Sky Tower

The Sky Tower opened in 1997 and at 328 metres is the tallest free-standing structure in the southern hemisphere, built as a reinforced concrete shaft designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake at a distance of twenty kilometres and winds of two hundred kilometres an hour - the engineering was the point, on a site in a country that moves. The main observation level at 186 metres has glass floor panels you can stand on, which is where most visitors either linger or refuse. Above it, SkyWalk takes harnessed groups onto an open external platform a metre and a half wide with no handrail at 192 metres, and SkyJump drops people off the side on a guided cable at about eighty-five kilometres an hour. The tower is lit at night in colours marking causes and events. It is central, expensive, and the view covers both harbours and out to Rangitoto.

What you actually see

• The 186-metre level - glass floor panels over the drop.
• SkyWalk - a metre-and-a-half external ledge, harnessed, no rail.
• SkyJump - the guided cable descent off the side.
• The two-harbour view - Waitemata, Manukau and Rangitoto.

When to go

Any time; sunset gives the day and night views on one ticket. Book SkyWalk and SkyJump ahead. They are cancelled in high wind.

Honest expectations

Ticketed and not cheap, with the adventure activities priced separately on top. The observation deck is busy in the evening. It sits within a casino complex, which is not to everyone's taste.

Nearby

Viaduct Harbour and Britomart are downhill; the Auckland Domain is east.