5 FUN FACTS ABOUT THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Captain Frank has been skippering vessels on Sydney Harbour for a number of years now and his knowledge of the harbour is vast. However last year he began exploring the harbour with a tourist cap on his head and he discovered some new and fun facts about the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Also known as the ‘Coathanger’, the bridge is iconic to Sydney Harbour and the views from the water are outstanding. It is the world’s largest steel arch bridge and one of Australia’s most well-known and photographed landmarks.

BUT DID YOU KNOW…

1. The Harbour Bridge is actually an optical illusion. Despite the bridge looking to be curved each piece that makes up the bridge is actually straight.

2. The top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge arch actually rises and falls about 180mm (18cm) due to changes in the temperature! There are special hinges in the arch top that allow for this movement.

3. Ever wondered why the Sydney Harbour Bridge is grey? When the bridge was built, grey was the only available colour in a large enough quantity to paint the entire span of the bridge. 272,000 litres of paint were required to give the bridge its initial paint. 

4. Before the opening of the bridge in 1932, up to 96 steam locomotives were positioned in various ways to test the load capacity of the bridge.

5. While the bridge is certainly a Sydney icon today, at the time of construction, approximately 800 families living in the planned path of the Harbour Bridge were displaced without any compensation (certainly not a fun fact, but definitely an interesting one!)

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge now carrying eight vehicle lanes (more than 160,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily), two train lines, a footway and a cycleway, as well as providing the opportunity for Sydney locals and visitors to climb the top of the bridge, imagining Sydney without this icon is not even possible!

The views from the water are absolutely stunning and no matter how many times Captain Frank and the team cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is still amazing and its wow factor stands strong. You can join Captain Frank and the team on either a private sightseeing cruise or a scheduled harbour tour – we guarantee Sydney Harbour and the views from the water will impress you!

#seasydneyharbour #onaboat #sydney #sydneyharbour #exploretheharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #harbourbridge #allthingsnautical

A BLANKET OF FIRE AND BEAUTY

Captain Frank invited a friend out on the Sydney Harbour Sunset & Sparkle Cruise upon the product’s initial launch… So we decided to share her write up!

BY ANNIE B.

As a Sydney-sider I am often treated to a spectacular sunset, with glorious pink and red hues being spread across the sky like a blanket of fire. To say I am spoilt with views is an understatement, as these amazing sunset displays come out for show.

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Absolutely spectacular colours spread across the sky as the sun sets on a Summer evening. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour.

 

With Sydney having such vivid sunsets, the next question is where is the best place to capture such a picturesque occasion from? Of course we want the best vantage point so we have the footage to share across social media.

Scrolling through the internet searching for the answer to this question… well it seems that such a discussion is open for debate, with many personal opinions being listed and with the images shared, it’s hard to say they are wrong. Put simply, Sydney has amazing sunsets and there seems to be a number of great spots to capture these from!

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Capturing this amazing sunset over Sydney from Athol Bay. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour

 

On this note, a common feature I did notice from the array of listed locations that I sifted through, was that many selected Sydney spots – Watsons Bay, Manly, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Opera House and a number of key harbour side hotels and restaurants – had one thing in common, Sydney Harbour. Thinking about it, the sun does look better glistening off the water.

Just when I thought the idea of a Sydney sunset could not get much better, the opportunity arose for me to experience a gorgeous sunset aboard a harbour cruise. Wow!! To say the least, this was like front row seats at the opera, side line seats at the footy grand final and rooftop seats for an eclipse. Not only did I view the gorgeous sunset from a prime location, but I enjoyed a cruise around the harbour, where I relaxed, grazed on some nibbles and enjoyed a glass of champagne.

Cruising the harbour and watching the sun setting underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image - Sea Sydney Harbour.
Cruising the harbour, watching the sun set underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour.

 

For the keen photographer, the lover of relaxation, the explorer of Sydney – the sun setting over Sydney Harbour is definitely a dream setting; a blanket of fire and beauty.

The Sunset & Sparkle Harbour Cruise that I got to experience is certainly one to put into the schedule on your next visit to Sydney!

#seasydneyharbour #onaboat #sydney #sydneyharbour #exploretheharbour  #sunsetandsparkle #allthingsnautical