Sydney Harbour Bridge is shut down as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins 50,000-strong crowd to march on final day of WorldPride
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins WorldPride marchers
- 50,000 to march over Harbour Bridge to signal festival’s end
- Parties and concerts to round off a very busy weekend in city
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined 50,000 people marching across Sydney‘s Harbour Bridge to mark the last day of the WorldPride festival.
The bridge was shut down 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 one to ever be held in the southern hemisphere and marked an end to 17 days of celebrating all things LGBTIQA+.
‘A bridge symbolises bringing people together. And this is about bringing together the Australian community, celebrating diversity,’ Mr Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured left) has joined 50,000 people marching over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the end of the WorldPride festival
The march made a for a spectacular sight as it headed over the bridge to bring to an end the 17-day festival
‘(It is) also acknowledging that around the world, at WorldPride, that many people still suffer because of who they are, because of their sexuality.
‘This is a great global city. And we benefit from the diversity that’s here in this great city. And we’re celebrating 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 around.’
Comedian and actor Magda Szubanski was also spotted among the marchers.
Crowds assembled at North Sydney to make the scenic trek which ends at the Domain and Hyde Park in the city’s centre.
Motorists have been advised to use the Harbour Tunnel with the bridge and Cahill Expressway shut to traffic from 4am to 11.30am.
Buses are terminating at North Sydney Sydney Harbour Bridge and at the CBD heading north until 11am but trains will run as normal.
Other major roads in the Sydney CBD, including Macquarie Street and College Street will be closed until 12pm, with parking restrictions in place and vehicles blocking special event clearways being towed.
Oxford Street between Flinders Street and Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst will remain closed until 4.30am Monday to leave space for the WorldPride street party.
All northbound lanes of Flinders Street between Moore Park Road and Oxford Street will also be shut.
Trains continue to run across the bridge but it was closed to all other traffic with motorists 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 divert around the road closures in Darlinghurst until 4.30am Monday.
Sunday morning’s march will be followed by a street party on Oxford Street and a closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon for 20,000 people in the Domain.
The Domain will host DJs and performances by Ava Max, Kim Petras, MUNA, Keiynan Lonsdale, G Flip, Peach PRC, Alter Boy, BVT, and Vetta Borne beginning at 3pm.
Oxford Street partygoers can enjoy free performances by Australian talents including Vassy, and Chela.
Sydney has been a mecca of entertainment over the weekend with sell-out concerts by 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 for around 15,000 people from a make-shift stage on the sand.
