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Sky Tower Tickets
Introduction
At Auckland’s Sky Tower, visitors will have a fascinating time. At 328 meters, it is New Zealand’s tallest manufactured building. You can see for up to 80 kilometers in all directions from the top. Go up in the glass-windowed lifts to one of three fantastic viewing spots, or for more fun and excitement, walk around a platform at 192 meters high or jump off it.
If you want to eat with a view, the Sky Tower has three food places. These include Orbit 360˚ Dining, like being inside a rolling wheel around while eating; The Sugar Club, which is fancy and classy; or just sitting in the coffee shop, Sky Café, where you can have some tasty treats.
The Sky Tower is one of New Zealand’s most exhilarating and spectacular tourist attractions, and you will be amazed at what you can see and do under one roof.
Things to KNOW Before Visiting the Auckland Sky Tower
The Auckland Sky Tower is probably the best-known part of the city’s view from above. Finished in 1997, it’s the most significant building in New Zealand and one of the best spots on the North Island to see incredible all-around views. But you can also do a lot more than look at the view in that place.
Going to the top of Sky Tower is one of the best things I like doing in Auckland, and it’s a must while you are there. When you reach the top, it’s also possible to dress up at one of the fancy restaurants inside or be brave and jump off bungy from the edge.
1. About the Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland’s Sky Tower is 328 meters (1,076 feet) tall. It is the highest building in Auckland City and all over New Zealand! It’s also the second-highest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
The tower is in Auckland’s center, at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets. You can see this lovely city very well from there. It’s part of the SkyCity Auckland casino place, but you don’t have to gamble. You can go there with just a ticket! Levels 50-53 and 60 are free to visit for food, drinking drinks, checking sights – or doing the famous SkyJump activity!
2. How much does the Auckland Sky Tower cost?
Going to the Auckland Sky Tower costs NZD 40 for grown-ups and NZD 20 for kids between 6 and 14 years old. Kids under six can go without paying, but they must have an adult with them.
You can always go and pay for entry, but there are some benefits to booking online beforehand. We enjoy using Viator for tours and experiences like this one because you can book in advance but pay later. This is good with planning budgets!
Buying your Sky Tower ticket from Viator also allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before. It is perfect if your plans change or the weather isn’t nice. Also, buying the ticket online here costs NZD 40, the same as at the door. So why not do that?
After you get your permission, you can go on all floors that are open to the public. This means you can go to the prominent viewing place on floor 51, any food places there, and a spot called Sky Deck up high at number 60. If you want to do the SkyWalk or SkyJump, it will cost extra money. I’ll tell you more about this later.
3. Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
You don’t need to, but I suggest it because it saves time. We bought our tickets early and could go straight through all the groups waiting to purchase, which made it simpler.
The Sky Tower is a famous place in Auckland; many people can wait there. So, spending time standing is unnecessary when you don’t have to.
4. When is the best time to visit the Auckland Sky Tower?
You can see beautiful sights in New Zealand on a sunny day most of the year. I suggest you go early in the morning or late afternoon, especially on weekends and school holidays. It will help avoid lots of people.
Seeing the sun go down from Sky Tower is one of those unique experiences in New Zealand. If you want to watch city lights switch on right below, go up before that happens.
The tower shuts down on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 6 o’clock, so if you want to go there when the sun sets, I suggest picking a different day from this week’s trip.
5. Is the Auckland Sky Tower open all year round?
Yes! It’s open every day of the year. The Auckland Sky Tower only shuts down when the weather is nasty. You should know that the Sky Café is not open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But all other things are available every day!
6. Is there parking available at the Auckland Sky Tower?
If you’re using a car in Auckland or have one of your own, there are some choices for parking. Parking for a short time costs $16 NZD in New Zealand and an extra $8 NZD for every hour after that. You can pay the most daily NZD 48, but don’t stay too long!
Instead, you can buy a Care Park top-up card and put money on it at the pay station. It would help if you put in at least NZD 60 every time, but you can use it too at Burton Street, Davis Crescent, and Parnell Quarter car parks around the city. So maybe it would be worth doing based on what your plans are.
Using your top-up card at the SkyCity parking costs only $15 for the whole day. And as it’s in downtown CBD, you can also leave your car there when leaving and do some more exploring nearby.
