No visit to Sydney is complete without experiencing the Sydney Harbour Bridge — and what better way than to walk across it! When you walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge you’ll get to see the bridge up close while enjoying sweeping views across the harbour.
| Distance: | 1.6km (or 3.2km return) |
| Start: | Cumberland St, The Rocks |
| End: | Broughton St, Kirribilli |
| Public Transport: | Light rail, ferry, and train at Circular Quay Ferry and train at Milsons Point |
| Drinking Water: | Broughton St near Milsons Point Train Station Circular Quay near the MCA |
| Toilets: | George St, Dawes Point Circular Quay near Train Station Olympic Drive at Bradfield Park, Milsons Point |
| Top Tip: | Do this walk at sunrise or sunset for extra special views! |
The Sydney Harbour Bridge walk is a 1.6km paved public walkway across the bridge between The Rocks and Kirribilli.
It takes around 30 minutes to complete the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk. But you might want to add a bit of time to that estimate for stopping to enjoy the view!
Both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk are easily accessed by public transport via Milson Point on the northern side of the bridge and Circular Quay on the southern side of the bridge.
You can walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge any time of the day but to experience the best views head across at either sunrise or sunset. Witnessing the sky change colour over Sydney Harbour is an unforgettable experience.
In this guide you’ll learn how to get to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, where to find drinking water and public toilets, the best highlights to keep an eye out for, local tips about where to celebrate your walk, plus facts about the history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
How to get to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
Public Transport
Planning on doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk? The good news is that it’s really easy to get to the Sydney Harbour Bridge via public transport.
On the southern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is Circular Quay. You can travel from various parts of Sydney to Circular Quay via train, lightrail, and ferry. From Circular Quay it’s an 8 minute walk through The Rocks to Cumberland Street where you can take either the stairs or lift up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian walkway.
On the northern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is Kirribilli and Milsons Point. You can travel to Milsons point by train, bus, or ferry. From any of these Milsons Point public transport options, it’s just a few minutes walk to Broughton Street where you can take either the stairs or life up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge walkway.
Driving
Driving can prove a little more of a challenge in Sydney city and harbourside suburbs due to both traffic and availability of parking. If you’d like to drive to the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk, there are some paid parking options and you can search here to find the best car park for you.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk Map
How to Walk Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a fun and free way to experience this Sydney icon up close.
Each year, people come from all over the world to witness the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen from so many incredible vantage points including the must-do Mrs Macquaries Point in the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as from various points on the north side of the harbour including Kirribilli, Cremorne, and Bradley’s Head.
But doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk offers a new perspective on this popular Sydney attraction.
Let’s take a look at how you can walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge:
Pick your starting point
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk is between Circular Quay and The Rocks on the southern side of the bridge and Milsons Point and Kirribilli on the northern side of the bridge.
Both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk are well-served by public transport. This means you can start and end your walk wherever you would like. You can walk across the bridge and back, or if you would prefer, you can walk one-way across the bridge and take a train or ferry back to where you started.
The two access points for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk are:
- Cumberland Street in The Rocks: 8 minutes walk from Circular Quay train station, light rail stop, and ferry wharf.
- Broughton Street in Kirribilli: 1 minute walk from Milsons Point train station or 10 minutes walk from Milsons Point ferry wharf.
Both Cumberland St and Broughton St have lift and stair access from street level to the pedestrian walkway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Enjoy the view
As you begin your walk along the pedestrian walkway from the stairs, you’ll see the towering granite pylons ahead of you, and the steel arch rising high above the harbour. To your side you’ll get a sweeping view out across Sydney Harbour.
While mesh fences enclose the walk for safety purposes, there is a small gap through which you can get an unobstructed view and take some photos as mementos of your experience walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
From the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk you’ll enjoy views of The Rocks, Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, Fort Denison, and Kirribilli.
Celebrate your walk
You made it! Here’s a few ways you can celebrate your walk across the bridge if you are ending your walk in Milsons Point:
- Picnic in Mary Booth Lookout Reserve in Kirribilli
- Ride the ferris wheel at Luna Park
- Enjoy a drink at the Kirribilli Club
- Wander through Wendy’s Secret Garden
If you’re ending your Sydney Harbour Bridge walk in The Rocks, here’s a few ideas for celebrating your walk:
- Enjoy a drink on the rooftop of The Glenmore or the Harbour View
- Visit the Museum of Contemporary Arts and have bite at the rooftop cafe
- Picnic at Observatory Hill Park
- Walk around to Barangaroo or the Royal Botanic Garden
And if your walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge made you want to explore more of Sydney, take a look at the Bondi to Manly walk. Pick a section or walk the entire distance to enjoy more of Sydney Harbour and the epic coastline between two of Sydney’s most famous beaches.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk Highlights
Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge gives you a unique vantage point from which to view some of Sydney’s best attractions.
You’ll also find some great Sydney attractions on either side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk at The Rocks on the bridge’s southern side and Milsons Point on the bridge’s northern side.
The Rocks
Access to the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk is through The Rocks, an historic Sydney precinct located alongside Circular Quay.
In the 1970s, parts of The Rocks was almost lost to redevelopment and high-rise buildings, but thanks to the efforts of the local community and unionist Jack Mundey, the area was protected.
