High Above the Water: A Travel Diary of Bridge Climbs and Perspectives from Above
Journey Beyond Border 🌎 From Brisbane to Auckland: Finding Courage at 60 Meters
I've climbed two bridges in the past two years - one in Brisbane and one in Auckland. Two different experiences, but both full of adrenaline. Here are climbing moments I'll never forget.
📍 Brisbane, Australia | 09/07/2023
On Heights and Fear: The Time I Stood on the Edge of the Bridge
In Sydney, climbing the Harbour Bridge cost $350, but here in Brisbane I saw it was generally cheaper, around $200.
When I arrived, I researched thoroughly and found a 'winter deal' (it's still considered winter here until the end of the month despite it being 24 degrees outside) for only $99! There were various climbing time options, and naturally everyone wants to climb at sunset, so those hours were sold out, leaving only 8 am. I took it.
The evening before, I checked the map to figure out exactly where to go, and for some reason, I was convinced it was a 15-minute walk from my apartment, because I had been somewhere nearby (or not exactly nearby). I woke up in the morning, got ready, and left at 7:25, because they said to be there ten minutes early, and I always like to be early.
I left the house, calculated the route on Google, 30 minutes walking. Ahhhhhhh! Shit! Afraid of being late, I started running. While running, I'm thinking maybe I should take a taxi? I can't be late! For these things, they could just leave without me! Nooooo!
I kept running, with breaks, of course, because I was still basically asleep. I made it early, and everything was fine.
I wondered if I would be hot climbing the stairs to the top of the bridge. We'd be climbing stairs with the sun out and not a single cloud in the sky, or would there be wind and cold at that height in the open air? It's not exactly an intense fitness climb, after all, one of the women in my group was about 100 years old.
After a short briefing on what to do and what absolutely not to do, we did a breathalyzer test to make sure we weren't still drunk from Friday night, put on jumpsuits, and set off. Usually, there's an elevator that works to get to the bridge stairs themselves, but it was under renovation, so we earned an extra 200 stairs as an introduction, yay!
I thought I'd be a bit anxious, because I don't really understand if I have a fear of heights or not. True, I've been to every observation tower in every city, done bungee jumps and skydives, and yet whenever I look down, it's very scary. It's probably a natural survival fear and not some paralyzing anxiety.
The first time I stood at a great height and had to bungee jump was in Thailand, and when I looked down, I couldn't jump, so I asked the operator to 'push' me. It was really funny because he simply pressed against me from behind and gave me a little nudge with his belly, and I just flew down.
Back to the bridge. We were a group of seven early risers, as on the way back, we saw much larger groups and more people waiting in the briefing room. The climb up the stairs wasn't particularly difficult, and the view was breathtaking (or maybe it was the stairs).
We weren't allowed to bring phones with us, because the guide takes photos and then they can charge you $25 if you want the pictures (I passed) under the guise of safety. To the extent that the guide walks around with a metal detector like a security guard at the mall to check.
I was first in line, and I thought that was great because this way I'd know there was a group behind me, which would motivate me not to get tired (or discouraged). At the top of the bridge, you can find quite a few ravens, probably waiting for one of us to get tired.
The stories about the bridge are very interesting. The person who built it also built the larger bridge in Sydney, except that here, only 4 people died during construction, a relatively small price for that time. The bridge is made of 12 thousand tons of iron above ground, and almost double that underground.
The stories tell of how the crew dug so deep below sea level that they developed diseases that divers get when they stay underwater too long due to pressure and excess nitrogen in the body. They had a hospital at the construction site, decompression chambers, and they were instructed to ascend slowly, and even take a break at a certain height, just like I learned to do in my diving course. This really interested me because I thought the pressure was created by the water 'pressing' on the body, but it turns out I was wrong.
Another story is about how the bridge engineer wanted it to point exactly north, but his workers weren't so fond of the idea, as it meant they would have to demolish their favorite pub. They went on strike for six weeks until they convinced the engineer to change the plans. Today, the bridge deviates 3 degrees from due north, and right next to it, you can find the famous pub that still serves cold beers
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📍 Auckland, New Zealand | 10/02/2025
When Adrenaline Meets History: A Fascinating Journey to the Peak of Auckland's Famous Landmark
I left early in the morning for the Sky City building, the same tower I had just jumped from yesterday with tremendous excitement. The morning sun was still slowly climbing into Auckland's blue skies as I waited for the vehicle that would take me to the famous bridge.
