in 1932 and affectionately known as the 'Coathanger', the single arch construction was
built from both ends to join in the middle. It is 1,149 metres long, weighs 52,800 tonnes, has 6 million rivets and needed 272,000 litres of paint for its initial coat. To test the bridge's strength before it opened, 96 railway engines were driven onto it, the equivalent to 5,900 cars. It takes 10 years and 30,000 litres to apply one coat of paint, and this work goes on continuously. Today visitors to Sydney have the chance to climb the Bridge on safe, supervised guided tours to marvel at this engineering wonder and its stunning views over Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Harbour Bridge