SYDNEY TOWER

About Sydney Tower :

Sydney Tower is Sydney's tallest freestanding structure, and the second tallest in Australia (after the Q1 building on the Gold Coast). The views from the tower are breathtaking and take in from as close as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House to sights as far away as the beaches to the mountains. The tower stands 305 metres above the Sydney CBD, being located at 100 Market Street, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets.

The tower has a capacity of 960 persons, and contains two levels of restaurants, a coffee lounge, an Observation Deck, two telecommunication transmission levels and three plant levels. The tower is open to the public, and is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city, being visible from a number of vantage points throughout town and from adjoining suburbs.

History :

Construction of the office building commenced in 1970, and tower construction began in 1975. Public access to the tower, at the time the fourth tallest building in the world, began in September 1981. The total cost of construction was A$ 36 million. Prior to construction of the tower, the height limit in Sydney had been set at 279 m, to allow for safe overflights by flying boats, an aircraft type that had been obsolescent for almost two decades.

Tower Sections :

There are three main sections of the tower open to public access. One is the observation deck at 250 metres above ground level with a fully-enclosed viewing platform featuring 360 degree views of the city and surrounds. This floor also features a small gift shop, a readout displaying data on the conditions of the tower (wind speed, direction and sway amplitude).

The Sydney Tower Skywalk platform at 268 metres above ground level has an open-air viewing platform only accessible as part of planned and booked tours. There are also revolving restaurants, one à la carte and one buffet. The buffet restaurant was recently (2006) renovated. It seats 220 people, and serves 185,000 customers annually, of which 50,000 are international visitors, mostly from Asia.

Details :

To get there one can travel in one of three high speed double deck Lifts take approximately 40 seconds to travel from top to bottom or if you register for the annual Sydney Tower Run-Up you can get there by climbing 1504 stairs.

Cultural events Leading up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the tower was decorated with sculptures of athletes, which were positioned above the main body of the tower and in some cases overhung the edges. These sculptures were removed in 2003 and relocated to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Ticket :

Get in early and grab the best seats in the house for Sydney's top views for the New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations. Your admission ticket is good for both the Observation Deck and the Skytour. The 420 windows of the tower allow for unparalleled panoramic views of Sydney and its surroundings.

A good time to visit is before sunset so you can see Sydney by day and by night. Better to see around the city first, prior to visiting this place, and come for the tour as it approaches twilight, as the sky darkens and the city lights are on. Sun-Fri: 9am-10:30pm, Sat: 9am-11:30pm.

Rate :

Admission Adult $22, child (3-15) $13.20, under 3 free, senior/concession $15.85. Credit cards accepted.