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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

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« A Bag of Dried Figs
Bits and Pieces »

Pylon Lookout, Sydney Harbour Bridge

May 25, 2015 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Last Saturday, my cousin Lynette, who is mad keen on arts and crafts, wanted to visit the Kirribilli Markets.

I met her at Milson’s Point and, after an hour or so of wandering around there, we decided to walk across the Harbour Bridge to the Rocks Markets on the other side. It was a glorious day for a stroll and I’m embarrassed to admit that despite having lived in Sydney my whole life, I’ve never walked over the Bridge before…

As we approached the city side, we passed a sign for the Pylon Lookout. I’d never heard of it before, so we decided to go up, despite the warning of “200 steps to the top”.

If you’ve ever been on a Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, you’ll know that it’s both an amazing experience and a very expensive one – prices range from $250 – $380, depending on when you go. By comparison, entry to the Pylon Lookout costs just $15 per person…

It was quite a big climb, but there were rest stops, exhibits, seating, drink fountains and a shop on the way up. It was all very civilized and doable…

These models of bridge construction workers hung in the stairwell – occupational health and safety rules were clearly less stringent in the 1930s…

When we finally reached the end of the stairs, we found a balcony circling around the top of the entire pylon, offering the most glorious, unobstructed 360 degree view of the harbour and city! I took a stack of iPhone photos to share with you.

The small format of this post doesn’t really do justice to the panoramic shot below. I’ve uploaded the larger version – please click on the photo for greater detail…

Walking around the top clockwise – we could see over to Kirribilli…

…the Sydney Opera House in all her glory…

…Circular Quay, with the ferries shuttling in and out…

…the Bradfield Highway, with cars entering and exiting the Bridge…

…the piers of Walsh Bay, now prime Sydney real estate…

…and finally, the top of the Harbour Bridge. It was amazing how high up we were!

Like mad tourists, Lynette and I both tried to take selfies with the best background in the world…

From inside the pylon, this small window offered a very unique framing to the Opera House…

These painted panels formed part of the public displays from 1948 to 1971…

This detailed exhibit provided a wealth of information about the Harbour Bridge…

On the way out, there were artefacts on display, as well as an audiovisual presentation on the construction of the Bridge…

The lookout is located on the South East Pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From the city side, it can be accessed via the pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the Bridge (use the ‘Bridge Stairs’ in Cumberland Street, The Rocks). If coming from the north side, use the steps near Milsons Point Railway Station. More information is available on the Pylon Lookout website, including this fabulous brochure with the history of the site (a family of cats used to live on the top!).

We had the most wonderful time! If you’ve ever considered a Bridge Climb but been put off by the cost (or the fear factor), then this is an excellent alternative and amazing value at just $15 per adult (kids and concession are even cheaper). The Lookout is open every day from 10am to 5pm (excluding Christmas) and has been since 1934, just two years after the Bridge was opened. Even though we were there on a Saturday, it was remarkably uncrowded.

I’m not sure why the Pylon Lookout isn’t more widely publicised (the Bridge Climb certainly is), but it feels like a bit of a Sydney secret that we stumbled onto purely by chance. And now you know too!

Edit: Prices updated 31 July 2017

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Posted in Recipes | 67 Comments

67 Responses

  1. on May 25, 2015 at 12:04 am sallybr

    One day I gotta see it all…. ;-)


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I SO hope you do! :) xxx


  2. on May 25, 2015 at 12:50 am Manuela

    Gorgeous! What a beautiful view! The harbor is amazing. Your pictures capture some of the spirit. I had no idea bridge climbs could be so expensive. If I ever come to Sydney for a visit, this will be on my itinerary. Oh my, I would have so much planned I think I would have to extend my visit! Lol!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hahaha…there’s a lot to see in Sydney! But I’ve decided this is the best place to start – it’s where I’m taking folks from now on! :)


  3. on May 25, 2015 at 1:06 am Flynthings

    Beautiful shots! I did Bridge Climb many years ago when I visited Sydney and walked to the Rocks. Brings back fond memories seeing your beautiful photos. Will definitely try the Pylon Lookout, next time I visit. Thanks for sharing.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s a heck of a lot cheaper and you’re allowed to take photos! :)


      • on May 20, 2016 at 11:43 am flynthings

        I almost tried to do this during my trip to Sydney last month, but instead ended up doing the Skywalk. I really enjoy reading your posts on Sydney. I know, I will be back again and next time maybe I will do the Pylon Lookout… and Cockatoo Island ( I didn’t read your account till I got back :()

        Cheers!
        Lakshmi


  4. on May 25, 2015 at 3:54 am narf77

    If I ever make it to Sydney (not circling over it on a plane that is ;) ) I am going to do this tour. What an amazing panorama Ms Celia, pure gorgeousness :)


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Fran, I was tempted to go the whole way around, but the photo would have just looked weird.. :)


      • on May 26, 2015 at 7:39 am narf77

        Maybe do it in quadrants next time and splice it all together in Photoshop to get a magnificent opus of a photograph :)


  5. on May 25, 2015 at 6:14 am EllaDee

    That view is so easy to fall in love with… again and again. Wonderful photos and testimony to our lovely city.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s the best place in the world to live, in my opinion! :)


  6. on May 25, 2015 at 7:07 am marilynscottwaters

    What a wonderful day! I love the pict of you guys taking selfies.
    Hugs, Maz


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      We looked like a pair of nutters. You’ll laugh – I saw one tourist there with a phone attached to a selfie stick, and I asked my cousin why he was carrying a metal detector? :)


  7. on May 25, 2015 at 8:18 am anne54

    That is fantastic!! What a beautiful city, on a beautiful day.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Anne, it really was a most glorious day!


