Along with the Harbour and Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic image of Sydney, and indeed of Australia.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore.
The bridge was competed in March 1932 and is the sixth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and also the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (440ft) from the top to water level. And until 2012 when the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was complete, it held the title of the worlds widest long-span bridge at 48.8 metres (160ft)
We lived and worked in Sydney back in 2011- 2012 and armed with adventure and what was good quality cameras at the time, we loved exploring the city and the Harbour Bridge, whilst our photo quality has improved since then, we did manage to take, what we regard as our most amazing image (it is the last picture on this post)
Below you will see what we think are the ‘Best photo opportunities of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’
Walking On the bridge
You can walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, just enter from The Rocks at Cumberland Street
Climbing the bridge
You can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with ‘Bridge Climb, Sydney’, you are given a briefing before taking to the structure and heading across the top of the bridge leaded by a guide. Prices start from $303. Note that you are not allowed your own camera but will get your photographs taken during the climb by your guide.
Opera Bar
Located in Circular Quay, the Opera Bar is located at the Sydney Opera House, sit and look across the water at the Bridge
North Sydney
You are more likely to be in the CBD but take a trip across to North Sydney and go to Blues Point Reserve where you can look across the harbour, also capturing the Sydney Opera House in the same shot as the Bridge
Harbour Cruise
You can take to the water on a Harbour Cruise, either a party boat or a relaxing dining experience, you will sail around the harbour, and then be sure to look up as you sail under the Bridge. Prices around $99
Hop On Hop Off Ferry
A cheaper option on the water is to do the hop on hop off ferry costing from just $49 here you will sail away from the Bridge and get great photo opportunities as you do so. The pass is inclusive of 2 days and stops at Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Manly, Watsons Bay, Luna Park and more
Jet Boat
A faster paced thing to do on the water if you can hold your camera steady (recommend using GoPro or other waterproof camera) is to take the Thunder Jet Boat out on the harbour, spinning 180 degrees you will be in for an adrenaline rush and even have time to look around at your surroundings. Jet Boat is priced from $69
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Located within the Royal Botanical Gardens, head to the tip of the land for spectacular views across the harbour, with the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge directly in front of you. This is a photo opportunity not to be missed! And it is free, and at your leisure
The Rocks
From The Rocks you can wander down the roads of yesteryear with old style houses in a row on Lower Fort Street, which will lead you straight out to the base of the Bridge. Here you can capture a different perspective of the Bridge, and indeed of the city
Dawes Point Park
Also, in The Rocks, is Dawes Point Park, it seems a little unknown, you will leave The Rocks behind as you climb up the hill of the park, from here you get unparalleled views of the city landscape and the Bridge, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the views, while setting your camera up on a timer
Circular Quay
Back in the thick of it is Circular Quay, wander around at water level taking in the atmosphere and the Bridge which will by now be looming above you in all its glory
• Dudley Page Reserve
Not even the locals seem to know of this... far out of the city you can come to Dudley Page Reserve and be treated to panoramic views all across the city. The hop on hop off bus will drive this way.
Taking transport across the Bridge
As mentioned, the bridge can be accessed as a pedestrian, on bicycle or you can drive across, this is when the passenger in the vehicle can be adventurous and get action shots as you approach the large steel frame and then whiz underneath. Taking the train between Milsons Point and Wynyard stations you can travel across the bridge by rail. Yes, it will be fast, but you can end up with some quirky images
• Staying at Sydney Harbour YHA The Rocks
There is many great places to stay in Sydney, you can go all out and stay in one of the 5 star hotels along Circular Quay but an option not to be laughed at, is staying at the Sydney Harbour YHA- The Rocks, a hostel, which boasts a roof top terrace! Prices from $41 pn. This would be a great setting for setting up a time lapse
• Helicopter
And lastly, one we never done, and yes maybe wish we had, and that was to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the sky, by taking a helicopter trip around Sydney… Ahh well… maybe next time! (Priced from $220pp)
Prices correct as of August 2018
Why is this our favourite ever photo and why you make ask, has it anything to do with the Sydney Harbour Bridge if it is just the Sydney Opera House? Well look carefully and you will see that we managed to capture the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as it reflected on the Opera House...
Have you been to Sydney and taken incredible images of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? We would love to see them… copy the link to your Instagram post and we will check them out!
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