After having recently told you about the essential activities in Auckland, I decided to devote an article dedicated to the Sky Tower d’Auckland. This tower is none other than the symbol of the city. The tallest tower in the southern hemisphere is a real landmark for tourists passing through Auckland. An unmissable activity in the city, the Sky Tower offers a large number of activities. Casino, restaurants or jumps, I tell you everything in this article dedicated to the Sky Tower of Auckland.
Summary:
> The history of the Sky Tower
> Visit Auckland's Sky Tower
> Dinner at the Sky Tower: Restaurants and cafe
> Sky Jump and Sky Walk: Thrills at the Sky Tower
> Sky Tower: Access and parking
> BONUS: Best photo spots of Auckland Sky Tower Direct link :
This link allows you to directly book your entry to the Sky Tower of Auckland Entry to the Sky Tower of Auckland Related articles:
> Top 10 must-do activities in New Zealand
> Cruise in Milford Sound
> What to do in Auckland: Must-do activities
The history of the Sky Tower
The story begins in 1994, the year the construction of Auckland's Sky Tower began. This construction will last 3 years and will therefore end in 1997 with an inauguration on August 3.
The total cost of construction is estimated at 76 million New Zealand dollars, or approximately 44 million euros. The Sky Tower is 328 meters tall which, surprisingly, makes it the tallest building in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
The tower can be visited, of course, it is even the number 1 attraction of the city of Auckland. More than 400 visitors come to the Sky Tower every year.
The tower has two restaurants, a café, which we will discuss below, two observation platforms and an outdoor area dedicated to the tower's two flagship activities: Sky Walk and Sky Jump.
If you are staying in central Auckland and going out in the evening, then you cannot miss the lighting of the Sky Tower. Indeed it is, every evening, lit. The color of its lighting changes according to the time of year but especially according to the news.
Here are some examples of lighting:
- Blue for "Auckland Blues" which concerns the union of professional Super Rugby teams
- Pink for the fight against breast cancer
- Red and green for the children's hospital or for Christmas
- Red and Gold for Chinese New Year
- Red, white and pink for Valentine's Day
- Green for Saint Patrick's Day
- Red for the America's Cup or for ANZAC Day
- Gold in the event of a gold medal at the Olympic Games
- Blue and orange for Easter
- Orange, purple and green for Halloween
- The tower is rarely extinguished: on the occasion of "Earth Hour", "Memorial Day" or national days of mourning
Auckland CBD from Mount Eden
Sky Tower et Sky City
People often confuse Sky Tower with Sky City (which you will see written everywhere inside the Sky Tower). The Sky Tower is the tower itself, while the Sky City is the much larger complex of which the Sky Tower is a part.
Sky City includes, for example, a casino, the largest in New Zealand, a conference center, many restaurants, cafes and also three hotels. This complex opened its doors in February 1996, a year and a half before the inauguration of the Sky Tower. It was renovated in 1. In 2006, the construction of a "convention center" with a capacity of 2019 people is planned.
Visit Auckland's Sky Tower
Visiting the Auckland Sky Tower is therefore a must-do activity. For this, several options are available to you. The simple visit, which will take you to the observation platform, a meal in a restaurant on the tower or the thrilling activities Sky Walk and Sky Jump.
Sky Tower Observation Decks TicketEntrance fee for a visit to the Sky Tower:
Let's start for the simple visit. Note that it is advisable to purchase your Sky Tower admission tickets in advance. The entrance fee for the Sky Tower is:
- $29 (around €15) for an adult
- $12 (around €8) for children aged 6 to 14
- free for less than 6 years
Note that it is possible, for an additional $4 (about €2), to have an option to come back a second time within 24 hours of your first entry. This option "Sun and Stars", understand "Day and Night" allows you to come once during the day, then in the evening when the city is lit.
The visit includes climbing the tower (by elevator, don't worry), as well as access to 3 levels:
- The Sky Café at 182 meters in height: A café where you can take the time to contemplate the view
- The main observation platform at 186 meters high: A platform with, in places, a transparent glass floor!
- The "Sky Deck", a second platform 220 meters high: The bridge from which the Sky Walk and Sky Jump activities depart
Sky Tower opening hours:
The Sky Tower is open 365 days a year.