  8. on May 25, 2015 at 8:23 am Suelle

    I didn’t know this existed – I wish we’d known about it when we visited a few years ago. It looks easier to do on the spur of the moment than the bridge climb, which I think has to be booked well in advance. Unfortunately, if we ever visit Sydney again I’ll probably be too old to attempt that many stairs!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Suelle, no bookings needed! And there’s seating at every landing and plenty to see on the way up – it’s really not too hard! :)


  9. on May 25, 2015 at 8:28 am Francesca

    That’s more than enough height for me.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Me too! I watched the group climbing the bridge from where we stood and wondered if they’d been told about the cheaper, more comfortable option. :)


  10. on May 25, 2015 at 8:29 am Carol

    Thanks for the tip – I have walked across the bridge a couple of times and must have walked straight past the entrance without knowing it was there. Your photos are wonderful and what a gorgeous day you chose to climb. I no longer live in Sydney but this is on the to do list for our next holiday with the grand children.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Great thing to do with the grandkids – no risk of anyone falling off the bridge! :D


  11. on May 25, 2015 at 9:56 am lambsearsandhoney

    Celia, that panoramic shot is truly beautiful! What a great secret to stumble across.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I wish we’d had more time Amanda, and I’d have taken you and Megan there!


  12. on May 25, 2015 at 10:59 am Rose

    What incredible autumn light!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It was a most glorious day!


  13. on May 25, 2015 at 11:01 am Madge

    Amazing.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Madge! We thought so too!


  14. on May 25, 2015 at 11:06 am Eha

    How do we: those living in Sydney and in its ‘diaspora’ ever be able to say ‘thank you’ for this info . . . ? Many of us can’t afford or feel we are not strong enough to keep pace to do ‘the Bridge Walk’ – you have given a wonderful alternative with almost the same results!! Thanks Celia !!!!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Most welcome, Eha! It’s such a nice option compared the Bridge Climb, AND you’re allowed to take photos (I don’t think they let you cart bits and pieces up the top of the bridge).


  15. on May 25, 2015 at 11:26 am Nancy |Plus Ate Six

    I’m not great with heights so just looking at these photos makes me feel a bit shakey!! I’m OK on the way up but you don’t want to be behind me on the way down. But what a glorious day you had for photos and for taking in that view.
    PS the Harbour Bridge walk is expensive!!! I had no idea it was that much.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Nancy, all the stairs are inside, so it’s no different to the fire stairs in your apartment block really. And when you get to the top, there’s a wall and a glass railing, so you never feel at risk!


  16. on May 25, 2015 at 2:10 pm Joanne T Ferguson

    Love the selfies Celia and view the Sydney Harbour Bridge always makes me smile! Love the markets and looks like you had a really fun day! Thanks for sharing!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Jo, we really did have a great time! :)


  17. on May 25, 2015 at 3:25 pm Carmen

    A wonderful post, Celia. Sometimes we have to treat ourselves as tourists to find these interesting spots. Now, this may age me, but I can remember those cats. I’m fairly that at least one of them was a Persian.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hehehe…well according to the blurb, the cats were there in the 50s, Carmen.. :)


  18. on May 25, 2015 at 5:13 pm Chica Andaluza

    Amazing – it’s such an iconic bridge and that amazing view. Am feeling a wee bit smug as 10 years agao, my bestie and I (both single ladies back then) celebrated our 40th birthdays with a round the world trip and one of the highlights for us was the bridge climb (don’t rememebr it being that expesnive, but then it was a decade ago!). Despite being nervous with heights and even more nervous that they wouldn’t find a grey boiler suit big enough to contain my ample charms, I did it – we got to the top at dusk and the group sang Happy Birthday to us….a once in a lifetime experience :)


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:10 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      How fantastic!! I wish I’d known you then, I’d have climbed up the pylon and cheered with you! :D


      • on May 26, 2015 at 8:16 pm Chica Andaluza

        You might have distracted me and then I’d have got stuck in a narrow opening…. ;)


  19. on May 25, 2015 at 5:19 pm Lina

    I’d rather watch your pics from a safe place Celia. Heights & I don’t get along! Looks like you had a lovely & memorable day!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:10 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Fair enough Lina! Although as I said to Nancy, the stairs are all inside the pylon, so you never really feel at risk! :)


  20. on May 25, 2015 at 9:05 pm Stefanie

    Hi Celia, we went up a few years ago and it really is such good value. The bridge climb scares me a little and I think it is a little pricey, we advise all friends visiting to go up the pylon. I found the display and all the information really interesting also, sounds like you had a fun day :) Just wanted to let you know I read your post about how to cook and peel chestnuts and it worked brilliantly, can’t wait to show mum and dad!! Thank you so much x


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:11 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Stefanie, I’m so glad to hear the chestnuts worked! I find it works best with easy peel chestnuts. Oh, and I saw Moya at the Kirribilli Markets! :)


  21. on May 25, 2015 at 9:31 pm gourmetgetaway

    Aww…such great views. One can never tire of that landmark and its surrounding waters. Thanks for the tip, Celia!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:11 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Julie! It’s a great spot to take the family too!


