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Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been given special permission to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge without safety harnesses.
The casually-dressed couple scaled the world-famous landmark on Wednesday as they prepared to leave Sydney to continue Mr Obama’s speaking tour in Melbourne.
The Obamas and their entourage were allowed to walk over the ‘Coathanger’ without having to wear the jumpsuits and safety apparatus usually required by operator BridgeClimb.
Daily Mail Australia understands the bridge visit, which included Secret Service agents, was coordinated by Transport for NSW after the authority was approached by the Obamas’ security team.
‘Today’s visit followed standard safety protocols that are in place for visiting dignitaries, and are regularly implemented,’ a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.
Former United States president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been given special permission to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge without safety harnesses
The casually-dressed couple scaled the world-famous landmark on Wednesday as they prepared to leave Sydney to continue Mr Obama’s speaking tour in Melbourne
The Obamas and their entourage were allowed to walk over the ‘Coathanger’ without having to wear the usual jumpsuits and safety apparatus required by operator BridgeClimb
The Obamas arrived about 10am before ascending 1,332 steps along the arch and standing 134m above the water with 360 degree views of the harbour.
After completing the walk, Mr Obama was seen accepting a souvenir BridgeClimb cap and talking to workers clad in high-visibility clothing.
Other world figures to have climbed the bridge include Prince Harry and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro and Pierce Brosnan have all reached the summit.
On Tuesday night Mr Obama gave a broad-ranging address to a sold-out crowd inside the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour.
The 61-year-old received a standing ovation from the 9,000-strong audience who heard him reveal reveal he once had a ‘crush’ on a Qantas flight attendant.
After completing the walk, Mr Obama was seen accepting a BridgeClimb cap and talking to workers clad in high-visibility clothing
A smiling Michelle Obama is pictured after climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday
The Obamas ascended 1,332 stairs along the arch and stood 134m above the water with 360 degree views of the spectacular harbour. The Obama entourage is pictured
As well as the sell-out crowd, around 500 people tuned into the talk online, with tickets to buy a link to the stream selling for around $400.
Those who wished to hear Obama speak had to dig deep into their pockets for a ticket, with a standard fare coming in at just under $200.
The event’s ‘platinum package’, which cost $895, featured a welcome cocktail at a one-hour drinks function, commemorative lanyard and signed copy of Mr Obama’s memoir.
With a further 10,500 to see Mr Obama talk at a Melbourne event on Wednesday night, he could be up for a payday upwards of $1 million.
Mr Obama opened his first talk by hailing Sydney and describing his love for the city.
‘Sydney is fantastic, we have had such a wonderful time here, it’s one of the world’s great cities,’ he told the audience.
BridgeClimb has welcomed more than 4million visitors from 140 different countries since it began operation in October 1998
Discussing his first time visiting the city an eight-year-old, he said: ‘I was travelling from Indonesia where my mother was living at the time, to my grandparents in Hawaii and I was travelling unaccompanied.’
‘We had to stop for a day for the connecting flight and Qantas stewardess took very good care of me. I had a big crush on her.
‘I felt very sophisticated, very worldly, travelling on my own and so that’s my first association with Sydney.
‘And it just keeps getting better every time I come back.’
The rapturous reception Mr Obama received on Tuesday night followed complaints earlier in the day from Sydney residents who objected to his huge ‘nuisance’ motorcade.
BridgeClimb has hosted more than 5,000 proposals and 30 weddings. Mr and Mrs Obama are pictured carefully coming down from the summit
Other world figures to have climbed the bridge include Prince Harry and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The Obamas are pictured coming down
The Obamas touched down in Australia on Sunday night and visited local landmarks including the Opera House and Balmoral Beach.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted Mr Obama at his Sydney residence Kirribilli House on Monday morning.
The two leaders were all smiles as they posed together, taking in the view by the harbour while holding black umbrellas amidst a light drizzle.
‘Honoured to welcome President @barackobama to Sydney,’ Mr Albanese captioned the post to Twitter, which has since been viewed more than one million times.
Mr Obama was spotted enjoying an afternoon coffee on Tuesday, while his wife took to Mosman Bay on a yacht, cruising around the harbour for about an hour.
BridgeClimb has welcomed more than 4million visitors from 140 different countries since it began operation in October 1998
Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro and Pierce Brosnan have all climbed the bridge
The couple has come under fire from residents who blasted the ‘nuisance’ motorcade that transported them through the city.
Some asked for information on who was paying for the convoy of black four-wheel-drives, while others questioned why Mr Obama had such a large security presence.
Taking to social media, one critic asked: ‘Barack Obama is running around the country with a 20 vehicle motorcade.
‘Why is the NSW taxpayer bearing the cost of his detail? For goodness sake, he’s going to make $1 million or more on his speaking tour, so HE should pay for it.’
The Obamas arrived for the climb just after 10am on Wednesday with a small entourage. Mr Obama is pictured after the climb
Another wrote: ‘One can only hope Barrack Obama and wife Michael waved to the homeless as he swept past in his taxpayer funded motorcade.’
While a third said: ‘Flew in on a private jet. Uses this many gas guzzlers & our police force because he’s ‘oh so important’.
‘Lectures us on climate change.’
Mr Obama’s last official visit to Australia was for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014.
BridgeClimb has welcomed more than 4million visitors from 140 different countries since it began operation in October 1998. It has hosted more than 5,000 proposals and 30 weddings.
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