Dominating the cityscape and reaching a dizzying 328 metres above the ground, the Sky Tower is the iconic feature of the Auckland skyline and the city’s most prominent landmark. Views from the top stretch as far as 80 kilometres in all directions on a clear day, taking in the entire city, the harbour and the surrounding mountains.
There are three glass elevators, which will whisk you 186 metres above the city to the observation decks. These carry up to 220 people and depart every quarter of an hour, so you won’t ever have long to wait. At the main observation deck, look down through the glass floors, explore the city using touch-screen computers and send a postcard back home from the highest post box in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
To venture even higher, there’s the Sky Deck, which costs a little more on top of your main ticket. It’s well worth the extra as you’ll be rewarded with an incredible vista from 220 metres up.
If you’re not afraid of heights and are looking for a thrill, try the Sky Jump, a cable-controlled jump from nearly 200 metres above the ground. You’ll plunge at up to 80 kilometres per hour in just 11 seconds before reaching a controlled stop on the ground. If this is a bit too daring, instead you can be strapped into a harness and walk around the edge of the tower along a thin platform 194 metres above the ground.
The tower also boasts three restaurants, so you can dine accompanied by magnificent views over Auckland. The tower’s fine-dining restaurant rotates 360 degrees every hour so the vista slowly changes while you enjoy great food. There is also a café, lounge bar, and an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The tower is easy to reach on foot or by public transport, or if you’re coming by car, there’s discounted parking in the Skycity car park. The tower is open until late throughout the week.
