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
One day I gotta see it all…. ;-)
I SO hope you do! :) xxx
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!
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! :)
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.
It’s a heck of a lot cheaper and you’re allowed to take photos! :)
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
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 :)
Fran, I was tempted to go the whole way around, but the photo would have just looked weird.. :)
Maybe do it in quadrants next time and splice it all together in Photoshop to get a magnificent opus of a photograph :)
That view is so easy to fall in love with… again and again. Wonderful photos and testimony to our lovely city.
It’s the best place in the world to live, in my opinion! :)
What a wonderful day! I love the pict of you guys taking selfies.
Hugs, Maz
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? :)
That is fantastic!! What a beautiful city, on a beautiful day.
Thanks Anne, it really was a most glorious day!
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!
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! :)
That’s more than enough height for me.
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. :)
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.
Great thing to do with the grandkids – no risk of anyone falling off the bridge! :D
Celia, that panoramic shot is truly beautiful! What a great secret to stumble across.
I wish we’d had more time Amanda, and I’d have taken you and Megan there!
What incredible autumn light!
It was a most glorious day!
Amazing.
Thanks Madge! We thought so too!
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 !!!!
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).
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.
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!
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!
Thanks Jo, we really did have a great time! :)
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.
Hehehe…well according to the blurb, the cats were there in the 50s, Carmen.. :)
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 :)
How fantastic!! I wish I’d known you then, I’d have climbed up the pylon and cheered with you! :D
You might have distracted me and then I’d have got stuck in a narrow opening…. ;)
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!
Fair enough Lina! Although as I said to Nancy, the stairs are all inside the pylon, so you never really feel at risk! :)
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
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! :)
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
Thanks Julie! It’s a great spot to take the family too!
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!
Oh there’s heaps to see on the way up! And a shop, and a bathroom! :)
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.
Mick, it’s such a nice spot to see all of Sydney Harbour!
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!
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!
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.
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! :)
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 😀
Kim, so glad to hear that. It’s a much more affordable option to the actual Bridge Climb!
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…
Lyn, so glad you found it by chance too – makes it all the more rewarding, doesn’t it! :)
Lovely pics. Was this before Vivid? It must have been warmer too because I have been wearing a coat every day :)
It was three days ago – last Saturday! The sun came out from nowhere and it was divine! :)
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
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.
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.
Marty mentioned it, Rose! I’ll have to get a copy – thank you, I think I can track one down here! :)
Great photos of a beautiful city.
Wow, what an amazing thing to do, Celia! Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities.
Wow! Fantastic find! It will certainly be on my list of things to do in Sydney!
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.