Sydney Tower - See the City from a Different Perspective

Sydney, New South Wales 2000

Sydney is jam-packed full of fun things to see and do, with plenty of incredible views and world-famous landmarks to enjoy.

Sydney Tower

Its skyline forms an impressive backdrop to any explorations, and there are a number of majestic buildings that overlook city life. It’s those reasons that the Sydney Tower has become a must visit attraction for tourists visiting Sydney for the first time, and if by chance you find yourself in Sydney for New Years Eve, why not catch the fireworks from the highest viewpoint in Sydney.

The Sydney Tower Eye, often just referred to as Sydney Tower, has been an important part of the skyline for 30 years, providing visitors with the chance to soak up stunning views across the city and experience things from a different perspective. It’s the tallest structure in Sydney, which means it promises some of the best views.

Fun Facts About Sydney Tower

  • The Tower is 309 metres tall from top to bottom and can hold almost 1,000 people at any given time.
  • It’s the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The Sydney Tower was opened in 1981 at a cost of $36 million Australian dollars.
  • It’s open 7 days a week, 365 days a year meaning you’ll get to view stunning views through all the changing seasons whenever you arrive.
  • It only takes 40 seconds in the lifts to get to the top by way of the double-decker lifts at the Sydney Tower.
  • The structure of the Sydney Tower is so sturdy that it’s both extreme weather and earthquake-proof, making it one of the safest buildings in the world.
  • On-site, there are two levels of restaurants, a relaxing coffee lounge, and an Observation Deck, where all the magic happens.
  • If you’re wondering how the windows get cleaned, wonder no more: the 420 windows are cleaned by a semi-automatic window cleaning machine known as “Charlie”. It takes the machine two days to make sure all the windows are clean.
  • For keen sunset and sunrise enthusiasts, Sydney Tower is the place to be. It is the first place in Sydney to see dawn break, and the last point in the city to see the final part of dusk as it settles.

Visiting Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower

As you can imagine, Sydney Tower is a popular hotspot for visitors who want to see the entirety of the city in one go. From the Observation Deck, you can gaze out at life unfolding below, spotting other major landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, from a different perspective.

You won’t get lost looking for the Sydney Tower, all you need to do is look up! The Tower is conveniently located in the heart of the city at the Westfield Shopping Centre. The closest train station from the Sydney Tower is St James Station which is a 6-minute walk. Opening times as they stand right now are from 9 am to 9 pm with the last entry being at 8 pm.

There is a SKYWALK experience you can do right at the top of the tower, which lets those with a taste for adrenalin-pumping activities get their heart racing. It was set up back in 2005 and has proven to be a popular part of the Sydney Tower experience.

Another great thing about visiting the Sydney Tower is that your ticket also includes entrance to the 4D cinema on site. The feature runs for about 4 minutes and is on repeat every 5 to 10 minutes.
From the Observation Deck, you’ll be able to see some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks. These include Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. Most people spend between 1 to 2 hours enjoying the sights and the 4D cinema.

After you’ve viewed the sights from the Observation Deck, be sure to check out the restaurants inside, where you can dine on delicious cuisine while overlooking the city. There is a coffee lounge as well, where you can refuel before you venture back down to ground level.

There are two options for dining at the Sydney Tower; Sydney Tower Buffet and it’s older sibling 360 Dining. The buffet is the more casual of the two and offers 360 degrees panoramic view of the city below. It’s also a rotating restaurant, and one full rotation takes around 80 minutes. The food is served banquet style and includes everything from fresh salads to hot dishes. 360 Dining is the Tower’s premium restaurant experience and offers guests a 5-course degustation menu, as well as the rotation of the restaurant so that each table gets an uninterrupted view of Sydney.

What’s the best time to visit?

The Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower gets the most crowded on weekends and school holidays, and so are naturally more quieter during the week. The best time to visit if you want a less obstructed view is right when the Tower opens, or in the late afternoon. As far as what type of weather you should visit in, each sort of temperature whether it be sunny, cloudy or even raining won’t stop you from seeing great views from high above. No matter what day you go, you’ll always be able to see the city as it goes through the four seasons of the year.

Exploring Sydney and everything it has to offer is top of many to-do lists, and getting to see all of its major landmarks in one go from an exceptional viewing point is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the city.

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