Today, both locals and visitors to Sydney get to enjoy time spent among the stone laneways, old pubs, and historic buildings of The Rocks thanks to this foresight.
Sydney Opera House
From the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk you’ll get a magnificent view of the iconic Sydney Opera House, set on a point where the harbour meets Sydney city.
This view of the Sydney Opera House from the bridge’s pedestrian walkway is particularly special at sunrise and sunset.
Sydney Harbour
Watch as the ferries come and go from Circular Quay, and enjoy a sweeping view across Sydney Harbour from your elevated position on the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s pedestrian walkway.
Kirribilli
Kirribilli on the northside of Sydney Harbour is home to the Australian Prime Minister’s official Sydney residence. And when you see Kirribilli from your vantage point on the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s pedestrian walkway you’ll understand why this place was chosen for the leader’s Sydney abode.
Milsons Point
Milsons Point, alongside Kirribilli on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is home to a number of Sydney attractions including Luna Park and North Sydney Olympic Pool with its up-close views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the swimming lanes.
Milsons Point is also close to Wendy’s Secret Garden, which you’ll find tucked away in Lavender Bay. If you’re looking to extend your walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, walking along the harbour from Milsons Point to Wendy’s Secret Garden is a great option. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.
When you’re done exploring Milsons Point, you can walk back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the city, or take the ferry from the wharf outside of Luna Park.
Facilities
Drinking Water
Drinking water is available near the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk at the following locations:
- Broughton St near Milsons Point Train Station
- Circular Quay near the MCA
Toilets
Public toilets are available near the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk at the following locations:
- George St, Dawes Point
- Circular Quay near Train Station
- Olympic Drive at Bradfield Park, Milsons Point
Sydney Harbour Bridge History
The view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic image of Australia. And it’s also a major transport precinct for Sydney.
The bridge links Sydney CBD with the suburbs on the north shore and northern beaches, meaning it sees a lot of people travelling across it each day.
Some people travelling across the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk like we’ve discussed in this guide, while others ride bikes, take the train or bus, or drive in cars.
If you’re keen to learn a little more about the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll enjoy the Sydney Harbour Bridge facts below.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Facts
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932.
- Construction began on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1920s.
- Plans to build a bridge over Sydney Harbour were delayed more than once, including in 1903 due to cost, and then later by the First World War.
- More than 1600 workers were involved in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sadly, 16 men died during construction.
- Around 800 buildings were demolished, including many homes, so that the Sydney Harbour Bridge could be built.
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge was built with more than 52,800 tonnes of steel, some of which was sourced from BHP in Newcastle.
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s pylons were built with granite from Moruya on the south coast.
- Lots of people travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, according to Transport NSW:
- Each day 160,000 road vehicles and 480 trains travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Each year 1.3 million pedestrians and 400,000 bicyclists travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge includes road lanes, train tracks, a cycle way, and a pedestrian footpath. There were once tram tracks across the bridge too, but these were removed in the 1950s.
- In 2018, lifts were installed on each end of the bridge to improve accessibility between street level and the pedestrian walkway across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
It sure is! It’s free to walk across the pedestrian walkway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
There is an activity known as the ‘Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb’, where participants walk (or ‘climb’) up the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a paid attraction and you can learn more or buy tickets here.
Is the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk accessible?
There is lift access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s pedestrian walkway.
The lift on the southern end of the bridge is alongside the stair access on Cumberland Street in The Rocks. The lift on the northern end of the bridge is close by the stair access on Broughton St in Kirribilli. The lifts are in operation 24 hours a day.
What is the best time of day to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
While you can walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian way at any time of the day, the very best times to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge are at sunrise and sunset.
Walking across the Sydney Harbour bridge at sunrise or sunset gives you an opportunity to witness the beauty of Sydney Harbour bathed in beautiful golden hour light.
How long is the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk?
The walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is 1.6km and will take you approximately 30 minutes. This is the distance and approximate timing if you’re walking between the stair or lift access on Cumberland St in The Rocks and Broughton Street in Kirribilli.
Where is the start of the walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
The start of the walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge depends on whether you’re beginning your walk on the north or south side of the bridge!
If you’re beginning at the Circular Quay side, you’ll find the start of the walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Cumberland St in The Rocks.
If you’re beginning at the Milsons Point side, you’ll find the start of the walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Broughton St in Kirribilli. At both of these points you’ll find stair and lift access.
What’s the difference between the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb?
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk refers to the pedestrian walkway that runs across the bridge alongside the road lanes. Walking across the pedestrian walk way is free.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a paid tourist attraction where participants walk or ‘climb’ up and over the arch of the bridge, above road and pedestrian walkway.
Nearby Walks
Bondi to Manly Walk
If you loved walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and want to experience more of Sydney, the Bondi to Manly Walk is a fantastic option. The walk covers 80km of coastline between Bondi Beach and Manly Beach.
Depending on your fitness level and available time, you can walk Bondi to Manly in a weekend or at a more leisurely pace over a week. You might also choose to walk sections of the Bondi to Manly walk.
In fact, much of the walk consists of existing shorter walks such as the Hermitage Foreshore Walk on the south side of the bridge near Vaucluse, and the Spit to Manly walk on the north side of the bridge.