Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Sydney harbour bridge

Anyone climbed this bridge? Just looked online (http://www.bridgeclimb.com/booktickets_frs.htm) and found they want AUS$160+ to climb their bridge! What kind of highway robbery is that to charge that much to climb a bridge? Does anyone have any coupons for this bridge because I really want to see the view from the top, but I don't want to pay AUS$160 or more for the privilege.

Thanks

Yes it is quite a lot but well worth it IMHO. Great, different, perspective on the city and harbour.

All up it takes around 3 hours of which maybe 2 hours on the bridge itself.

IIRC it may be cheaper in off-season and certain times of day when quieter.

Something to watch for though is they dont allow you to take own cameras (danger of falling onto traffic). They take plenty of pics but is a bit pricey.

Yes the costs are high, but when you take into consideration the high insurance they have to pay..plus other overheads, it's easy to understand why.

I haven't done it myself, but that's due to a spinal injury..not costs. My husband has done both the day climb and night climb and had a great time on both.

If you want a cheaper, but nowhere near as exciting option, try climbing the pylon.

Phoebe

In all honesty I probably will pay those outrageous prices to climb the bridge, but still seems a bit overpriced.

Any idea how much they charge for photos? I see on their website that they give you one complimentary photo, but no mention of how much additional photos are.

Its been a couple of years but IIRC there are various sizes and prices started at AU$10 for small photo.

[QUOTE=BeCarlson]In all honesty I probably will pay those outrageous prices to climb the bridge, but still seems a bit overpriced.




I refuse to pay their outrageous prices! Bridgeclimb have a monopoloy, so my answer is that the authorities allow a competitor - in the interest of the consumer. Business would more than double and everybody would benefit.

They'd have to pay me A$160 to get me to even consider climbing this or any bridge. Heck, I can't even drive across a bridge with the windows down, I am so afraid of heights.

We plan on climbing it when we take our trip in March. In fact, it is one of our only "must do's" for Sydney.

If you're so inclined, and want a view of the Harbour from an elevated position, you can take a seaplane tour for less $$ and much less effort... http://www.seaplanes.com.au/

Just returned the other day from a 3 week trip and one of the first things we did was climb the bridge. A lot of money but I'd have to say it was worth it. Very professionally done as well. Heck, my wife has trouble climbing escalators let alone the 300' tall Harbour Bridge and she was fine because of all of the pre-climb orientation they do. It looks a lot more scary than it is.

I've spoken to 100s of folks that have done the climb, many of them FT'ers.

All loved it. Not one compained about the value.

The walk is booked for 6 months out at times, so there is your answer. ;)

The walk is booked for 6 months out at times, so there is your answer. ;)


How far in advance do you think we need to book for a twilight climb in mid March? On one hand, we definitely know we want to do the climb, so why not book, but on the other, I am not sure which day we will want to do it or what the weather will be like. Does weather even need to be a consideration?

How far in advance do you think we need to book for a twilight climb in mid March? On one hand, we definitely know we want to do the climb, so why not book, but on the other, I am not sure which day we will want to do it or what the weather will be like. Does weather even need to be a consideration?


In Mid-March the sun sets at about 07:15 PM in Sydney. I've never climbed the Harbour Bridge, but my family has a few times. They prefer the view in late afternoon because the sun is behind them and provides a great view reflecting off the Opera House and illuminating Sydney Harbour without having to look into the sun's direction.

It's not FT IMHO but fodors.com has a decent amount of people who have discussed this. Many say to wait until the day or day before so as to get optimal weather. Of course if they're sold out ...

I've spoken to 100s of folks that have done the climb, many of them FT'ers.

All loved it. Not one compained about the value.

The walk is booked for 6 months out at times, so there is your answer. ;)

Oz,

That's highly variable. Weekends around holiday periods, I'd agree, based on what I've seen from their website. My wife and I did it on the 9th of December around noon. We called to get tickets around 3:00pm on the 8th. When we arrived at the site, they still had day-of admissions available as well.

9th was a great day to do it - just some light fluffy clouds, a nice breeze up top to make it feel a bit cooler than upper-20s, and as we were on top, we got to see an auto super-carrier clear the Harbour Bridge. (apparently, there was a cruise ship that sailed out of Darling Harbour the evening before as well, so those climbers got a bonus show...)

A$160 is a little on the high side to me, but it certainly wouldn't fall in the realm of exorbitant. We were on the honeymoon, so I figured we could splurge a little :)

cheers,
Ben (back home in the US now...)

I've climbed it twice: once during the day and the other at twilight. Both were amazing experiences.

If it is your first climb, try to book a day climb; you'll see so much more.

Yes - some of the slots can be pricey, but you can thank supply-and-demand for that. Sometimes, those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities cost more. It's well worth the money.

two years ago. I made my reservation ~2 weeks in advance. If I remember, it was fairly busy at the time, since we had to go first thing in the morning. It was a little chilly at the time, but well worth the early time. Have fun.

Swimmin' M

Most I have spoken to prefer the twilight climbs, which of course cost a lot more at $A225:

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbrates.htm

For next few weeks ALL rates are higher as this is peak holiday season.

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbrates_peak.htm

Most I have spoken to prefer the twilight climbs, which of course cost a lot more at $A225:

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbrates.htm

For next few weeks ALL rates are higher as this is peak holiday season.

http://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbrates_peak.htm

It is worth almost any amount.
The climb was fabulous at sunset.
Looking over Darling Harbour and the Opera House were priceless.
Will do it again when I return next summer.

