Pylon Lookout: The cheap way to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

The cheap way to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge is taking on 200 steps at the Pylon Lookout.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney has become one of the big tentpeg Australian experiences. The views from the top of the bridge are, somewhat predictably, tremendous. But paying to do the Bridgeclimb is going to put a serious dent in your wallet. Therefore, many visitors question whether the steep price is worth it for the steep climb.

Sydney Harbour from the Pylon Lookout — The Sydney Opera House and Eastern Suburbs seen from the top of the Pylon Lookout, the cheap way to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

There is, mercifully, a cheapskate’s alternative. The Pylon Lookout is atop one of the purely decorative sandstone pillars that look like they’re holding the Sydney Harbour Bridge up.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Pylon Lookout steps

Once inside the south-eastern pillar, there are 200 steps up to the Pylon Lookout, 89 metres above Sydney Harbour. On the way, there’s an exhibition about the bridge’s history to enjoy, featuring plenty of photographs from the construction phase. There’s also the odd rare bit of video footage.

For those wowed by how spectacular the Sydney Harbour Bridge looks, this exhibition gives an insight into the engineering feat behind it. But those who just want to head up to the top of the Pylon Lookout for magnificent views of the harbour are unlikely to be too disappointed either.

Sydney Harbour views from the Pylon Lookout

It’s not just about the Opera House, city skyline, islands and Botanic Gardens nearby – turn in the other direction on a clear day, and you can see the 2000 Sydney Olympic Stadium at Homebush Bay, with the faint outlines of the Blue Mountains in the distance.

It’s not quite as incredible a view as the one from the very top of the Bridge, but it’s still pretty darned good.

Pylon Lookout entry price

Entrance to the Pylon Lookout costs $19. However, free tickets for it are given out with every Bridgeclimb booking. If you want to do both, don’t make the mistake of paying for both.