New South Wales · Attraction
Sea Cliff Bridge
Coastal engineering above the Tasman
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Sea Cliff Bridge carries Lawrence Hargrave Drive along the face of the Illawarra escarpment between Coalcliff and Clifton, sitting up to 41 metres above the Pacific Ocean. Opened in December 2005 and spanning 455 metres of balanced cantilever concrete, the bridge replaced a permanently closed cliff road and has since become one of the most photographed structures in New South Wales.
A dedicated pedestrian walkway runs the full length of the bridge, giving walkers uninterrupted views of the Tasman Sea on one side and sheer sandstone escarpment on the other. The return walk takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes at a leisurely pace with stops for photos. Whale watching from the bridge is popular between May and November during the annual migration season.
The bridge sits along the Grand Pacific Drive, a scenic coastal route between Sydney and Wollongong that passes through several small clifftop villages. Parking is available at the Clifton end of the bridge, with additional spaces opposite the Clifton School of Arts. Coalcliff train station is roughly a 15-minute walk away.
There is no entry fee and the bridge is open at all hours. The lookout above the bridge on Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops offers a bird's-eye view of the full structure and is a popular spot for sunrise photographers.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Sea Cliff Bridge.
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