Sydney Harbor Bridge closes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins 50,000 strong crowd to march on final day of WorldPride
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins WorldPride protesters
- 50,000 march across Harbor Bridge to signal the end of the festival
- Parties and concerts to round off a very busy weekend in the city
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined 50,000 people in a march across Sydney’s Harbor Bridge to mark the final day of the WorldPride festival.
The bridge was closed to traffic as Mr Albanese and other high-profile names such as actor Sam Neill joined the procession on Sunday.
The Pride March is the first ever held in the Southern Hemisphere and marked the end of 17 days of all things LGBTIQA+.
‘A bridge symbolizes bringing people together. And this is about bringing the Australian community together, celebrating diversity,” Mr Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured left) has joined 50,000 people in a march across the Sydney Harbor Bridge to mark the end of the WorldPride festival
The march made for a spectacular sight as it moved across the bridge to end the 17-day festival
“(It’s) also acknowledging that around the world, at WorldPride, many people are still suffering because of who they are, because of their sexuality.
‘This is a great metropolis. And we take advantage of the diversity that is here in this great city. And we celebrate that today.’
Sam Neill said the march was a historic moment for the LGBTQI+ community.
“I’m marching with my friends in solidarity and it’s a great day out,” he said.
“I’m marching against homophobia. There’s still too much of that.’
Crowds gathered in North Sydney to take the scenic tour that ends at the Domain and Hyde Park in the center of the city.
Motorists have been advised to use the Harbor Tunnel as the bridge and the Cahill Expressway are closed to traffic from 4am to 11:30am.
Buses stop at North Sydney Sydney Harbor Bridge and at the CBD northbound until 11am, but trains run normally.
Other main roads in the Sydney CBD, including Macquarie Street and College Street, are closed until 12pm, with parking restrictions and vehicles blocking special event thoroughfares being towed away.
Oxford Street between Flinders Street and Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst will remain closed until 4.30am Monday to make room for the WorldPride street party.
All northbound lanes of Flinders Street between Moore Park Road and Oxford Street will also be closed.
Trains continue to run over the bridge, but it was closed to all other traffic and motorists were advised to take alternative routes
Motorists are advised to avoid the area or be prepared for delays on detour routes through Kings Cross and Surry Hills, including William Street and Cleveland Street.
Buses will also be diverted around the road closures in Darlinghurst until 4:30am Monday.
The Sunday morning march is followed by a street party on Oxford Street and a closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon for 20,000 people at the Domain.
The domain will host DJs and performances from Ava Max, Kim Petras, MUNA, Keiynan Lonsdale, G Flip, Peach PRC, Alter Boy, BVT and Vetta Borne at 3pm.
Oxford Street revelers can enjoy free performances by Australian talents including Vassy and Chela.
Sydney has been a mecca of entertainment over the past weekend with well-attended concerts from Harry Styles, the Backstreet Boys and Taiwanese singer Jay Chou on Saturday night.
Also on Saturday night, Bondi Beach saw performances by Australian DJs, as well as international pop star Nicole Scherzinger performing to around 15,000 people from a makeshift stage on the sand.