As usual, I arrived early. While waiting, I noticed three elderly women chatting in German. "Are you also waiting for the shuttle to the bridge climb?" I asked, seeking confirmation that I was in the right place. "Yes, there's a pickup sign right here," one of them replied with a warm smile.
The shuttle arrived slightly late, with a lovely driver who turned the short journey into a guided tour. For the next ten minutes, as we passed through the awakening city streets, he pointed out interesting places and shared fascinating stories about Auckland's history.
At the bridge complex, we met the rest of our group - five more people from different corners of the world. In the reception hall, we left our belongings in lockers and dressed in safety equipment: suits, overalls, helmets, and headphones that would allow us to hear the guide throughout the route.
The experience I gained from climbing the Story Bridge in Brisbane led me to stick close to the guide and take the first place in line. This time, unlike the previous climb, my smart glasses were with me, ensuring perfect documentation of the experience. Like the tower jump yesterday, here too they promised us all the photos by email - a wonderful advantage of the company.
The journey itself was magnificent. Each step revealed a stunning new view. We started on a path under the bridge, where we could see the blue waters moving gently beneath us. From there, we entered the massive walls that support the bridge - impressive structures that reveal the amazing engineering behind this giant structure.
When we rose to the surface inside a safety cage, cars passed rapidly right next to us, creating deafening noise and strong wind. We climbed stairs and reached the highest point of the bridge, 60 meters above sea level. Below us, the ocean spread in all its glory, and small boats looked like toys on the water. In the distance, Auckland's skyline sparkled in the sun, and planes flew above us on their way to the nearby airport.
Contrary to what I expected, the climb itself wasn't particularly challenging. We climbed the stairs at a comfortable pace, and the guide, who knew the route like the back of his hand, stopped for breaks at exactly the right moments. He was a fascinating character - a nice guy who, for nine years, has been climbing this bridge three times a day, every day of the year except Christmas.
As I watched him confidently leading us, I wondered about all the people he had met over the years. How many stories he heard, how many dreams he saw come true, how many magical moments he shared with strangers who became friends, if only for a few hours. What a wonderful way to bring joy and be part of unforgettable memories for people from all over the world.
During the climb, the guide shared a fascinating story about the history of bungee jumping and the company's founder. He told us about A.J. Hackett, who turned bungee jumping into the commercial industry it is today. Hackett, known for his daring, even dared to jump unexpectedly from the Eiffel Tower. His inspiration came from the Vanuatu tribe from the South Pacific islands, who developed a particularly dangerous rite of passage - jumping from a great height with their legs tied with vines. The jumpers had to calculate the length of the vine with perfect precision - a small mistake could be fatal. This ancient tradition has turned into what we know today as safe and secure bungee jumping.
From the top of the bridge, a breathtaking panoramic view of Auckland was revealed to us. The Sky Tower sparkled in the distance like a precious jewel on the city's neck. I could only imagine how this view looks at night, when the city lights twinkle against the black sky.
During the conversation, the guide revealed an interesting fact - this bridge was designed inspired by Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge. But in the original design, a mistake was made - it was built too narrow. To solve the problem, skilled workers were brought from China who widened the bridge and added lanes, until it reached its current dimensions - eight wide lanes.
When I compared it to the Sydney bridge, I was surprised to discover that, unlike its Australian cousin, there is no pedestrian walkway. The only way to enjoy this magnificent view is through a guided climb, which makes this experience even more special.
When we descended back to the ground, I felt a sweet sense of achievement. Within two days, I had experienced two exciting adventures - a tower jump and a bridge climb. Two different ways to see the same wonderful city, two different perspectives on life itself. I remembered the bungee jumper from our group and smiled - yes, on my next visit to Auckland, I already know what my next challenge will be.
Turns out bridges can teach you a lot. About fear of heights, about history, and mostly about stepping outside your comfort zone. One thing's for sure, next time I'm climbing something - I'm checking the map for how long it really takes to get there.
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