What are the best things to do at the Auckland Sky Tower?
Orbit 360° Dining
Orbit 360 is a turning restaurant on the 52nd floor of Sky Tower – that’s cool.
It gives yummy New Zealand food. The menu changes each season, but you might find Akaroa salmon or Duncan Pāmu deer meat on the list. And all this comes from places close by, too! So you don’t just get amazing views but also taste some of the best food Auckland offers!
I believe this spot is great for a love date or big party! You can also talk to the restaurant and ask them nicely if they could make a cake for you. That’s right!
Lunch is served from 11 am to 2 pm every day. You can get a two-course set menu for $69 or three courses for $89, or eat any food you want if that’s what you prefer. The night, from 5 to 9 pm, is dinner time. It costs $95 for a three-course menu from Monday to Thursday, or it will cost you more at $105 if you go between Friday and Sunday.
Sky Walk
The Sky Walk leads you around the tower’s large border, 630 feet above ground. You will not find any handrails to hold on to, but don’t worry because everyone remains safely attached to a harness! It’s a thrilling experience where you do some exciting things against gravity, like hanging close to the edge. It happens as it goes around.
The event lasts about 90 minutes, and you must be at least 10 years old. People must weigh at least 30 kilograms (66 lbs) and not more than 127 kilograms (280 kg). When the wind is strong, sometimes you need to be at least 45 kg (99 lbs); if it gets too fast, over 60 kph or 37 mph, they change when it is going on. Remember, you’ll remain checked for drinking before going out. So don’t try to have a drink secretly! Save that for afterward.
The cost for grown-ups is 160 NZD; for kids 10 to 15 years old, it’s 130 NZD, and students in New Zealand pay $28 higher. You can buy pictures and videos of your experience taken by experts for an extra $45 New Zealand dollars. If you want both, it costs around $65.
It is a wild experience – how often do you get to go around the edge of a famous building like this? – so, if you’re feeling courageous and daring, I highly suggest trying this out!
Sky Jump
If you love excitement, the Sky Tower has a thing called ‘Sky Jump’ where you can leap off it like someone bungy jumping! You will fall from 192 meters (630 feet) to the SkyCity Plaza below. It doesn’t get any more adventurous than leaping from the top of New Zealand’s tallest building.
It is an extraordinary and one-of-a-kind event. Anyone over 10 years old can participate in it; however, there must be at least 30 kg (66 lbs) to join, and the maximum allowed weight is up to 122 kg (269 lbs). It costs 235 NZD for each person, and you’ll get to fall freely for 11 seconds. During this activity, you can reach up to 85 kph (or around 53 mph). For kids aged 10-15, it costs $185. If you are a local student, the cost is higher at $205 NZD.
Sky Slide
The Sky Slide is on the tower’s top floor, and it sends you gliding around Auckland views in 360 degrees with memorable computer photos. It’s a wild experience that will surely make you exclaim in wonder.
The slide costs $15 in New Zealand money. Anyone at least five years old can use it, but some health issues might stop you from doing so. They will give you a VR headset, and even though you won’t move, they want to put on seatbelts for safety. It feels so natural that without them, it might make your body jump out of the chair quickly!
Have a great time eating fancy food at the Sugar Club
The Sugar Club is a well-known and top-ranked restaurant in Auckland. You can find it on the 53rd floor of Sky Tower. It’s a high-class dine-in experience offering local food. You can eat according to your choice or try the tasting menu for $159 New Zealand dollars per person (an additional $75 if you want drinks paired with meals).
If you don’t want to spend much, drink at the bar. A drink costs about $20-23 NZD, so it’s not cheap. But you pay for the view! The happy hour goes from 5 to 7 pm and 9 to 11 at night every day. Then you can get a cocktail for $18 or a house spirit plus mixer for only $13.
This place is trendy, so please book early – especially if you want to eat. But if you want a drink at the bar, securing your spot days before is better. Or even longer ahead if you plan for a sunset visit.
Conclusion
The Auckland Sky Tower is a place you should visit when in Auckland! I hope this guide helps to answer all your questions before you go. Sky Tower will make your holiday very special if you’re seeing the views or trying something fun while going up.