The history of Australia's most famous landmark will come to life with celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said festivities for the national icon would give Sydneysiders the opportunity to step back in time and take part in a series of exciting events.
"The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the show-stopping centrepiece of our beautiful harbour city, this is a great opportunity to showcase how proud we are of the role it plays in our city," Mr Perrottet said.
"Ninety years ago, the first trains and trams crossed and cars followed shortly after, with the bridge earning instant international acclaim which has grown over the years.
"Even now, it's an inspiration for everything we seek to build, functional, beautiful and built to a standard that has stood the test of time. It isn't just a tourist attraction, it remains a key artery for our city's beating heart."
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 19 March 1932 marked Sydney's coming of age as a global city.
"In the early days, the bridge was referred to as the 'Iron Lung' because it supported the city and provided work to its people through the Depression," Mrs Ward said.
"Today, the bridge remains a vital and beautiful piece of infrastructure that links the CBD with North Sydney, joins communities and supports our economy."
Minister for Heritage James Griffin said until the Sydney Harbour Bridge was finished in 1932, Sydney had been a divided city.
"Many of us now take this bridge for granted, but previously the only way across the harbour directly was via boat or ferry. Its construction connected communities and helped Sydney become the global success it is today," Mr Griffin said.
The 90th birthday celebrations begin with a light show and projections on the bridge pylons each evening from Thursday 17 March to Sunday 20 March.
Activities will include 100 members of the public being able to ride on the famous steam locomotive 3801 as it crosses the Bridge and is met by the vintage electric train set F1.
The 3801 will leave Central Station just after 9am on Saturday March 19. Tickets cost $100 each, with a maximum of two tickets per person.
A vintage electric train set, including Carriage C3426 that was part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening in 1932, will meet 3801 on the Bridge as a special salute. It will depart North Sydney station around 9am before making its way to Wynyard and then looping back to North Sydney. Return shuttles will run from North Sydney to Wynyard stations hourly between 10am and 4pm. F1 tickets will cost $10 each.
Historic double-decker vintage buses will operate every five minutes from North Sydney and Wynyard as well as vintage ferries between Milsons Point and Campbell Cove every 30 minutes. These will be a free 'turn up and go' service with the option to make a gold coin donation via tap card facilities.
Other highlights include:
- A walking tour around the CBD including a pop-up art gallery featuring images of historical moments;
- Dancers, buskers and theatrical performances between Town Hall and Campbells Cove;
- A community hub at Campbells Cove including a Welcome to Country, children's events and performances by Aria Award winners James Morrison and Christine Anu.
