Sydney - Harbour Bridge

Before the construction of the Opera House the Harbour Bridge had been for almost fifty years Sydney's best-known landmark, familiarly known to the inhabitants as the Coathanger. The bridge was completed in 1932 after eight years' work, with a work force at times of up to 1400 men. Supported by massive double piers at each end, the bridge spans the 500 m between the north and south sides of the harbor in a single arch rising to 134 m above the water, with a clearance of 49 m for shipping. It carries two railway lines and eight lanes for road traffic, the direction of which can be varied according to traffic requirements. There are also walkways for pedestrians. From the bridge there are magnificent views of the city and the harbor. An average of over 170,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day, but increasing traffic forced it to be supplemented by a tunnel under the harbor which was opened in 1992.

In the southeastern pier is a museum illustrating the history of the bridge's construction.