Available Formats
The Bridge: The epic story of an Australian icon - the Sydney Harbour Bridge
By (Author) Peter Lalor
Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin
2nd December 2025
Australia
General
Non Fiction
Architecture: public, commercial and industrial buildings
Paperback
384
Width 153mm, Height 234mm
Opened in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge remains the most recognisable symbol of Australia. The iconic arch took almost nine years to complete - at a cost of sixteen lives and more than six million pounds - and the people, political wranglings and incredible feats of engineering behind its creation have become the stuff of legend.
The Bridge brings to life the stories of those who dreamed it, built it and were drawn to it: Lennie Gwyther, the nine-year-old boy who made a 900-mile solo journey on horseback to witness the opening; Dr J.J.C. Bradfield who eventually realised his dream of connecting Sydney's two shores; Vince Kelly, the larger-than-life boilermaker who fell from the arch and survived; and many other fascinating characters.
This is the lively history of a bridge that has garnered the collective pride of the nation and become one of the world's most famous structures.
'. . . in world terms, that great arch defined Sydney and for the most part, Australia . . .' Hon. Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia
'Lalor has written a most intimately affectionate version of an epic story' Canberra Times
Peter Lalor is an award-winning journalist and author. He is the author of Blood Stain, winner of the Ned Kelly award for Best True Crime in 2003, of biographies of football legend Ron Barassi and cricketer Phillip Hughes, and editor of Australian Beer Yarns. He was the chief cricket writer for The Australian and a cricket commentator for Channel 7, and is currently a partner with Gideon Haigh in the podcast and Substack Cricket Et Al.
Sue Lalor is an artist and picture editor for The Bridge.
Peter and Sue live in Sydney.