Sky Tower, Television tower in Auckland, New Zealand
Description
The Sky Tower is a television and observation tower in Auckland reaching 328 meters (1076 feet) high, featuring three viewing platforms that offer sightlines extending up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) across the city and its surroundings. The structure serves both as a broadcasting facility and a tourist destination, with a restaurant and café positioned at different heights within the tower.
History
Construction started in 1994 and required 15,000 cubic meters (530,000 cubic feet) of concrete along with 2,660 tons (5.9 million pounds) of steel before the tower opened in 1997. The project was designed as part of a larger urban development that aimed to reshape the waterfront district.
Culture
The name combines the English word for heaven with a term for a tall structure, and the spire lights up at night in changing colors that mark important celebrations or events across the country. Visitors often notice how the color scheme shifts with the season or current occasion, turning the structure into a widely visible signal for the city.
Practical
Four elevators carry visitors up to the different levels, with the ride taking about 40 seconds and the viewing platforms offering the clearest views on calm days. Those comfortable with heights can walk across the glass floor sections on one of the levels, while the restaurant rotates slowly to provide a full circle of views.
Did you know?
The structure features sections of 38-millimeter (1.5-inch) thick glass set into the floor of one platform, allowing a direct downward view from 186 meters (610 feet) above ground. These transparent panels challenge many visitors because they reveal an unobstructed view of the ground far below.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Auckland Region).
This collection brings together skyscrapers that showcase advances in modern engineering and architecture worldwide. These structures rise above metropolises and reshape city horizons, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the CCTV headquarters in Beijing with its two linked towers. Each...
This collection gathers sites where architecture and nature combine to offer extraordinary experiences. From urban observation platforms to natural geological formations, these destinations allow observing the world from remarkable viewpoints. Each location presents a different approach to altitude,...
Auckland sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea on a narrow isthmus marked by roughly 50 extinct volcanic cones. Mount Eden and One Tree Hill rise above the neighborhoods and offer views across the harbor, while Rangitoto stands as the largest volcanic island in the region and can be...
New Zealand's North Island holds much of the country's population and has a wide variety of landscapes. This list includes 35 places that show what you can see there: cities like Auckland and Wellington, active volcanoes, geothermal areas where the ground steams and boils, black or golden beaches,...
St Patrick's Cathedral
243 m
Auckland Peering Exchange
20 m
New Vision Gallery
273 m
Denis Cohn Gallery
207 m
Bluestone Store
234 m
Victoria Residences
58 m
T & G Insurance Building
224 m
Crombie Lockwood Tower
258 m
Hampton Court
217 m
National Bank Tower
232 m
Shakespeare Hotel
249 m
Smith & Caughey Building
268 m
Berlei Building
232 m
St Patrick's Presbytery
245 m
Victopia
195 m
Whitcoulls Building
301 m
City Gardens Apartments
201 m
Public Trust Office
248 m
Altitude Apartments
125 m
Lister House
300 m
Strand Arcade
242 m
Landmark House
259 mSkyCity Theatre
160 mAuckland Green Gecko
72 mFont
276 mMataaoho
145 mScenic viewpoint
11 mThe Harvey Tree
124 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes