New Year's Eve fireworks Geoff Ward, 31 December 2005 digital photograph Courtesy of the Roads and Traffic Authority

The bridge has been closed completely to vehicle traffic 19 times since 1932. The first time was for its 50th birthday which was celebrated on 21 March 1982. On this day, more than a quarter of a million pedestrians were given full use of the main deck to enjoy the festivities and parades. Celebrations included a reunion of 135 ex-bridge workers, a fun run and a harbour procession of more than 100 craft. Other significant closures include the Corroboree Walk held 28 May 2000 when in the name of reconciliation, about 150,000 people marched across and the word 'sorry' was written in the sky over the bridge.

In recent years, events like the 2000 Sydney Olympics and ushering in the second millennium have cemented its position as one of the world's most famous landmarks. To the countless millions of people who were glued to their television screens at about midnight on 31 December 1999, the bridge and its Eternity sign conveyed the spirit of the age, a message of hope and celebration wound up with a respectful nod to the past.
Roads and Traffic Authority

Ali Jafari from Chatswood
I am an immigrant from iraq. During the last war my sister, her husband an her two children were killed by an aerial bombardment on the bridge over the Tigris between the baghdad neighborhoods Kazemiya and Adamiya. Since then every time I saw a bridge I felt terribly bad. The first bridge I crossed by foot since that day was the harbour bridge once I had been in sydney for some months. I hope this bridge will be a bridge to a new life far away from pain, suffering and terror. ( the same baghdad bridge was the site of a terror attack two years ago in which hundreds of people died by bombers and hundreds of others died jumping into the water in panick or getting stampeded.)

Ally from Point Piper
When walking accross the bridge, one cannot help but feel a strange sort of overwhelment, as one immagines that a mere 75 years ago there was nothing here.

Anna from Sunbury
It took a very very long time to walk across the bridge but i enjoyed it.

Anonymous from Sydney
In 90's, a friend of mine and his mate were having a drink at Milsons Point Hotel. After the hotel closed they decided to walk over the bridge to take in the view. As they were approaching they decided to see if they could climb to the top thinking the view would be spectacular. This was before the Bridge climbs were available. They managed to climb over the safety barrier and up the stairs. Eventually they made it to the top. They sat there for hours, chatting and having a few more beers. Eventually they both fell asleep.My friend awoke with his legs dangling over the edge to catch one of the best sunrises he had ever seen!

Audrey Wacks from Petersham
I arrived in Australia on Saturday 19 January 1974. I will always have my first exciting memory of crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I was driven across the bridge by my Uncle who had come to collect us and I will always remember the feeling of anticipation, beauty and vastness of crossing the bridge. I had heard about and read a lot about Sydney just before I'd arrived and the Sydney Opera House had just been opened by the Queen. I think my love of bridges has developed because of this wonderful piece of construction. I had always wanted to walk across it and ensured I did the Bridge Climb in 1999, the first year of its operation. I always tell people it is one of my most exciting memories.

Ben Hackett from Britain
I have bought a christmas decoration of the harbour bridge! I have really enjoyed seeing how the bridge was built.

Chris Donnelly on behalf of Russell Donnelly from Kardinya, Perth.
My dad (Russell) would tell me that while studying engineering at Sydney Uni in the 70's the trick of the time was to climb the outer arc of the bridge with a few bottles of champagne just before sunset. watch the sun go down over the harbour and leave the bottles for whom ever was to be up there next; no doubt someone doing maintance. the mind boggles at how much trouble one would get into if it was tried in the age of terror. but I still think it's romantic.

Claudia Spiandorim from Sao Paulo, Brazil
I lived in Sydney for one year back in 1989, and returned with my husband in 1999. We climbed the bridge at that occasion, and were thrilled. This year, we chose Sydney to spend our New Years Eve, and this time we had our daughter with us. We watched the fireworks from Circular Quay, and were honoured to be a part of the Bridge's 75th anniversary. Congratulations on having such an important architectural landmark in your city, and for keeping it so beautiful!!!! Happy 75th, Coathanger!