  22. on May 25, 2015 at 9:57 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    Given enough time, even I could make it up 200 steps. :) What a great find and I can’t wait to give the steps a go. What an amazing view!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:12 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh there’s heaps to see on the way up! And a shop, and a bathroom! :)


  23. on May 25, 2015 at 9:59 pm mickscogs

    Francesca and I, and other members of our family, walked over the bridge in 1966. Haven’t been back much since but when I do, I will be climbing that pylon.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:12 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mick, it’s such a nice spot to see all of Sydney Harbour!


  24. on May 25, 2015 at 10:16 pm joanne

    Thanks for the memories, Celia. I went up that lookout when I was a student at the Con in the late 60s. Don’t know why but I thought that the lookout had been closed, maybe they were just fixing it up. The Rocks area was my dad’s beat when he worked as an electrician for the Sydney County Council during WWII and his stories of the area make it a special place for me. Alas with the selling off of the houses and Barangaroo it will all change radically. I know we can’t stop change but I do hope Sydney does not change too much (wistful sigh). Love your pictures!


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:14 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Joanne, you’re right, I just read the history of the pylon, and it was closed in the 1970s. Reopened in 1982 and has been operating since. When we were at uni, Walsh Bay wharf was quite run down – there was an odd little amusement park at Pier 1 that we used to hang out at. So different now, but such prime real estate couldn’t stay undeveloped forever, I guess!


  25. on May 25, 2015 at 11:00 pm Anne Wheaton

    The best background in the world? I hate to say this to an Australian – but you’re absolutely right. This post is almost enough to make me book a ticket to Sydney.


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:15 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Yes, come over, and I’ll take you up! Then we can hit the Rocks Markets together! You could even have a stall there – no jelly prints or chicken hats on offer from anyone else! :)


  26. on May 26, 2015 at 4:47 am themateriallady

    Gorgeous views Celia. The Management and I hope to visit Australia, and Sydney, in the not too distant future so this can be put on the to do list 😀


    • on May 26, 2015 at 7:16 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Kim, so glad to hear that. It’s a much more affordable option to the actual Bridge Climb!


  27. on May 26, 2015 at 8:17 am Lyn

    My family and I similarly stumbled across the Lookout when walking across the Bridge a few months ago. The walk across the Bridge alone was amazing – and something I had never done despite being Sydney born (although no longer a resident) – but the Pylon Lookout was something else again. As you say, so much amazing information about the Bridge in the wonderful displays, topped off by the magnificent views from the top. I really enjoyed the time we spent there and hope that my kids will have something to remember in years to come. I would recommend it to anyone…


    • on May 26, 2015 at 5:30 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Lyn, so glad you found it by chance too – makes it all the more rewarding, doesn’t it! :)


  28. on May 26, 2015 at 5:27 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    Lovely pics. Was this before Vivid? It must have been warmer too because I have been wearing a coat every day :)


    • on May 26, 2015 at 5:29 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It was three days ago – last Saturday! The sun came out from nowhere and it was divine! :)


  29. on May 26, 2015 at 6:29 pm hotlyspiced

    In my pre-children days we lived in a terrace house in Kirribilli and I walked across the harbour bridge every day to get to work. I never tired of the experience. I have done the bridge climb but not the pylon tour. Your images are a great tourism promotion xx


  30. on May 26, 2015 at 8:52 pm fergie51

    Geoff did this while I was at Herbies when we were up there a couple of weeks ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Doesn’t matter where you go near the harbour, views are stunning. I just love Sydney Harbour.


  31. on May 26, 2015 at 9:06 pm Rose

    Celia, this is completely off-topic! Did you see your friends’ bar, The Temperance Society, reviewed in the SMH today? I can send a printed copy if wanted.


    • on May 27, 2015 at 11:17 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Marty mentioned it, Rose! I’ll have to get a copy – thank you, I think I can track one down here! :)


  32. on May 28, 2015 at 1:46 am Glenda

    Great photos of a beautiful city.


  33. on May 29, 2015 at 3:02 pm lizzygoodthings

    Wow, what an amazing thing to do, Celia! Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities.


  34. on May 29, 2015 at 7:17 pm Rachel

    Wow! Fantastic find! It will certainly be on my list of things to do in Sydney!


  35. on May 30, 2015 at 3:37 pm Kristiina

    Thanks for this info. I’ve lived in Sydney for 40 years and never knew this lookout existed. It is now on my list of things to do.



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