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billmoy
billmoy
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Editor Pick

Sydney Tower Another Famous Sydney Landmark

  • May 17, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
Sydney Tower Another Famous Sydney Landmark

The tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere Sydney Tower is hard to miss - it resembles a giant steel pole skewering a golden marshmallow. We decided to see what it offered during our brief stay in Sydney. The tower (built 1970-1981) stands 309m high and on clear days the views from the 250-metre observation floor aided by free use of high-powered binoculars allows views over and area extending far beyond Sydney.

The windows stretch from floor to ceiling and slope inwards thus allowing a view straight down. The view is 360 degrees but because of other buildings being in the way the Opera House isn’t visible! Nevertheless the view is breathtaking and you can see for miles.

The harbour, to the north and east can be seen with the buildings lining its quays and the mix of yachts, other sailing craft and powered craft on the water. Manly appears in the further distance. The Harbour Bridge is also just visible past buildings in the view north. Looking South you can see as far as Botany Bay whose failure as a convict settlement led to the establishment of Sydney. The view to the west stretches as far as Paramatta and shows how far the conurbation has sprawled. To the north west the hazy Blue Mountains appear.

Short of taking a scenic flight, a visit to the top of this 1,000-foot golden-turret-topped spike is the best way to see Sydney's spectacular layout. Views from its observation deck encompass the entire Sydney metropolitan area of more than 1,560 square km (600 square miles).

The ticket price includes admission to OzTrek, where seat belts prevent visitors falling-out of their seats as the moving chairs jerk around in front of a 180-degree screen. Personally I didn’t find this a very comfortable experience. On this simulator ride, you white water raft in Queensland, climb Ayers Rock, and have a close meeting with a salt-water crocodile. It's a quick way of getting around - kids love it!

Following this other displays make use of holograms of real people to take visitors to other parts of Australia. By the end of OzTrek the visitor really has trekked over much of Australia while remaining seated.

Don't be too concerned if you feel the building tremble slightly, especially in a stiff breeze - it's natural. The tower is one of the safest constructions in the world and could withstand earthquakes and extreme wind conditions.

Although we didn’t try it I imagine the real adrenaline rush comes from SkyWalk, a guided walk outside and around the golden turret some 880 feet above the city. Harness lines attach walkers to the tower's superstructure and to keep them warm they wear special all-weather suits.

For those who work up an appetite, the building houses two restaurants in the turret. Personally I think holding the contents of my stomach if I tried a Skywalk might be my main concern.

The Sydney Tower is probably as famous a landmark in Sydney as the bridge and the opera house! Sitting on top of the Westfield Centrepoint shopping complex and reaching quite literally for the skies, it is visible right across the city and for miles beyond.

From journal In and Around Sydney

Sydney Tower (aka Centrepoint Tower)

  • November 30, 2004
  • Rated 3 of 5 by panda1 from ., California
Sydney Tower, aka Centrepoint Tower, and the Sky Tour last about an hour, pointing out the different places. 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

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

From journal SYD

Editor Pick

Sydney Tower

  • March 8, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by billmoy from Chicago, Illinois
Sydney Tower

This observation tower has had various names over the years since it debuted in 1981. It is part of the Centrepoint shopping complex, and it was formerly known as the AMP Tower Centrepoint or just AMP Tower. Now it has the simply generic moniker of Sydney Tower. It seems that since my visit in late 2001, they have removed the bizarre figures on top of the tower that looked like giant leftover figures from sporting trophies. This now gives the golden turret of the tower a cleaner look, although as is the case with most observation towers around the world, this one will not exactly win any design awards.

56 cables help to stabilize the tower, which is the tallest structure in Sydney at 305 meters above street level. Your admission ticket is good for both the Observation Deck and the Skytour. The elevators zip you up to the top of Sydney Tower in about forty seconds. The crowning turret contains the Observation Deck (250 meters above street level) and Skytour, restaurants and cafes, and private areas for telecommunications and other assorted technical activities.

The 420 windows of the tower allow for unparalleled panoramic views of Sydney and its surroundings. It is great to just walk around the indoor Observation Deck and name all the spectacular landmarks you can spot in the distance. It is not easy to take photos because of the glare and the glass, though it is fun trying. A good time to visit is before sunset so you can see Sydney by day and by night.

I did not have time to visit the Skytour, but it is advertised as a "Great Australian Expedition", some sort of multimedia extravaganza I am sure. I prefer to spend my time staring out at the real beauty of the city, although if I had barrels of extra time I may have enjoyed this "amazing virtual ride through time".

From journal Bill in Australia - SYDNEY

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