Daisy Roots from London UK
My beloved is booked to walk over the bridge on Monday afternoon. Part of me wants to do it too, but I will watch from the ground, too scared of heights. I see that the bridge will be 75 years old in a few months - hope I look that good when I'm 75 !

Daniel King from Enmore (but originally England)
Just seeing the Harbour Bridge for the first time from the air as I came in to land truly took my breath away. To finally see an icon like that that you have seen so many times on television is amazing. Particularly on a bright sunny day.

Danielle Adams from Erskineville
To put it simply, the bridge is Sydney. My heart still skips a beat every time I drive onto the bridge. Truly an icon of Syndey and Australia

dasmz from Sydney
The views of this bridge when i first saw from Mrs Macquaries point were breathtaking. Truly cherish the time.

Derek Oakley MBE from Hayling Island, Hampshire, UK
I firt sailed into Sydney Harbour in 1947 as a Royal Marines Officer aboard HMS Theseus, an aircraft carrier. It was a beautiful morning and I commanded the guard of honour on the flight deck as we sailed into Woolloomoloo. I suppose the enormity of the bridge did not dawn on me as it dwarfed most of the tallest buildings. When we talked locally we appreciated that it had been funded with British money and built mostly with British steel - however the main topic of conversation was that it hadn't been paid for yet - in 1947. Since retirement I have lectured (recently in Adelaide) on Marines of the First Fleet and their influence on founding the colony. Since 1947 I have been back to Sydney regularly (most years these days)and gradually and regrettably watched the high rise buildings dwarf the Bridge, but it still stands proud across the harbour, synonymous with the pride Syndeysiders hold for their 'Coathanger'. Long may that continue. 'Built to last 75 years, they said, but now that birthday has passed it looks set to last 300'.

Dieter Gartelmann from Neutral Bay
I began my professional life as an engineer, and this has remained a fascination. When I visited the Sothern Pylon museum I was gobsmacked by the scale of the work, how it was done. By how men could dream so big, and get it right to last for so many years. 6 or 12 M pounds. Just imagine today. The thing that struck me was the reecognition these fabulous engineers were willing to give to the workforce. Maybe we need to be reminded of that today.

Dr. Peter R. Burgess from Bathurst
Apparently the temporary tension cables that held the two ends apart whilst they were being built are now being used to suspend the Indooroopilly Bridge in Brisbane - according to a cheerful chap visiting the museum from QLD.

Duncan Armour from Berowra, Sydney
My grandparents were married in 1932 after the opening of the bridge. A number of their wedding presents were commerative plates from the opening of the bridge.we still have these plates, some of which are displayed here in the museum, these plates are still in the families possession, and are a wonderful reminder of these times.

Elizabeth Rush from Cammeray
My Grandmother was one of the school children to walk across the bridge. She is a long term resident of North Sydney and would remember a number of the locations that are shown in some of the photos. Ever since the 50th birthday celebrations, the rest of us have kept up the tradition. We have walked over the bridge many times culminating in walking over the bridge on the 75th Celebrations a couple of weeks ago.

Emma Laubi from Greenwich
Hi my name is Emma Laubi and I go to Greenwich public school I am nine years old and I am the oldest three children. I have gone over the Habour bridge by bike and of course by car a lot of the time.

Fay Palmer from Lane Cove
I remember in about 1956 coming to Sydney, this being my first trip away from the small country town I lived in, and going up the pylon where the white cat were. I do remember the white cats, and the smell, but as well, I remember having my photo taken there holding a Koala!!!!! How people were allowed to have a Koala in such a place? Maybe my memory is not so good, but I do remember that! I am now 69 but I think my memory is correct. I should have a photo, I must look.

Felix Partos from Cammeray
I really like the Harbour Bridge, how it was designed. I really like how they designed a train track across the Bridge. It's really good how you can see the Sydney Opera House.

Geoff Morrow from Kirribilli
I have travelled over the Bridge on most weekdays for more than than sixty years. I have walked across it on the roadway on the three occasions (1992, 2002 and 2007) this has been possible since the official opening of the Bridge in 1932. Each of these occasions was stirring and memorable. However, ons of the most thrilling and exciting experiences I have ever had was to climb the arch, not just because of the stunning views but also because of the opportunity to see close up the detail of the marvel of its construction. How the workers completed the Bridge with their primitive equipment and with no safety gear totally beggars belief. The climb left me feeling totally exhilarated - on a "high" rarely enjoyed before or since.

