Auckland

I’ve been to Auckland several times, but I’ve never been to the Auckland Skytower before. It seemed a bit too touristy. I was also practicing one of my travel tips: don’t try and do everything, but leave something for next time–just in case you ever get the privilege to come back. Well, this trip was the next time, so up the tower I went.

The views were spectacular. It was touristy, but for a good reason. From the top you can see across the harbour and all around Auckland city. Maybe I should have visited it earlier, but it was good to have left it until now because I now know the city more and can recognise more of the landmarks.

Here are some of photos from the viewing level.

Auckland Skytower at dawn, as seen from my hotel window.

From the Skytower many of Auckland’s landmarks can be seen. This is the Auckland University Clock Tower, along with other university buildings behind it.

Albert Park in the foreground, the Auckland University behind it, and the Auckland Domain park behind it. See if you can find the Auckland University Clock Tower that was in the previous photo.

Looking towards the east.

The waterfront, Auckland harbour, North head on the other side and Rangitoto Island beyond it. You can clearly see the volcanic history behind the landscape of Auckland.

The scary Northern Motorway of Auckland. Looks ok now, but just wait until peak hour!

Mt Eden Domain. Another old volcano.

Looking directly down, you can see the landing pad for the Skyjump. The Skyjump is where people jump off the tower and drop 192 meters to the ground. A wire controls the descent, so you are falling quite fast, but not reaching anywhere near terminal velocity. When you are standing at the top, It is long way down!

Of course I did the jump… twice.