BridgeClimb Burrawa Indigenous Day Climb

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Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with your Climb Leader and a First Nations Storyteller, hearing stories of Sydney's Aboriginal history that span thousands of years to today, with 360-degree views from the summit.

Days

3 hours

Age

8 and over, min height 1.2 m

Group size

Up to 14 per Climb Leader

Start / finish

Sydney Harbour Bridge / Sydney Harbour Bridge

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

None — you climb on foot, with all climbing gear supplied

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of BridgeClimb Burrawa Indigenous Day Climb

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Included experiences

Sydney Harbour Bridge — Summit Climb to the top
First Nations Storyteller — Gadigal stories on the climb
Summit — 360-degree views of Warrane / Sydney Harbour
Bennelong Point and Barangaroo — origins of the place names

BridgeClimb Burrawa Indigenous Day Climb

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

GETTING READY IN THE ROCKS

Your climb starts at BridgeClimb's base at 3 Cumberland Street in The Rocks, the oldest part of colonial Sydney, tucked under the southern end of the bridge. Here you meet your Climb Leader and your First Nations Storyteller, sign the declaration form, take a breath test and lock away your phone and wallet, since nothing can be carried on the bridge. The crew fit you out with climbing gear to suit the day's weather. Before the ascent, the experience opens with a traditional ochre ceremony, a welcome onto Gadigal country.

UP THE ARCH: STORIES OF WARRANE

The Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in March 1932, and the Summit Climb route takes you up the steel arch on catwalks and ladders, about two hours on the bridge in all. As you rise, your Storyteller turns the view into a story. Below the southern pylons is Dawes Point, Tarra, where in 1790 and 1791 a young Aboriginal woman, Patyegarang, taught the marine officer William Dawes the language of Sydney. His notebooks are still one of the main records of that language. Burrawa means 'above' or 'upwards', and it's a fitting name for seeing the harbour this way.

THE SUMMIT: 134 METRES ABOVE THE HARBOUR

At the top you stand 134 metres above Warrane (Sydney Harbour) with a 360-degree view. Your Storyteller points out the places whose names carry First Nations history. Bennelong Point, where the Opera House now stands, is named after Woollarawarre Bennelong, a Wangal man who became a go-between with the early colony, and a hut was built for him there in 1790. Barangaroo, on the western side of the city, is named after his wife, a Cammeraygal woman and skilled fisher. You hear stories of the Gadigal people and Australia's First Peoples that span thousands of years.

BACK DOWN AND FINISHING

The descent follows the arch back down to the base, where you hand back your gear and pick up your belongings. Your Climb Leader takes photos of the group along the way, and a printed group photo and a BridgeClimb cap are yours to keep. The whole experience takes about three hours, and $20 of your ticket goes to Tribal Warrior, a First Nations organisation that runs cultural tours and programmes on the harbour.

Map

Good to know

Minimum age: The minimum age to climb is 8 and the minimum height is 1.2 metres. One adult can accompany up to 3 children aged 8 to 15.
Fitness: You need a reasonable level of fitness and strength, full body control and hand-eye-foot co-ordination, and the ability to climb unsupported by walking aids. The climb includes high ladders and catwalks, prolonged stair climbing, uneven surfaces, narrow passageways and exposure to all weather.
Suits: Pregnancy, age 75 or over, heart or respiratory conditions, back, limb or joint injuries, missing limbs, vertigo, visual impairment and learning difficulties may affect your ability to climb safely. If you are under 24 weeks pregnant or 75 or over, you need a BridgeClimb Certificate of Fitness Form signed by a doctor; over 24 weeks pregnant you cannot climb.
Please note: Everyone is breath tested and must have a blood alcohol reading below 0.05. Phones, wallets, cameras and anything else cannot be carried on the bridge — your Climb Leader takes photos of you during the climb. Every climber completes a declaration form on the day, and essential medication such as asthma inhalers may be taken at BridgeClimb's discretion.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes
Prescription glasses, if you need them

What is included

A dedicated Climb Leader for every 14 climbers
First Nations Storyteller
Bridge and Sydney history commentary
Printed climb group photo
BridgeClimb cap
Outdoor climbing gear to suit the day's weather
Free lockers for your belongings
A $20 donation to charity partner Tribal Warrior

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I did the Burrawa Indigenous climb and it was fantastic, with Charlie brilliant on the culture and people of the local area. Well worth the bit extra over the usual climb, and I learnt so much.

Craig Mackie Verified· Travelled 1st October 2026

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