tired after our flight but want to fit as much in as possible.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[kenish]

Fabian52- We got back from SYD a few weeks ago. Many of the Blue Mts. tours let people off at a dock near the Olympics complex. You catch a fast ferry down the Paramatta River to Circ Quay. It takes about 30 minutes and they go through some pretty posh suburbs, under the Bridge, and past the Opera House at the end of the trip.

The harbor cruises are self-explanatory, but we didn't do one. Instead we took several trips on the regular ferries. The ones to Darling Harbour and to Taronga Zoo or Manly will give great views of the Harbor. Of course there's no narration but a nice SYD resident pointed out stuff to us so we got a free tourguide.

[kaseyoz]

Yes, I would also suggest a ferry to Manly instread of the harbour cruise. When you get off the ferry at Manly that is not the main beach, that is just the harbour beach. From there walk through the main corso to the ocean beach. Very easy to find.

The ferry back from Olympic park will take you through the river as Kenish said and some of the harbour and under the harbour bridge, then the Manly Ferry will take you the other side.

As Kenish mentioned if you want to know what anything is, just ask another passenger.
Most Sydneysiders love showing off our wonderful harbour.

Perhaps spend some time in Darling Harbour, there is a nice Chinese Gardens if you like that sort of thing.
The Botancial gardens are just next to the Opera House again if you like nature.

Just keep asking any questions here and some one will know.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by kaseyoz

Yes, I would also suggest a ferry to Manly instread of the harbour cruise. When you get off the ferry at Manly that is not the main beach, that is just the harbour beach. From there walk through the main corso to the ocean beach. Very easy to find.

The ferry back from Olympic park will take you through the river as Kenish said and some of the harbour and under the harbour bridge, then the Manly Ferry will take you the other side.

As Kenish mentioned if you want to know what anything is, just ask another passenger.
Most Sydneysiders love showing off our wonderful harbour.

Perhaps spend some time in Darling Harbour, there is a nice Chinese Gardens if you like that sort of thing.
The Botancial gardens are just next to the Opera House again if you like nature.

Just keep asking any questions here and some one will know.

I agree, you should if you have time, take a Manly ferry, its an experience in itself. LOL

Try Taronga Park Zoo, you can go there by ferry also. Lovely views from parts of the zoo. Relatively inexpensive too.

I haven't lived in Sydney for 20 years so I am not up on the latest re public transport - can anyone else answer - do they still have 3 day transport passes - Bus, train and ferry unlimited usage?

The botanical gardens is lovely too and the museum and art gallery if you have time. It used to be free entry but I don't know about these days.

Anything else you would like to know please ask, someone here will help you.