Hannah from Sydney
I have always wanted to walk on the top of the bridge it is so high up and it looks like a lot of fun. I hope I will be able to climb it one day. I prefer to go over the bridge instead of under the tunnel I will always feel that way!

Isabelle Slee from Stoke On Trent
I came from England with my Mom,Dad and my brother Matthew.On New Years Eve we watched the Fireworks. My Dads friend came with his wife and 2 boys.

Jack and Harry Klein from Denistone
Our dad crashed on the bridge!

Jack Sowden from Fairlight
I have been across the Harbour Bridge by car, train and bus and I have been underneath it through the Sydney Harbour tunnel. I think it is very special and have enjoyed going across the bridge and seeing the Opera House. I am seven years old.

Jacob Michael Johnston from Hillarys, Perth
I am 5 and 1/2 months old. This is my first visit to Sydney and the first time I have seen the Sydney Harbour Bridge - it's a magnificent sight. I've had a lot of fun and hope to visit the city again soon!

Jayde Richards from Young, NSW
Truly one of Australia's finest accomplishments.

John Klein from Denistone
I once crashed on the bridge. What an inspirational story!

Judy Jakeman from Ashgrove QLD
I first saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge when I was about 12 years of Age in 1948. Coming from North Queensland I had heard my parents talk about the beauty of the Bridge and when I knew I would be seeing it for the first time, I had decided to stay very very still and absorb the picture. This I did and I have never forgotten the thrill when I first saw the SHB. It stays with me to this day.

Julianne Polanco from San Francisco, California, USA
Wonderful exhibit....and an excellent understanding of yet another amazing bridge construction- there were many parallels between this and the Golden Gate Bridge. Hats off to all who made such an informative and lovely show.

Karen Hurley from Panania
I took part in the 60th Birthday Celebrations with my late Father in 1992 in walking on the roadway of the Bridge. It was one most wonderful & thrilling experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I still vividly remember that day approaching the southern pylon as my Father & I entered on to the roadway of the Bridge. When we reached the middle of the Bridge looking up at the archway feeling very proud to be an Sydneysider, an Australian on that day.

Lachlan Moore from Balgowlah North
I am 7 years old, and I think the Sydney Harbour Bridge is very special to me. I have crossed it by train, bus, car and when I was a very small boy my grandmother walked across with me in my stroller. My friend Jack and I have today enjoyed our visit to the Museum and have learnt much more about the building of the bridge.

Lauren Crawford from Campbelltown
Taking part in the Bridge Climb has been the best experience I have ever had. A little under 2 years after I learnt to walk again, I, along with members of my family took part in climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a little later, experienced one of the best historical monuments, still standing in Australia, I toured the Pylon Museum, which was another hi-light of my life to this point and i'm sure always will be, even though I am 21, I know what is important and our (Australia's) history is just that; it is imperitive that we preserve our past so that we will have a future.

Lee Burns from Geebung, Brisbane
I am from Brisbane and our famous Bridge is the Story Bridge. I believe that although the Story Bridge is not as famous and well-known as the Sydney Harbour Bridge it has a very interesting history. I have a story about it that makes me very proud. My Grandfather, Harry Bradford, used to work as a painter on the story Bridge after it's construction. He was paid sixpence and hour, which wasn't much even in those days. One day his mates on the Bridge offered him 10 bob to jump of the bridge. He did this and collected his 10 bob but was fired in the process. He was a dare devil back in the day because there were lots of bull sharks that swam under the story Bridge. He is 93 years old this year and would be delighted to know that his story was told to others.

Lexie from Mosman
I wish I could walk on the Harbour Bridge one day - if I was a bird I would make the top of the harbour bridge my home because it has the best view in the world.

