Sydney Harbour Bridge

The 1150 meter-long bridge spans the gap between Dawes Point on the south and Milsons Point on the north. In the early years, the only way to cross from the north to the south shore of the was to take a ferry across the water. Then in 1932, Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened and is now one of Australia's best-known landmarks.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was designed by John Bradfield and built by Dorman Long, an English company. The span is a two-hinged bridge with a steel deck hanging from the arch. The arch is hinged at the bottom of each pylon, which allows for movement in the structure and also takes the weight of the bridge. The pylon are hollow and are largely decorative.

The arch was constructed in two havles. Each half, supported by huge steel cables, is anchored into U-shaped tunnels is excavated into the sandstone rock.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened on 19 March 1932, by the New South Wales Premier, Jack Lang but only after officials had re-tied the ceremonial ribbon that had been cut by Captain Francis De Groot, who was a member of the New Guard, a group opposed to Premier Lang.

• The bridge opened on March 19, 1932.
• Span length 503 metres from pylon and its height is 134 metres.
• The bridge weights 52, 800 tonnes of which the span comprises 39,000.
• While it appears curved, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is made entirely of straight pieces of steel.
• It is painted on the inside as well as on the outside. A total of 272,000 litres of paint were used in the first three coats.
• Six million rivets were used in bridge construction the largest weighing 3.5 kilograms.
• The maximum number of workers employed on the bridge was 1654.
• The weight of the bridge is carried on just four bearing pins only 37 centimeters in diameter.
• The bearings were manufactured in England and each weighs more than 300 tonnes.
• The bridge took seven years to build from start of excavation in January 1925.

The Harbour Bridge can be explored in several ways, take a walk across from The Rocks and admire the view , join a guided day or night tour to the very top with Bridgeclim or visit the fascinating Pylon Museum and its Lookout.

Every year there is a spectacular New Year's fireworks display at the bridge and always attracted a large crowd. The Sydney Harbour Bridge New Year's fireworks are now braodcasted around the world.

Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge remains Australia's most identifiable symbol. No one stands close to the massive bearing pins or looks up at the maze of steel that makes up the arches can fail to marvel at its enormous scale and to the inventiveness of its designers and builders