Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Museum and Lookout

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout & Museum is a great place to visit, not just for the history and engineering, but for the spectacular views from the summit.

Access to the Pylon is via the pedestrian pathway on the eastern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We walked from Circular Quay which only took 15 minutes. Tickets can be bought on the day or online.

Reaching the Lookout, which stands 87 metres above the harbour means climbing 200 steps. However, these are spread out over three levels, so you don’t need to do them all in one go. At each level there are exhibits detailing the bridge’s conception, construction, and the stories of the people who built it. Highlights include original artifacts, historical photographs, and video footage of the bridge’s opening ceremony. The museum also honours the 16 workers who lost their lives during the bridge’s construction.

At the summit, the open-air observation deck provides 360-degree panoramic views of Sydney, including the Opera House, Circular Quay, and the Blue Mountains on clear days. A glass viewfinder helps you identify various landmarks across the city.

If you want to see some fantastic views of Sydney, the harbour and bridge, but don’t want to do the bridge climb, this is an excellent and far cheaper alternative.