Sky Tower, Television tower in Auckland, New Zealand
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Location: Auckland Region
Inception: 1997
Official opening: 1997
Floors above the ground: 4
Elevators: 4
Height: 328 m
Website: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/attractions/sky-tower
GPS coordinates: -36.84847,174.76231
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01
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 building reflects a unique architectural approach and technical innovations tailored to its environment. The selection spans all continents and features buildings with various functions. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, 452 meters high and connected by a sky bridge, stand alongside New York’s One World Trade Center, which reaches 541 meters. The Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg is notable for its twisted glass facade, while the Torre Costanera in Santiago offers panoramic views of the Andes. Whether residential buildings like the Eureka Tower in Melbourne or commercial structures such as the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, these constructions demonstrate how contemporary architecture shapes 21st-century cities.
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, whether through modern installations or natural sites. Among the destinations are TILT Chicago, a platform that tilts above the city from the 94th floor, and Trolltunga in Norway, a rocky formation protruding 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. In China, the Zhangjiajie glass bridge spans 430 meters between two cliffs, while in Ecuador, the Banos swing enables swinging facing the Tungurahua volcano. Other sites like the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, the Royal Gorge suspension bridge in Colorado, or the Hanging Temple in Datong showcase the diversity of these places. These destinations are aimed at travelers seeking different sensations and wishing to discover panoramas from unusual positions. Some sites require good physical condition, others are accessible to all. It is advisable to check access conditions and consider your tolerance for heights before planning your visit.
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 reached by ferry. The coastline shifts between the sheltered eastern beaches such as Mission Bay and Takapuna Beach and the black sand western shores at Piha and Bethells Beach, where the Pacific meets the Waitakere Ranges directly. The Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland Domain holds Polynesian collections and New Zealand military history, while Auckland Art Gallery displays European and indigenous art. Viaduct Harbour serves as a dining precinct and departure point for harbor cruises, and the New Zealand Maritime Museum documents the country's seafaring past. Karangahape Road gathers alternative shops and nightlife, Ponsonby draws an older crowd with cafés and boutiques. Britomart clusters restaurants and design stores in converted waterfront buildings. Waiheke Island hosts wineries such as Mudbrick Vineyard and Man O' War Vineyards scattered among vineyards and bays, while Tantalus Estate operates in West Auckland. Auckland Botanic Gardens present native plant species across 158 acres, and Auckland Zoo keeps over 1,400 animals. Queen Street runs through the center from the harbor to the University of Auckland, and Sky Tower stands 1,076 feet (328 meters) above the city. This selection covers the main sites for understanding Auckland's geography and range.
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