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Sydney Harbour Bridge, which towers 134 metres above the harbour, turns 75 this year and, in celebration of its longevity and iconic status, it will close for one day on March 18th.

The day's celebrations will include mass congregations on the bridge, which usually hosts six lanes of road traffic, as well as displays of military might and historic splendour from Australia's seaborne vehicles and aircraft.

In the evening, events will take a novel turn in what is being officially described as an "indigenous smoking ceremony".

The 'coathanger' bridge was built at the height of the Depression in 1932, and has been viewed as a symbolic triumph over the hardships of that era.

Since 1998, tourists have tackled the bridge head on with the three and a half hour 'BridgeClimb' which takes place, weather permitting, on its southern edge.

Its 18.5-hour closure on March 18th will be the longest period of reprieve the bridge has had since it opened a well-earned rest for its mighty structures.

Though it has closed for major celebrations and demonstrations before, this is the bridge's first birthday party.

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