Travel

What Rare Bucket List Experience is Australia’s Quiet Claim to Fame?

29
Jun

Australia is full of ‘wait, really?’ moments. It’s famous for bucket list experiences, like snorkelling in the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef, setting eyes on Uluru for the first time with your best mate, or snapping an iconic selfie with a smiling quokkas on Rottnest Island.

But one of Australia’s most surprising bucket list experiences is a lot more exclusive than most people realise…

Did you know that Australia is home to three of only five places in the world where you can climb a bridge?

Whether you’re visiting from overseas or already call Australia home, read on to discover where you can climb bridges in Australia, and which ones you might want to tick off first.

Where can you climb bridges around the world?

Across the globe, there are only five bridge climb experiences that you can experience:

Where can you book a bridge adventure climb in Australia?

There are bridge climb experiences that you can tick off your travel bucket list in Australia, and each of them having something unique to offer. Let’s take a closer look at them below for your next road trip…

1. Sydney Harbour Bridge, New South Wales

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the most famous bridge climb in Australia, and probably the one most people picture first. The climb takes you up one of the Australia’s most recognisable landmarks, which showcases stunning views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Circular Quay and the city skyline.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge reaches 134m above the harbour and is one of the world’s most famous steel arch bridges. The Summit climb involves 1,332 steps and gives you 360-degree views across Sydney.

Several experiences are available, including Summit Insider, Ultimate, Burrawa Indigenous Climb, and UnderBridge Walk options. Different timetables are available to suit your preference, including dawn, day, twilight and night.

2. Story Bridge, Queensland

This here feels like one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets when it comes to adventure experiences… The guided climb of the Story Bridge in Brisbane takes you above the Brisbane River, with views across Kangaroo Point, the CBD and the wider city. It is less popular than Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, however with incredible views of Howard Smith Wharves, Kangaroo Cliffs and the surrounding city, it’s a must-see if you are travelling or working in Brisbane.

The Story Bridge is a heritage-listed steel bridge that was fabricated in 1940. and it takes a staggering 17,500 litres of paint to cover its 105,000 square metres of steel, which is required every 7 years.

The Story Bridge Climb reaches 80m above the Brisbane River. Climb options include day, dawn, twilight, night and ‘full moon’.

3. Matagarup Bridge, Perth, Western Australia

Matagarup Bridge in Perth is the most daring of the three. Here, you can not only climb, but zipline across the bridge. This bridge crosses the Swan River near Optus Stadium and already stands out from the ground thanks to its modern, sculptural design. The climb takes you up into the structure for views across the river, stadium precinct and Perth skyline. You then have the option to switch into full adrenaline mode by adding on a zipline experience over the Swan River.

Matagarup Bridge stretches around 370m across the Swan River, with the climb reaching a 72m Sky View platform. The bridge’s unique design represents two flying swans.

The climb includes 314 steps to the Sky View platform, and the zipline option runs for 400m. Options include Bridge Climb, Express Zip, Zip+Climb, private groups and gift experiences. The Zip+Climb includes the bridge climb plus a zipline over the Swan River.

Book in a zipline or climb experience at Matagarup Bridge:

Would you climb all three?

Australia has plenty of bucket list experiences, but bridge climbs might be one of the most unexpected. They are rare globally, surprisingly easy to access here, and spread across three of our cities – Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

So, what do you think? Would you conquer all three?

If you are a nurse or midwife, your next contract could be the perfect excuse. A high-paying travel contract in one of these great locations could put one of these climbs right on your doorstep… or, if you’re feeling ambitious, you could start planning your way around all three while getting paid to do work that matters.

Affinity Nursing is proud to offer: 

  • Contract opportunities across all states and territories of Australia
  • The opportunity to be paid to work in iconic destinations
  • Competitive contract packages
  • A smooth onboarding and paperwork process
  • A dedicated team with you every step of the way

Join our community to start planning where your career could take you next..  

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FAQs about bridge climb experiences in Australia

There are five (legal) bridge experiences that are commonly highlighted across the globe, which are located in Australia, New Zealand and Portugal.  

Yes. You can climb three major bridges in Australia: the Sydney Harbour Bridge in New South Wales, the Story Bridge in Brisbane, and the Matagarup Bridge in Perth. 

No. Bridge climb experiences are also commonly highlighted in New Zealand and Portugal. However, Australia has three of the five major bridge climbs often listed around the world, making it the standout country for this rare experience. 

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should have a reasonable level of mobility and be comfortable with stairs, heights and being on your feet. Requirements vary by operator and climb type. 

Bridge climbs are guided experiences with trained professionals that use safety equipment and harnesses. Each operator has its own safety rules and participant requirements, so it is important to check these before booking. 

Bridge climbing experiences are so rare because most bridges are built for transport, not tourism. Converting a working bridge into a tourism opportunity requires strict safety systems, harness equipment, trained guides, weather planning and access routes that do not interfere with the bridge’s normal use. 

That is why many famous bridges can be walked across, but only a small number offer guided experiences like that of the ones in Australia, New Zealand and Portugal.