Sydney Harbour Bridge

Lonely Planet review

Sydney's other-most-famous icon, this massive steel bridge is visible from a surprising number of spots around the city, crossing the harbour at one of its narrowest points, linking the southern and northern shores. It's the largest and heaviest steel arch in the world. Sydneysiders hold it dear to their hearts - partly because of its function in uniting the city and it's the centrepiece of Sydney's frequent and spectacular harbour fireworks.

The two halves of the mighty arch were built out simultaneously from each shore over 9 years. It cost around A$20 million, a bargain in today's money, taking until 1988 to pay off. Giving it a new coat of paint takes four years and 80,000 litres.

You can climb almost 200 stairs to the top of the southeastern Pylon Lookout, (9240 1100; www.pylonlookout.com.au; enter Bridge Stairs, Cumberland St, The Rocks) it has awesome views and a good museum with exhibits explaining how the bridge was built.

The cycleway is on the western side, the pedestrian footpath on the eastern. The best way to experience the bridge is on foot.

The adventurous and vertigo-free can climb to the apex of the bridge itself on the hugely popular BridgeClimb.