Sky Tower

The highest tower in the Southern Hemisphere

Address

Corner Victoria & Federal Streets, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

GPS: -36.847930629416, 174.76268720605

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The Sky Tower offers a remarkable experience in the tallest freestanding structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere and the 28th tallest tower in the world. It is designed to withstand all kinds of weather conditions and towers above the Eureka Tower and Q1 Tower (Queensland Number One), two skyscrapers on Australia’s east coast that are a decade older than the Sky Tower.

The 328-metre-high Sky Tower is primarily an observation and telecommunications tower in Auckland’s business district. It is the main radio transmitter in the New Zealand capital. Designed by architect Gordon Moller, this artificial needle-shaped tower has three observation platforms at different levels. These platforms offer panoramic views over Auckland and the surrounding area, more than 80 kilometres away. From the top, you can see the Auckland Isthmus (linking North Island to the Northland Peninsula), Waitematā Harbour, Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel Peninsula and the volcanic islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu and Waiheke in the distance. The upper floors of the Sky Tower feature coffee bars, restaurants (including New Zealand’s only revolving restaurant), a casino (Skycity Auckland, the country’s largest), a 700-seat theatre, shops and two high-end hotels. The leisure complex is complemented by a modern convention centre in an adjacent building.

Now a natural part of Auckland’s cityscape, the Sky Tower offers a variety of services and attractions. It includes skydiving and adventure activities in a unique urban setting. The SkyJump (a cable-tied jump from the ledge) and a Skywalk (a suspended walk along a narrow footbridge) provide an epic adventure at 192 metres above sea level. Every year, thanks to different time zones, the world’s first major fireworks display and light show is launched from the Sky Tower leading in the new year to a special event followed by the world’s media. The fireworks, sound and light show brings together a multitude of New Zealanders and travellers from all over the world.

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  • An icon of the city of Auckland because of its height and shape
  • The spectacular view of the harbour; bird’s eye view of Auckland from the 220-metre-high Sky Deck
  • The SkyWalk and SkyJump thrill rides (to book online)
  • The lifts lead to the 52 glass-walled floors (or the 1,267 steps to climb) and the main observation deck
  • Illumination of the tower at night (with different colours depending on the nature of the events)
  • Various services (restaurants, casino, bars, theatre, shops, hotels, business centre)
  • The Orbit restaurant (level 52) which rotates hourly; The Sugar Club gourmet restaurant on level 53
  • Watching a sunset from the top of the tower
  • Proximity to Auckland’s main cultural and tourist sites: Auckland War Memorial Museum (large collection of Maori art), New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa, Eden Park Rugby Stadium (opened in 1900 with a capacity of 50,000), chic Parnell suburb, daily fish market in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland docks and harbour, Viaduct Harbour (the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere), ferry lines from Auckland to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf…
  • The Sky Tower was built in just 2 years and 9 months in the mid-1990s. The tallest building in a country prone to frequent earthquakes (the tower can withstand tremors located within a 20 km radius with a magnitude of up to level 8 on the Richter scale). It can also withstand wind gusts of over 200 km/h and is designed to sway up to one metre in excessively high winds.
  • SkyCity Entertainment Group, which owns the Sky Tower, also owns the SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre and several casino complexes in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Auckland is known for having the largest concentration of yachts and boats in the Southern Hemisphere and the highest proportion of yachts per capita in the world. This has earned it the nickname “City of Sails”.
  • The tower and its leisure areas are accessible all year round, 24/7.
  • Call the Sky Tower before visiting as it may be closed temporarily due to adverse weather conditions.

Where to eat

  • Best Ugly Bagels
    (delicious bread rolls)
  • Elliott Stables
    (a melting pot of world cuisines)
  • Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
    (popular oyster bar)

Where to go

  • Auckland Art Gallery
    (superb art museum)
  • Auckland Domain
    (green haven)
  • Rangitoto Island
    (island reserve)

Where to stay

  • Attic Backpackers
    (close to the Sky Tower)
  • Braemar on Parliament Street...
    (historical residence)
  • Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
    (on the marina)