I was worried that a lack of physical fitness would make it very unpleasant to climb the bridge - but I was pleasantly surprised, the climb was not that strenuous at all - heck, they had photos of 100+ year olds doing it ... so there's really no excuse is there !

I agree with what's already been said ... I have not met anyone yet who did not enjoy the Bridge Climb ... it's a must do.

or the other option is doing what Mrs Dino and I are doing, take a helicopter flight!!!! 30 mins with far better views for $250 and as many photos and video as you like :)

I got some amazing video of our flight over Auckland in a helicopter, so cant wait for our flight over the harbour bridge

Dino

In all honesty I probably will pay those outrageous prices to climb the bridge, but still seems a bit overpriced.

Any idea how much they charge for photos? I see on their website that they give you one complimentary photo, but no mention of how much additional photos are.

Supply and demand.

You dont like the price but are willing to pay it and the bridge climb is booked out months in advance.
Why would they charge less?
As pointed out the insurance is outrageous and they give you suits to wear which have to be drycleaned and they have lots of staff and they are only allowed a certain number of people per day.

Would you prefer no orientation and letting any idiot climb and throw themself onto traffic?
I think it is great that they are so careful with peoples lives!

[QUOTE=aussielori]Supply and demand.
QUOTE]

Or a Monopoly , if there is no competition they can charge what they like!

How would you feel if there was only one mobile phone company in Australia, with no competition they could charge what they like, would you be happy at that?? of course not

As pointed out in my post Helicopters can be cheaper than the bridge climb with unlimited photos and video.

And why are the helicopter flights cheaper than the bridge climb? because there is more than one company doing it so they have to compete with each other and that means lower prices for the customer.

Helicopters have insurance
Helicopters have to have liability insurance
Helicopters have maintanance
helicopters have fuel cost
helicopters have a pilot to pay
Helicopters pay to land
helicopter needs storage at night

So dont any one say the bridge climbers have costs, they would be nothing compared to a helicopter outfit, 190 AUD to fly and too see more. with a lot more costs, so can some one tell me how the bridge climb outfit are not just plain greedy?

In terms of costs, I heard that BridgeClimb pay a huge fee to the City of Sydney for the access to the bridge. From what I understand, the harbor bridge has really high maintenance costs. I guess BridgeClimb has to pay its share of the bill, hence the hefty fees.

Plus, I think that the insurance premium for them is much higher than for helicopter operators.

Personally, I think the cost is on the steep side, but no worse than the $300+ for a helicopter ride over Kaua'i.

its $5 cheaper to fly over the harbour in a helicopter Per person than bridge climb and you can take as many photos as you like and also some video, pictures of what I want to remember not a picture of what some one else wants me to remember, and pay a premium for other pictures, for some one with a choice of the two there is no competition, up, up and away :)

I used to think helicopters would be very expensive but they are not, I have done 2 now and have so many good pictures and video to remind me of what I experienced, my girlfrind wanted to see the view from the top and said we should do the bridge climb, we looked in to it, saw how much a helicopter tour was and thought NO WAY.

no worse than the French though and the greedy prices for the Eiffel Tower.

Dino


In terms of costs, I heard that BridgeClimb pay a huge fee to the City of Sydney for the access to the bridge. From what I understand, the harbor bridge has really high maintenance costs. I guess BridgeClimb has to pay its share of the bill, hence the hefty fees.

Plus, I think that the insurance premium for them is much higher than for helicopter operators.

Personally, I think the cost is on the steep side, but no worse than the $300+ for a helicopter ride over Kaua'i.

I used to think helicopters would be very expensive but they are not, I have done 2 now and have so many good pictures and video to remind me of what I experienced, my girlfrind wanted to see the view from the top and said we should do the bridge climb, we looked in to it, saw how much a helicopter tour was and thought NO WAY. Dino


What helocoptor company do you use? Any particuliar one or are they all the same?

What helocoptor company do you use? Any particuliar one or are they all the same?


its going to be one of these for Sydney

http://www.blueskyhelicopters.com/index.shtml
http://www.sydneyhelicopters.com.au/


And I used this company in Auckland they even have a cd player in the helicopter thats piped into the headsets just brilliant, my advice take the 30 min flight out to the Volcanos, the pilot is really chatty and gives a brilliant run down on where you are and whats going on, 10 out of 10 :)
http://www.helilink.co.nz/

Its defintely best to do it at sunset. It is truly a beautiful experience. Its not really that scary or physically draining as one would imagine. Its very well organizes. Try to stay near the front close to the guide so you can hear what they are saying.

I climbed the bridge in April (wedding present). We went up at around 3:30pm and it was perfect - late afternoon and just as we were climbing down the approaches the sun was setting (6pm ish). We booked 1 week in advance.

I'm not sure how much my brother-in-law paid, but we got a gift certificate which included $40 worth of photos. For that, we got one big pic, and four small pics of my husband and I, and our group and a couple of knicknacks, pens and stuff to give to friends.

I wouldn't pay $160 personally, but it was a fabulous gift and we really enjoyed the climb even though my husband has always lived here and I've been here 5 years. Perhaps ask a friend if they wouldn't mind subsidising your climb ;-)

its going to be one of these for Sydney

http://www.blueskyhelicopters.com/index.shtml
http://www.sydneyhelicopters.com.au/


And I used this company in Auckland they even have a cd player in the helicopter thats piped into the headsets just brilliant, my advice take the 30 min flight out to the Volcanos, the pilot is really chatty and gives a brilliant run down on where you are and whats going on, 10 out of 10 :)
http://www.helilink.co.nz/


Thanks Dino! Not sure if this would replace "the climb" or not but it is nice to be able to explore all options. Will definitely check it out.