Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in the city and the second tallest in Australia, standing 305 metres over Sydney's commercial business district. It is popular for its observation deck, which stands 250 metres above the ground and provides a spectacular 360-degree view of the city and the surrounding areas. Towering over two other Australian landmarks, the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge, it also ranks as the 25th tallest structure on the globe and the 2nd in the whole Southern Hemisphere.

Background

Sydney's world-famous landmark was constructed in the late 1970's, starting with the office complex, which was completed in 1974. The centrepoint opened its first 52 shops in 1972. The actual tower construction started in 1975, and the the public was allowed access to the tower in September 1981. Today, it can accommodate 960 people and three high-speed double-deck elevators take visitors up the observation deck in about 40 seconds. The tower also has a coffee lounge, two levels for telecommunication transmission and three plant levels.

The Sydney Tower is listed among the safest buildings and structures in the world, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and earthquakes. It is held securely by 56 cables that are 182 metres in length each. These cables take the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid and surround the steel shaft of the tower. The turret houses a tank that holds 162,000 litres of water, which serves as the tower's stabilizer against the wind and as water source for the fire sprinkler system.

Things to do

Tourists and locals can explore three main sections of the tower. First is the observation deck with an enclosed viewing platform where visitors can see the famous 360-degree view. This shares the same floor with a tiny gift shop and a panel where the tower's conditions--wind speed, direction, and sway amplitude--are displayed. Second is the Sydney Tower Skywalk, an oepn air glass bottomed platform, sits 268 meters above the ground and features an open-air platform that is open only for booked tours. The third area has the two revolving restaurants in the tower, an a la carte and a buffet restaurant. The buffet restaurant was renovated in 2006 and features a lighted tortoiseshell bar that moves with the restaurant. These restaurants have gained popularity for the breathtaking views of Sydney coupled with the superb dining experience.

Skywalk

One of the main attractions of the majestic landmark is the Sydney Tower Skywalk, an open-air viewing platform with glass flooring that revolves around the Sydney Tower. The Skywalk was designed for four years and built for two months. It was opened to the public on October 18, 2005. Skywalkers are given a briefing for safety measures, geared with Skysuits and harnessed on safety rails. A skywalk lasts for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including briefing and gearing up. Visitors are not permitted to take loose objects to the Skywalk, including cameras. Souvenir pictures, however, will be taken by Skyguides with cameras to the platform and they can be purchased after the skywalk. The Skywalk is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily.

Tourists flock to Sydney Tower for the captivating views that are unparalleled by other attractions all over the country. On a cloudless day, Sydney Tower gives a spectacular view of locations from distances of up to 85 miles that include the Central Coast in the north, Illawara Escarpment in the south and Blue Mountains in the west. With exquisite fine dining and mesmerizing views of the city, the Sydney Tower boasts of a memorable and exciting tourist adventure like no other on the globe.