What to Expect on Sydney Tower’s “Skywalk”
Let me start this post off by saying, I am deathly afraid of heights and was pretty much in panic mode in every photo you see of me in this post. Obviously, I survived…so, there was no need to freak out. But I really hadn’t realized what Sydney Tower’s “Skywalk” all entailed when I signed up to do it with my husband.
Sydney Tower is Sydney’s tallest free-standing structure. It offers amazing views of Sydney (obviously) and is one of those touristy things you just have to do once. And when the guy at the ticket desk asked if we wanted to see the views from outside, my first thought was, “Of course! That’s how I’ll get better pictures!”
I had been thinking I would just step outside on a nice secure viewing area (you know, like The Empire State Building), but I didn’t realize it was just a skinny little catwalk around the entire structure, and you had to be strapped to a harness that was secured to the building and dressed in rain/wind gear. Talk about going into to panic mode for me. Haha.
As you can see, the weather had also turned pretty nasty when we did the Skywalk. However, the lack of visibility I think may have actually have benefitted me! And the area they took this picture was an actual great big, glass viewing area (not the catwalk like the rest of it, so don’t it let fool you). I still didn’t love the feeling of standing on glass that high up either, though!
If you’re not afraid of heights, though, this is actually a pretty cool way to see the city. There was a family with us who had a 7-year-old boy, and they all had a blast. (While I hyperventilated!)
The joke was also on me because you can’t bring anything outside with you. (Because it could fall and do some serious damage.) Therefore, my camera didn’t make it with me.
So, all the photos I ended up taking were from the cozy, inside viewing area….actually at a later date, because the visibility went to zero after we were back inside. (The employees were kind enough to give us a free ticket to come back because of this! I thought that was very nice.)
I also later found out that there is a bar underneath the observation area that rotates. It has a $20 drink minimum (and beer is apparently about $10 a glass), but the ticket to get to the viewing area was roughly that amount (click here for current ticket prices)…so, if I could redo it I would just go sit in the rotating bar and sip a couple $10 drinks! Haha. But oh well, I never would’ve done the scary “Skywalk” otherwise!
And while I thought I was a bit badass for doing the Skywalk…apparently Auckland, New Zealand has a similar setup…but instead of just walking around while a guide tells you *fun facts, you bungee jump off it. They call it the “SkyJump.” Click here for more info on that.
*Take the “facts” in this tour with a grain of salt. This was the tour that tried to tell me the Opera House was designed after an orange peel. (Which according to the Opera House website and employees, is not even a little true.)
So, the moral of this story is, if you aren’t afraid of heights…the Skywalk is pretty neat! And if you are afraid of heights, but want to get a good view of the city…plop yourself down at the bar and sip expensive cocktails instead! (*Tickets are also included in the Sydney Attraction Pass, click here for current prices.)
Click here for the Sydney Tower & Skywalk ticket website. And click here to learn more about the bar & dining portion.
Are you afraid of heights? Or would you enjoy doing something like the Skywalk? Let me know in the comments!
*Feel free to click on the photos to make them full-sized…and some have descriptions. And see of all of my posts from Australia, here.
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This sounds so fun and adventurous. The only one I have done is the Sears tower.
I have also heard that the bar in the John Hancock tower offers a better view than observatory.
I guess there is no harm in sipping the cocktails then 😉
Richa | Fancier’s World
I’ve heard that as well! I have not yet tried the bar in the John Hancock tower – one day, maybe. 🙂
I’m afraid of heights but I do okay at things like these. I’d be hyperventilating a little bit too, ha! That’s so cool they gave you another free ticket to come back! And yeah, the beer/bar part sounds a little bit better 😉 XO
Lauren-Blair
www.gracerock-kellyroll.com
Haha! And I thought that was nice too! But I just might have to go back for the beer/bar so I can really enjoy it…and not be hyperventilating! Haha. 🙂
These are AMAZING views Lindsey and i applaud you for going out on that catwalk! The rotating bar sounds like a really cool option too. Not sure which I would pick lol. Both could be appealing. Anyway, seeing any city from way up above is always magical. Is this open at night? I bet the city looks amazing with all of its glittering lights.
enchantingelegance.net
The skywalk portion is not open at night…but the bar is! So, that will be a good excuse to go back and take in some views at night (and be a bit more relaxed, haha). So glad you liked the photos too! Thank you, Amanda! 🙂
I think it looks pretty neat. Looks like they have you tethered when outside? I saw an article about the Sydney Bridge Climb and think that looks amazing. I was going to see if you’d check out while there, I’m taking it’d be a no.
Yep! We were tethered when we were outside. And I’ve been having quite the debate about whether or not to do the Sydney Bridge Climb. It would pretty much be torture for me…and it’s about $250 USD to do (so, rather expensive torture in my opinion, haha). But it is one of those things I feel like you HAVE to do when you come to Sydney…maybe I can get myself psyched up to do it one weekend!
I loooved to see this post, to read it, dear Lindsey! I loved the views, Sydney looks even more incredible that way! So nice that the employees gave another ticket, due to the poor visibility after that,. I am not afraid of heights, you name the height, I would go, but even for me that part outside felt a bit “fragile”, although of course it is not. I once went to a fire ladder basket – you know, the baskets on the top of a firefighter truck ladder, to rescue people on high floors. It was tiny, shaky, and a firefighter friend of a friend said I could go if I wanted, for a training. Only 3 people could stay there 🙂 It lifted 30 m high and the view of the city was great, but the wind was fierce 🙂 But I liked. Sky jump in New Zealand would be nice, I like some adrenaline, but I would think twice before doing that 🙂 Will you do? I think you won’t, but the tower? Will you go? The views here were amazing! And you look great, I didn’t get the hint that you were scared! Hope you have a nice day!
DenisesPlanet.com
So glad you enjoyed the post, Denise! And wow! That’s so cool you were able to go in one of the baskets! My stepfather is a lineman and works in the “buckets” every day – I don’t know how he does it! If I make it to New Zealand I’ve already decided I will be bungee jumping…I’m not sure if it would be off the tower or not, though. 🙂 And thank you so much! So glad you couldn’t tell how scared I was in the photos! Haha. Hope you have a nice day too! 🙂
Oh, I have a fear of heights also but these views are so impressing!
Fantastic pictures and it must be amazing experience to see these views!:)
Thank you so much! Glad I’m not the only who has fear of heights, haha. But the views were really something. Thank you for reading! 🙂
This looks like it would be super fun! It’s good to do something here and there that scares you. At least you had a great view of the city!
astylishlovestory.blogspot.com
This is true! It’s good to get out of your comfort zone at times. I swear before I die, I’m going bungee jumping or skydiving…to really take this fear head on! Haha. And oh yes, you can’t ask for a better view. Thank you for reading, Joanna! 🙂
I’m a bit more like you! I really don’t like heights! Really don’t like it But these views do look good!!
Haha, glad I’m not alone! But the views were incredible! 🙂
You are brave! I’m afraid I would be the “plop down in the bar and have a couple of drinks” kind of person for sure! 🙂
Haha, if I would’ve known exactly what I was getting myself into…I don’t know if I would’ve been very brave! Haha. I’m definitely all for sitting at the rotating bar instead! 🙂
Wow what a fun thing to do! I am pretty sure once I got up there I would be a little scared like you! You two do look adorable though in those pictures! That is pretty scary you have to wear a harness up there! Glad you were able to come back on a sunny day and get some good photos! Such a great view!
Rebecca
www.winnipegstyle.ca/blog
Aw, thank you, Rebecca! The harness did nothing to ease my panic, that was for sure. Haha! But you really can’t beat those views.