Manuel Gonzalez from Penrith
I remember the police coming to our house early one morning to inform my father that his son Jose had had an accident. It seems my brother had dropped his 20cent piece for the toll,while searching for the dreaded coin he hit the toll booth wrecked my car and ended up in hospital the year was 1978

Marilyn Love from Mona Vale
Hi, what a wonderful exhibition! I am a descendent of Billy Blue,7th generation & very proud to be an Australian, especially after seeing this museum. Well done! I have a ring which belonged to my mother in law made from granite used in the building of the Bridge. What a privilege to have this wonderful history in a city so young but so beautiful.

Mary Kirk from Sydney
On 18th March, 50 years ago, through delay in being able to contact an ambulance,(caused by lack of telephones in our area), I was alone, husband at work, in an ambulance heading for King George V. Hospital, on the South side of the harbour. Soon I found myself at the toll gates on the Sydney Harbour Bridge giving birth to a gorgeous daughter and it was peak hour traffic at 4.30 p.m.! We proceeded to the hospital where nurses asked me "What was I going to call her?". I said "Bridget" but changed my mind. "Bridget" became a popular name and would have been most appropriate. I did not realize that it was the eve of the 25th Birthday of our wonderful bridge. We featured in the newspapers as "Bridge Has A Birthday Baby!" Also TV had just commenced and very few people had a set, so my husband stood outside a TV shop watching with many others, the news, where we "Starred" as the youngest baby to appear on TV. Approximately 10 years later our car's front wheels were on fire at the toll gates, after incorrect brake adjustments. What a coincidence on OUR WONDERFUL HARBOUR BRIDGE!

Matthew Slee - age 7 from Stoke on Trent
I came on a nice holiday. We saw our family. We watched cricket. The bridge and the opera house look nice.

Michelle Slee from Stoke on Trent
I came from England on a family holiday. We watched the fireworks on New Years Eve, by the bridge. We had a lovely time. We will always remember it.

Monica Davidson from St Peters
In 2001 our whole family, ranging from one year old twins to ageing grandparents, walked across the Harbour Bridge on Sorry Day. It was such a priviledge to be able to walk on the roadway, especially having seen photographs of people doing the same on the day the Bridge opened in 1932. To be able to create history again, and for such a good reason, is a memory that our family cherishes. We are planning to walk across the Bridge again next time pedestrians are allowed on the roadway.

Natasha from Albion Park
I think it was wonderful how a bridge was made to help people get across to the other side of Sydney. All the information was very helpful on how the bridge was made, it was a very touching story.

Owen from North Ryde
The bridge climb was amazing.to be able to see everywhere from north head and out to parramatta was just amazing....to pick all the major landmarks in Sydney was brilliant. the realisation of the frighteneing jobs the bridgeworkers had was incredible. I know that i certainly could not have done the jobs. I find the drawings of the endless bridge concepts intriguing and fascinating. If only they had built a second bridge!

Rod Howarth from Burnley England
My story happened a long time ago when I was a little boy. I was walking along the bridge when I suddenly realised that my fly was undone. I was highly embarassed by this and I will never forget it.

Ronald Besdansky from Willoughby North
When I was very small, possibly when I first saw the bridge at the age of five (being a Pommy immigrant then), I thought the trains went over the top of the arch - I thought I could see railway tracks up there! Also, I thought the hangers supported the arch! When I did the BridgeClimb a few years ago, I actually climbed all the way from water level - I have a photo of me dipping my foot in the harbour!

Sally from Glebe
Having crossed the Bridge in every way possible (train, bus, car, cycle and foot)my fondest memory of a crossing is of the Walk for Aboriginal Reconciliation. A large group of friends and I joined at Milsons Point. We watched the trains join up in a conga-line across the Bridge going North, as thousands of arriving passengers blocked access to the platforms of North Sydney and Milsons Point. Such was the popularity of the event. As we braved the cold and windy day, we united our hearts and minds with tens of thousands of others. We marched with smiles on our faces and good will in our steps and declared ourselves freed from the sins of our Country's forefathers. Together we crossed a symbol of our Country's wealth and spirit, and hoped for a future of harmony for all of the county's inhabitants.

