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Can cruise ships go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

August 18, 2023 by MySydneyDetour Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

  • Can cruise ships go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge: A Brief History
  • Can Cruise Ships Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
  • What Determines If a Cruise Ship Can Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
  • Which Cruise Ships Can Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
  • Which Cruise Ships Cannot Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Can cruise ships go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

If you’re planning a cruise to Sydney, you might be wondering if your ship can go under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge is a symbol of Australia and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. But can cruise ships go under it? The answer is not straightforward, but we’ll do our best to explain it to you.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: A Brief History

Old Sydney Harbour
visitsydneyaustralia.com

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge that spans across Sydney Harbour, connecting the central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. It was opened in 1932 and has since become an iconic symbol of Sydney. The bridge is 134 meters high and has a clearance height of 49 meters above the water at high tide.

Can Cruise Ships Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Panoramic View of the Circular Quay and Harbour Bridge at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

The answer to this question is both yes and no. It depends on the size of the cruise ship and the tide level. Generally speaking, smaller cruise ships can go under the bridge, while larger ones cannot. The clearance height of 49 meters is enough for most smaller cruise ships, but larger ones may not be able to clear the bridge, especially at high tide.

What Determines If a Cruise Ship Can Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

The size of a cruise ship is the primary factor that determines if it can go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Most smaller cruise ships have a height of around 35 meters, which is well below the clearance height of the bridge. However, larger cruise ships can have a height of up to 60 meters, which is too high to pass under the bridge.

The tide level is another factor that affects whether a cruise ship can go under the bridge. At high tide, the water level is higher, which means that the clearance height is lower. This can make it more difficult for larger cruise ships to pass under the bridge.

Which Cruise Ships Can Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Ships cruising below the Sydney Harbour bridge

Most smaller cruise ships can go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge without any issues. These ships typically have a height of around 35 meters or less. Some examples of cruise ships that can go under the bridge include:

  • Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas
  • Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess
  • P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn

See Related: What is the difference between Brisbane and Sydney?

Which Cruise Ships Cannot Go Under the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Larger cruise ships cannot go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge due to their height. These ships typically have a height that can go past the Sydney Harbour bridge.

Related Resources:

  • How much does it cost to maintain the Sydney Harbour bridge?
  • How hard is the Sydney Harbour bridge climb?
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge

Filed Under: Sydney Life & Culture

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