Hanging at Sydney's 'hanger'
By KEVIN JONES
 Sydney,
as the whole world saw during the hugely successful Olympic
Games in September and October, has a few things going
for it.
There are the usual suspects - the harbour, which ranks among
the world's finest; the Opera
House, which ranks among the world's most oddly beautiful;
and, of course, the Harbour
Bridge, the world's biggest fireworks display staging
post.
Two spectacular conflagrations within a year - the Millennium
display and the awesome climax to the Sydney Games - have
put the Harbour Bridge firmly in people's minds the world
over.
Interest in the "Coathanger" has never been higher and now
you can do something only celebs like Paul Hogan or Harbour
Bridge workers - like Paul Hogan - got to do: walk the bridge
and take in the million-dollar views.
Don't be surprised if this becomes Sydney's biggest tourist
attraction. A Bridge climb gives unparalleled views of all
the city's natural and man-made icons - the Opera
House, harbour, Centre Point, Darling
Harbour, Luna
Park, Taronga
Park Zoo, the Heads and so on.
It will take you three hours to get to the top and back,
so you will need a good head for heights and a bit of fitness
behind you. Be prepared for a fair bit of wind too - you will,
after all, be 134 metres (almost 420ft) above sea level.
You can climb day or night and there are regular departures
but you're advised to book because this is really taking off.
BridgeClimb is the name of the company that runs the climbs.
It is quick to point out to the possibly squeamish that
safety is its big priority. Once checked in, climbers are
thoroughly briefed by BridgeClimb staff and then are each
provided with a special "Bridge Suit" worn over their clothes,
a harness and, lastly, communication equipment. You are then
prepared for what's to follow on a climb simulator.
Assuming you have the right stuff, you are then attached
to a static line for the duration of the climb as you follow
a professionally trained climb leader on your trip. He or
she will be equipped with digital photographic gear to capture
the moments for you.
An excellent website, bridgeclimb.com,
will basically tell you everything you ever wanted to know
about one of the modern wonders of the world.
Only a handful of bridges the world over are in the same
league. San Francisco's Golden Gate, London's Tower Bridge
and New York's Brooklyn Bridge spring to mind. Also, if you
are after a good choice of accommodation in the greater Sydney
area, click
here.
Did you know, for example, that the Coathanger is the world's
largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge. It's over a kilometre
long (including approaches) and its deck is 49 metres wide.
It allows 49 metres of clearance for shipping and if you often
wondered just how much steel was used in building it, how
does 52,800 tonnes sound?
Check out BridgeClimb for a memorable adventure next time
you're in Sydney and check out their website before you go
to whet your appetite!
Sydney
Accommodation
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