Sally Hordern (Gibson) from Wahroonga
As a child I remember a beautiful silver model of the Harbour Bridge at Dr bradfield's home in Gordon. My grandfather, Alex J. Gibson, was one of his best friends.They used to walk down to the suspension bridge at Gordon, talking about engineering matters. We were there every Sunday as my parents played tennis on the Bradfield's court. Things like that model loom large for a child, and I've never forgotten it. I wonder if the family mentioned it, and why it was not included in the exhibition? This is such an exciting exhiobition for me because of that personal connection. I wasn't born at the time of the bridge opening, but it was the chief topic of conversation for years afterwards in the Bradfield home.

Sarah Lay from Newtown
I have been a teacher of high school aged migrant students for over twenty years. Many of the young people I have taught have been refugees and most were economically stretched. Thus, it has been my habit to take students on a walk across the harbour bridge as a low cost introduction to their new home. I have probably walked across the bridge about fifty times, with a total of somewhere between 500 and 1000 "New Austrlaians".

Stephanie Binns from Braemar
I am nine years old I have only walked across the bridge once, as I live in the Southern Highlands. I thaught it was good because my Mum and Dad kept telling me that this was very important place to be.

Stephen and Liz from Sydney
PROPOSAL BRIDGES THE GAP With careful and strategic planning commencing in the January of 1993, I was never sure whether this surprise event would come to fruition. Being a somewhat traditionalist I sought the 'approval' of the prospective parents in law. For one reason or another, this proved impossible for some eight months; patience proved a virtue! Finally I was in a position to seek permission to ask for their youngest daughter's hand in marriage. After a flurry of questions they agreed but made it clear that it was their daughter's final decision. Now the carefully laid plan could unfold. Surprisingly little time was spent together that week as I worked on the sequence of events with the help of my best mate. My girlfriend was a little irritated when I alluded to my father's business needing some representation in the city very early on the Saturday morning but was placated when offered that she might like to join me; even better when she replied that her mother had bought her a new dress which would be quite appropriate to wear. Interwoven & disguised in conversation I suggested that we might walk across the Harbour Bridge, maybe see the sunrise & take some photographs whilst we had the opportunity. Ostensibly the camera was needed for the business meeting. Dawn Saturday. Excitedly I drove the Wakehurst Parkway, mentally checking the fine details of the contingency. Looking stunningly elegant in her new dress we were off for what my girlfriend believed to be a quick dash over the bridge before having to meet for the business matter in the city. I suggested that we should park at Luna Park then walk to the centre of the Bridge. It was the perfect setting- a little crispness in the air, clear skies and as we approached the middle of the bridge, the sun emerged over horizon, ferries departed Circular Quay. Still with no indication as to what was about to happen we slowly made our way back to the northern pylon along the walkway of the bridge. With impeccable timing (6am to be precise), as my girlfriend and I stood enjoying the ambience of the morning perusing the now increasing action on the harbour, there was an urgent hooting noise that demanded my attention. My best mate in his classic Holden, roared up in the kerbside lane, his son leaning right out; I at full stretch grasped the two dozen red roses and in a single motion got down on bended knee to propose, "Marry Me". Much to the delight of the bus load of passengers commuting into the city and to my self, after gaining some composure, she exclaimed a resounding Yes! But wait there's more - we adjourned savoring the occasion, strolling a short distance under the Harbour Bridge, making some lame excuse, I, with absolute elation, turned my fianc

Tonya Fitz Patrick from Burnett Heads Qld
I really really like the Sydney Harbour Bridge because it is amazing. I would like to climb it if I come back to Sydney when I am older. I recon it should be the 8th wonder of the world.

Virginia Deakin from Summer Hill
I am 6 and last month I walked the Harbour Bridge for its 75th anniversary.I loved it!!

Virginia O'Keeffe from Perth
In the 50s vehicles travelling over the bridge extracted a toll dependent on the number of passengers in the car. Coming from the country with a large family, my father would order all the kids under a gray post war blanket to avoid the toll. I'm sure the collector knew because the blanket heaved with supresed giggles and efforts to dislodge our family dog on top, but we rarely paid the whole toll!