Last updated: April 23, 2021
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is widely considered Sydney’s most iconic landmark. A visit to Sydney is not complete without seeing or walking across the Harbour Bridge.
There are many ways to get up close and personal with Sydney’s famous bridge, but perhaps the best way is by visiting the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout.
This not-so-well-known Sydney tourist attraction not only offers fantastic Harbour and city views, it is also home to a fun and educational museum.
| Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout | |
|---|---|
| General Admission: | $19 |
| Concession: | $12.50 |
| Opening Times: | 10am to 5pm (7 days a week) |
| Height: | 87m above sea level (200 steps) |
| More Information: | Official website |
How to Get to the Pylon Lookout
The Pylon Lookout is very easy to find, but surprisingly, it’s one of the most underrated tourist attractions in Sydney. You’d be surprised how many local Sydney-siders have never actually been to this lookout and museum.
The lookout is located in the pylon on the south-eastern side of the Harbour Bridge. Simply follow the pedestrian walkway on the bridge and look out for the entrance sign and door.
The entrance may look a little uninspiring, but everyone is more than welcome, and the things you’re going to see will definitely impress you.
The walkway can be accessed via the Bridge Stairs in The Rocks (map). Check out our guide to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk for more details about this walkway.
About the Pylon Lookout
With amazing views of the city skyline and the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout is one of the best lookouts in Sydney.
Visiting the Pylon Lookout at the Harbour Bridge is a wonderful way to enjoy breathtaking views, at a fraction of the cost of the Harbour Bridge Climb (more on that further below).
But it’s not just the views that attracts visitors into the Pylon. It also holds a small museum with lots of interesting details about the history behind the bridge, and how and why it was built.
Entrance to the Pylon Lookout is on the pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Simply follow the walkway from the Bridge Stairs in The Rocks, and you will see the entrance at the first pylon.
The Pylon consists of three levels of informational exhibits and a 360 degree lookout platform at the very top.
The museum part of the Pylon Lookout is very well presented, with lots of information and photos to absorb about the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Pylon Lookout Museum
In the museum you can find out how and why the Sydney Harbour Bridge was constructed, the people behind its design and build, plus the stories and historical images of the opening celebration, including rare video footage.
It emphasizes the dangerous work that was carried out in that period, and the bravery that was required with the available tools.
Various displays explain why it took so long to realise the bridge, and the engineering challenges that such a steel arch presented.
Observation Deck
As awesome as the museum is, most people visit the Pylon Lookout for the incredible views of the city and the Sydney Harbour. Trust us, the views from the open-air observation deck do not disappoint!
The indoor viewing area in the middle provides interesting facts about the bridge, such as how many rivets were used to make the bridge, how much did the bridge cost, how much paint was used to paint the entire bridge, and so much more.
Overall, a visit to the Pylon Lookout is absolutely worth your time and money. This top Sydney tourist attraction is enjoyable as well as educational, for both adults and children.
Next Level: Climb the Harbour Bridge
While we rate the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout highly, climbing the bridge is an even more intense thing to do.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a truly once in a lifetime experience, walking over the bridge’s arch all the way to the highest point, with views that are absolutely phenomenal.
Climbing the bridge certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s one of those things that you will remember for the rest of your life, which makes it worth the investment. Even better, do it together with your partner as a romantic date, it’s a guaranteed success!
Are you ready to climb 134 metres above sea level and enjoy amazing 360 degree views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world?
There are different ways to do the Harbour Bridge Climb, and we’re quickly going through them below.
1. Daytime Climb
The daytime climb is the original Harbour Bridge Climb experience, bringing you to the summit of the bridge. After enjoying the superb views from the summit, you then cross the bridge to the Darling Harbour side and descend back to base from there.
The good thing about this 3.5 hours long adventure is that you get to enjoy views from both sides of the bridge, which means you can see the whole of Sydney from a birds-eye perspective.
2. Twilight Climb
Slightly more expensive than then the Daytime Climb, the Twilight Climb departs as the day closes.
This climb is essentially the same as the Daytime version, but you will get to enjoy a double unique experience, as you soak up the day’s sunset while being on top of the bridge.
3. Night Climb
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Night Climb departs after the sun has set, introducing the bright lights of the city under a blanket of darkness.
This climb is slightly more affordable and shorter than the Daytime version, but it’s done at night time which makes it a different unique experience.
4. Express Climb
The Express Climb also goes to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but it takes a bit of a shortcut so you’ll get there faster.
It’s essentially the same summit experience, just a bit quicker, which makes the Express Climb suitable for those that are on a tighter time schedule.
5. Sampler Climb
A bit worried about going all the way to the top?
At a much more affordable price, the Sampler Bridge Climb allows you to get a good taste of the climb experience without going all the way up. In just 1.5 hours, you will ascend the inner arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to a spectacular vantage point located halfway to the top.
This is the perfect Bridge Climb option for those who are a bit afraid of going all the way to the summit, but still want to enjoy mind blowing views of Sydney.