From May to October (winter in New Zealand), the opening hours are: From 9am to 22pm
From November to April, the opening hours are: From 8 a.m. to 30 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 22 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Allow about 1 hour to visit the tower and enjoy the view.
Book your Sky Tower ticketsDinner at the Sky Tower: Restaurants and cafe
The Sky Tower includes a café: the Sky Café as well as two restaurants, the Orbit 360 restaurant and the Sugar Club.
Sky Cafe:
The Sky Café is therefore the café of the tower. Located 182 meters high, entry to the café is included in the price of entry to the Sky Tower ($29). The café allows you to enjoy the incredible view of Auckland and its region while enjoying an ice cream, a glass of wine or a plate of cheese.
The Orbit 360 :
"The Orbit 360" is the name of one of the restaurants in the Sky Tower. The restaurant offers modern and refined cuisine in a sumptuous setting. The restaurant pivots on itself, slowly, as your meal progresses. You can enjoy a magnificent view of Auckland without moving and enjoying a delicious meal.
The restaurant "The Orbit 360" is open for lunch, between 11 a.m. and 30 p.m., and in the evening between 14 p.m. and 25 p.m.
The average price of a lunch meal is $30 (around €18) and $40 for dinner (around €25).
Note that for a bill of more than $40, the ascent of the tower is free. You can even enter up to 45 minutes before your reservation time to take advantage of the observation platforms.
Reservations are essential if you wish to eat at “The Orbit 360” restaurant.
The Sugar Club :
The "Sugar Club" is the second restaurant in the Sky Tower, a more upscale restaurant offering very refined cuisine. The restaurant is run by a renowned chef: Peter Gordon. The restaurant offers private rooms for special events. Count at least $70 per person for the cheapest menu and up to $110 for the most complete menu.
For more information on Sky Tower restaurants, visit the official SkyCity website.
It is possible to opt for a Meal + SkyWalk combination. A complete excursion to discover the Sky Tower.
Sky Jump and Sky Walk: Thrills at the Sky Tower
Now let's move on to the two star attractions of Auckland's Sky Tower: Sky Walk and Sky Jump. These two activities take place 192 meters above the ground, on the Sky Deck platform.
Let's start with the Sky jump. Sky Jump is not bungee jumping. Indeed, even if you throw yourself into the void, you are not held back by a rubber band but by a bar fixed at each end to two cables. The freefall lasts about 11 seconds. You will reach the speed of 85 km/h before being slowed down and then stopped gently.
Book Sky Jump
skywalk meanwhile is not a jump. The principle is to walk, outside, on the Sky Deck at 192 meters in height. Securely attached, you go around the platform to enjoy a breathtaking view of Auckland.
Book Sky Walk
Sky Tower: Access and parking
The Sky Tower is located in the center of Auckland, at the intersection of Victoria Street and Hobson Street, a hundred meters from Queen Street.
On the parking side, it is possible to park in the Sky Tower car park, underground, however the price is high. $15 for the first hour then $5,50 for the following hours. If you go to The Orbit restaurant then you can benefit from a reduction of $5 for the first hour and $3 for the following hours.
On the transport side, many bus lines stop on Queen Street, in particular in front of the Civic Theater. The nearest train station will be Britomart, down Queen Street.
BONUS: Best Photo Spots of Auckland Sky Tower
If you are a photography enthusiast then you will love the Sky Tower. Ultra photogenic, this tower is a pleasure to photograph, day and night.
Here are some photo spots that I found quite cool to photograph the Sky Tower.
Wynyard Quarter : Stand just after Wynyard Crossing (the pedestrian bridge connecting the Viaduct district to Wynyard). You will be able to enjoy a relatively close view of the Sky Tower and the surrounding towers with, in the foreground, the boats of the marina.
Installed By : From Mount Eden the view of the CBD and the Sky Tower is breathtaking. Meet at the end of the day, when the sun is setting to take sublime shots of downtown Auckland and its emblematic tower. An ideal spot for night photos.
Devonport : Meet across the bay in Devonport. Further away, this spot also offers an overview of the Auckland Skyline.
