How to plan a bucket-list city break to Sydney – with a spectacular climb over the Harbour Bridge

More than a thousand steps into my Sydney Harbour bridge climb, I think to myself how many photos I would usually have racked up on my phone so far.

But, because of very necessary health and safety measures, my mobile is safely stored away in a locker far below so I am really living in the moment on this two-hour experience, taking in the views with my eyes rather than through a camera lens, as the world-famous harbour stretches out below us.

Aside from skydiving, which is far too daredevil for me, BridgeClimb Sydney is probably one of the few tourist-style life experiences which remains free from the shackles of modern-day habits to capture absolutely everything on our cameraphones.

Yes, we get the ‘money shots’ to post on social media later, but they’re limited to a few stopping points with the best views on the bridge and it’s our guide who works her camera.

One step at a time

Standing at the top – 134m (440ft) above sea level – with the wind blowing around us, I look down towards the striking sight of the cream-coloured sails of the Opera House.

This is said to be the most-climbed bridge in the world, but for me it’s a first and probably once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While the idea of taking the 1,332 steps to the summit is a little daunting, it turns out to be more of a walk than a climb, sloping gently upwards along the curved arch to reach the midpoint of the majestic steel structure.

Our twilight climb means we ascend with a blue sky overhead as the water glistens below, enjoy a beautiful sunset and descend amid the bright lights and city buzz of the evening.

An instruction session beforehand, complete with a practice ladder climb in our safety harnesses, reassures even the most nervous of climbers in our group.

Yes, there are moments where we look down to see what look from this height like toy cars whizzing by on the road far below or nothing but a vast expanse of water calmly rippling along – but I figure if Oprah and the Duke of Sussex can do it, it must be pretty safe.

Radios are provided so we can hear our guide clearly as she shares some facts about the bridge alongside nuggets of history of the wider area while we make the journey up and down again at a leisurely pace.

BridgeClimb (bridgeclimb.com) is from around AUS$325 (£173) depending on the package, including one group picture.

Harbour life

Enjoying a morning cuppa at the Opera Bar in the shadow of the wondrous Sydney Opera House, we look across to see ant-like figures in the distance on the bridge enjoying the climb we did just 24 hours earlier. From either spot, it’s a remarkable view.

Having meandered through the city’s Botanic Gardens to take in the colourful flowers and happen upon a giant Aussie spider spinning its web among the foliage, we’ve perched ourselves on the outdoor seats dotted alongside the Opera House.

Famed as an almost unrivalled location to ring in the New Year watching the fireworks on the bridge, we enjoy the relative calm and soak up the sun in this usually busy tourist hotspot on a quiet Monday.

It’s a perfect opportunity to simply marvel at the architecture of the 50-year-old building, gazing out as the green and yellow ferries traverse the water – some taking tourists to Taronga Zoo, others bringing commuters from Manly into the city for work.

The public ferries are regular, reliable and reasonably priced, but we’ve gone for a private cruise on a small boat to enjoy a more personalised trip on the water.

Unsurprisingly, houses along the harbour are sought-after, and our captain indulges us with a sail around Point Piper, one of the most expensive areas of the city.

From billionaire Lachlan Murdoch’s former home complete with a great glass elevator, to the private jetty entrances outside many of the mansions, we sip bubbles and joke about how the other half live (and yes, my phone was back out in force to capture a few more sunset pics).

Sydney Harbour Boat Tours offer 10-passenger 90-minute private twilight cruises from AUS$1,480 (£790) with champagne (sydneyharbourboattours.com). 

Beach stay

No Sydney stay would be complete without some beach time. Bondi might be the best-known, but Coogee is our base and the newly refurbished oceanfront Intercontinental hotel does not disappoint.

It’s around a 20-minute drive from the harbour and looks out onto one of the city’s eastern suburbs beaches. I fall asleep to the sound of waves gently crashing at night and emerge onto the balcony for beach views and fresh sea air each morning.

I’m not generally an early riser, but some mild jet lag has me up before my alarm on the first few mornings of my trip and I can see the appeal as I observe – mug of tea in-hand – from my balcony all the walkers, joggers and surfers who have started their days at sunrise.  

After breakfast – avocado on toast obviously and yes, it does taste better here – I take the well-trodden Coogee to Bronte coastal walk to blow away the cobwebs.

At one point I feel a light and refreshing misty spray of the waves despite there being huge rocks between me and the water. It’s an easy, fairly flat-pathed walk, with stunning views of the rocky coastline and small beachy inlets for our hour-long stroll.

If visiting Bondi, the area’s wellness spa experience is also worth a try, Bondi Soak – around a five-minute taxi ride away from the beach – has packages starting at AUS$59.95 (£32).

While we relax in the magnesium-rich mineral pools, a singer serenades us and we break up the few steps between the pool and sauna with a refreshing herbal tea and one of the healthy snack bars on offer.

Double rooms including breakfast at Intercontinental Sydney Coogee Beach are from around AUS$500 (£266) per night (coogeebeach.intercontinental.com).

A fishy feast

As a non-seafood eater, a fish market might not have been on my usual holiday itinerary. However, Sydney’s fish market opened at the beginning of 2026 and just a few months later made Time’s list of the World’s Greatest Places, so I gave it a visit.

This modern development is one of the largest seafood markets in the Southern Hemisphere and visitors can even watch the auction – when some 55 tonnes of seafood are sold off each day, from 6am.

With a waterfront promenade overlooking Anzac bridge and plenty of restaurants both in and outdoors, it’s a great spot for people- – as well as fish- – watching.

From mud crabs to a giant yellowfin tuna, it’s all on show. We enjoy an outdoor feast, with my friends waxing lyrical about the fresh seafood on offer while I nibble on tasty chips and salad.

A pre-booked two-hour guided tour (including the auction) is AUS$82 (£45) visit: sydneyfishmarket.com.au.