Heart of the Nation

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was well underway in October 1926, with concrete piers completed and initial steel components arriving for its massive arch. More than a century later, the bridge remains a celebrated engineering marvel and iconic feature of Sydney’s skyline, inspiring artists like Cushla Monk who capture its unique beauty.

One hundred years ago, in October 1926, early construction efforts were well underway for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a landmark infrastructure project that would come to define the city's skyline. At that point, the groundwork had progressed significantly, with concrete piers supporting the approach spans on both sides of the harbor completed. The initial steel components for one of the bridge’s four main bearings—critical elements that would carry the weight of the 53,000-tonne steel arch—had recently arrived by ship and were stored at workshops in Milsons Point. Despite this progress, the bridge’s official opening was still more than five years away.

Reflecting on the bridge’s enduring presence, photographer Cushla Monk captured a striking moment beneath the structure earlier this year. On the morning of May 16, at 6:30 a.m., Monk arrived at Dawes Point under the southern end of the bridge. The city was shrouded in fog, obscuring even the Sydney Opera House. As the sun rose, the fog began to lift, revealing a dramatic interplay of light and shadow as sunbeams filtered through the steel girders. Over the next two hours, Monk documented an atmospheric scene she described as “beautiful and surreal,” one that left a lasting impression.

Monk, who moved to Sydney from New Zealand at age 19, has a background as a draughtswoman focused on engineering projects. This professional experience likely informs her appreciation for the bridge, which she often features in her artistic work. She notes the elegant sweeping lines of the approach span visible from the north side, and the imposing presence of the 503-meter-long arch when viewed directly from beneath. Despite its massive steel construction, Monk said the bridge possesses “its own kind of beauty and grace” and remains “an incredible feat of engineering.”

The Sydney Harbour Bridge continues to be admired both for its historical significance as a major engineering achievement and for its aesthetic impact on the cityscape more than a century after construction began.

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