IT'S meant to be the "climb of your life", I just hoped it wouldn't give me the fright of my life in the process.
But those who brave the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb are rewarded with a view of the Australian icon like no other.
I knew I was in for an adventure when I bumped into an overly-enthusiastic New Yorker before the climb, who raved about the experience and his guide – Bernie. As luck would have it, Bernie turned out to be my guide as well.
See below for you chance to win a double-pass for the bridge climb
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
Next is the part where you're kitted out. As I put on the standard jumpsuit and was strapped in to my gear, I was comforted by the knowledge that more than 2.75 million people had done the climb before, including an 100-year-old woman - Mrs Chris Muller.
My guide made sure everything was secure, to ensure nothing could fall onto the cars below. Banned items included cameras, earrings, hair clips, notebooks... and even Chapstick.
It offers a view of Sydney like no other. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
A series of attachments were provided to secure any glasses, hats and jackets as well as a latch to keep you attached to a static line, for safety. I also had a bumbag which held my camera (luckily, as part of the media, I was allowed to take photos) and was excited about being able to capture a view of the bridge I'd never seen before.
During the three-and-a-half hour climb there's a total of 1332 stairs to scale up to the highest point at 134 metres above.
The start of the climb. Picture: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Source: Supplied
While the journey up to the top isn't for the faint-hearted, it's incredible, especially considering there are few bridges around the world you can climb to the top of.
We begin by walking a plank underneath the roadway and scaling a series of steep staircases. We duck and weave along the path at times as it narrows and then opens up to a spectacular view of the Opera House around a corner.
View from one of the staircases. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
This corner is the point of the climb where our guide Bernie, 13 years ago, decided he wanted to do many, many more climbs. It's easy to see why.
It's also the part where those with a fear of heights really struggle. There's a section of wire-mesh catwalk where the ground is visible a long way down, giving a dizzying feeling.
Some push on with help from their guides, others simply cannot.
This is the section of the climb where those with a fear of height can struggle. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
Continuing the climb, the roar of the traffic grows loader as you get closer to the roadway, and the bridge vibrates.
For most, nerves quickly turned to excitement and exhilaration upon stepping onto the lower part of the bridge and spotting the curved arches soaring high above, taking on the appearance of a rollercoaster.
View of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the climb. Picture: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Source: Supplied
We scaled the highest arch past the pylons. The arches can rise or fall 18 centimetres with heating or cooling.
It's a riveting climb - six million rivets hold the bridge together, to be precise.
View of the roadway down below. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
Standing up there with the wind rushing past you, traffic zipping by underneath you and a 360 degree view of Sydney like no other, including the Opera House, you really feel like you're on top of the world.
The water below was teeming with boats, including two massive cruise ships. One of them sailed underneath the bridge while blaring the hit song Gangnam Style, providing a unique view of a cruise liner, including the pools and people partying on the top deck.
A cruise ship passes underneath the bridge. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
We took a moment to sit down near the top and soak in the atmosphere.
Now I know what they mean by the "climb of your life".
It's easy to see why more than 4000 couple have gotten engaged during the climb – it really makes you feel alive.
The bridge was officially opened in 1932 and the first climb took place in 1998 (10 years in the making). Sixteen men died building it.
Want to climb the bridge? You could win a free pass for two! Fill out the form below:
More pictures below
The view from underneath the roadway. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
There are 1332 stairs to scale during the climb. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
View of the Sydney Opera House during the Bridge Climb. Picture: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Source: Supplied
The walkway underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Picture: Kate Schneider Source: news.com.au
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