The lofty view over the magnitude of Sydney Harbour was amazing. The swirling grey rain clouds circling the Sydney Tower observation deck only added to the experience of contemplating the vastness of Sydney and surrounds.
Across Australia there are an excellent variety of tourist accessible tall tower experiences. All except one have elevators available to get you to the top so the experiences are accessible to all visitors.
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1. Skypoint Deck in the Q1 Building, Gold Coast Australia
The Q1 Building on the Gold Coast sits head and shoulders above the densely populated high rise strip.
The Skypoint Deck is located on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 residential building located on the Gold Coast. The Q1 building is the tallest building in Australia and is the 27th tallest building in the world with a height of 322.5m. The Skypoint Deck offers 360 degree views of the spectacular Gold Coast and hinterland through the glass.
If you feel like being more adventurous you can add the option of completing the Skypoint Climb, which is a climb up an external stairway of 298 steps from the Skypoint Deck to the summit of the Q1 building. During the climb your safety is assured through being connected to a safety rail system.
2. Sydney Tower Eye in Sydney Tower, Sydney Australia
Since 1981 Sydney Tower has been a dominant landmark on the Sydney cityscape. Sydney Tower readily complements the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as a long standing tourist landmark.
I first visited Sydney Tower in the early 1990s when I had lunch in the revolving restaurant with my father. I only returned 20 years later in 2011 when I visited the observation deck with my family where our young children shrieked like madmen as we circled the deck to look out at the views. The Sydney Tower Eye provides a different perspective on Sydney from above which is a worthwhile experience.
The Sydney Tower Eye is the observation deck located in Sydney Tower. Sydney Tower is 309m tall and is the second tallest building in Australia. The Sydney Tower Eye offers 360 degree views through the glass across Sydney, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay and the Blue Mountains.
For the more adventurous you can add on the SKYWALK experience which provides a trip using a safety rail system to the external viewing platform where you can overlook Sydney as well as enjoying a glass floor.
3. Eureka Skydeck in Eureka Tower, Melbourne Australia
I watched the construction of Eureka Tower with interest during the mid 2000s when we lived in Melbourne. Shortly after we departed Eureka Tower was completed and replaced Rialto Towers as the tallest building in Melbourne.
The Eureka Skydeck is located on level 88 of Eureka Tower residential building in Melbourne. Eureka Tower is 297m tall and is the third tallest building in Australia. The Eureka Sydeck offers 360 degree views through the glass across Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. In addition, The Terrace offers open air views across part of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.
A spectacular add on experience is The Edge which is a 3m glass cube which projects from the side of the building. You can walk out onto glass 300m above the ground…
4. Black Mountain Tower, Canberra Australia
Black Mountain Tower is an unmissable part of the Canberra landscape. The tower is visible from most locations across the Canberra region as a result of its elevated position on top of Black Mountain. I have previously used the tower as a navigation tool when I got lost, and I have also enjoyed the all encompassing views from the observation deck.
Black Mountain Tower is 195m tall and is a telecommunciations tower located on Black Mountain in Canberra. Black Mountain Tower offers 360 degree views across Canberra through the glass.
5. The Swan Bell Tower, Perth, Western Australia
The Swan Bell Tower is located in Barracks Square in the Perth CBD. The Swan Bell Tower is 82.5m high and is a specially constructed tower made to contain a set of 18 bells, which includes 12 historic bells and 6 newly cast bells. There are three main viewing levels within the tower, and also an observation deck which provides 360 degree views across the Swan River and Perth city.
The bells are rung every day so check their website for the latest bell ringing times and options to make the most of your visit.
For more information about what to do in Perth, check out The Ultimate Australian City Guide: 25 Things to do in Perth.
6. The Shot Tower, Hobart, Tasmania
The Shot Tower is located in Taroona which is 11km from Hobart in Tasmania. The Shot Tower is 58m tall and when it was constructed in 1870 it was Australia’s tallest building for four years. To get to the top requires climbing 318 steps which are worthwhile to see the view over the Derwent River.
As the name implies The Shot Tower was originally constructed to manufacture ammunition. When we visited it was fascinating to realize that to manufacture shot they had to melt the metal at the top of the tower and then release the correct amount of liquid metal to fall the length of the tower into water below. The height of the tower enabled the shot to partially cool into the correct spherical shape before being cooled in the water.
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Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group
Check out our Australia Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your Australian trip!
Anne Sutherland-Smith is the creative force behind Pretraveller.com, a travel blog that specializes in offering insightful guidance for exploring Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her passion for these diverse and dynamic regions shines through in her expert advice, particularly in helping travellers stay connected with the latest in SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs.
With an unquenchable thirst for Asian and Oceanian cultures, Anne has carved out a niche as a knowledgeable guide for those venturing into the bustling streets of Tokyo, the historical alleys of Kyoto, the vibrant scenes of Seoul, the scenic landscapes of Australia, the vibrant markets of Hong Kong, or the futuristic cityscape of Singapore. Her articles are full of practical tips and detailed information, ensuring travellers are well-equipped for their journeys.
Anne’s approach is grounded in providing reliable, authoritative travel content that enhances the travel experience. From navigating the complexities of digital connectivity on the go to immersing in the local culture, her advice is designed to make travel both enjoyable and seamless.
I have yet to go to Australia but when I do, these will all be on my list. I can’t resist a good view!
Megan, thanks for your comment. The views from the various towers are all worthwhile to see each location from a different perspective. Hopefully you can see them for yourself someday!
You get some great views up the tower in Sydney, the only negative point is that is costs a small fortune to just go up. Its all a bit of a tourist trap if you ask me.
Simon, thanks for your comment. I agree it can be expensive. When we visited we purchased a pass which gave access to 4 attractions. We were able to visit Sydney Tower, the Manly Aquarium, Wildlife World and the Sydney Aquarium with good discounts off the normal price.
Thanks for a great article. I am traveling to the Gold Coast for the summer and found the information very helpful.
Sarah, thanks for your comment. You may also want to have a look at as it describe some other options to do around the Gold Coast area. Have a great trip, the Gold Coast is a wonderful place to visit!