The founder of Sydney's Harbour Bridge climb experience has lost its contract after 20 years in business, with the NSW government handing operations to another company.
The operators of Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, the most visited privately-owned tourist attraction in Australia, has been awarded a 20-year contract, the NSW Roads and Maritime Services announced on Friday.
Family business Hammons Holdings will take over from BridgeClimb Sydney on October 1.
It is promising new climb routes, improved accessibility and a "more interactive visitor experience".
Chief executive David Hammons also wants the climb to be more affordable.
"We want to make it a must-see destination for Sydneysiders and visitors to Sydney, regardless of physical or financial restraints," he said in a statement.
"Underpinning our vision for the bridge is the idea of improving accessibility for the public and bringing it to life with new technology, so that more visitors can experience this iconic landmark in a safe and sustainable way."
There was also potential to boost the flow of visitors between the Blue Mountains and Harbour Bridge, creating economic opportunities for western Sydney, he said.
Mr Hammons acknowledged the pioneering work of Paul Cave, who founded the tourist attraction in 1998.
Since its opening, millions of people have climbed the Harbour Bridge - including a long list of celebrities such as Oprah, Hugh Jackman, Ben Stiller, Gigi Hadid and Heidi Klum.
Mr Cave, BridgeClimb Sydney chairman, thanked customers and climbers - labelling it "the end of a wonderful era".
"It has been a privilege for us to make a hero of the bridge, and of every climber on every climb," he said in a statement.
"We will continue to create unforgettable memories until our final climber."
The NSW government's decision to put the contract in new hands came following a competitive process with 13 expressions of interest from Australian and international tenderers, the RMS said.
"The government is excited to be ushering in a new chapter for what is one of Sydney's, if not Australia's, most iconic structures," a spokesperson said.
