Sydney’s Top Attraction Open for Thrills

Sydney’s highest attraction and newest tourism drawcard, Skywalk at Sydney Tower, is now open, allowing thrillseeking sightseers outside onto the roof of the city’s tallest building for the first time.

World-famous adventurer and two-times Everest conqueror Peter Hillary joined New South Wales Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Sandra Nori, as she launched the high altitude attraction on October 17.

The only experience of its kind in Australia, Skywalk takes daredevils on a 1½ hour, on-the-edge outdoor adventure 260m above Sydney’s streets.

“Skywalk at Sydney Tower is Australia’s newest, highest and most exciting attraction,” said James Fulford, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Aquarium Group, which operates Sydney Tower’s tourism products.

“Skywalkers will enjoy the thrill of literally walking across the city skyline, enjoying unrivalled views of the world’s most beautiful harbour and as far afield as the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains,” Mr Fulford said.

“It’s a truly amazing experience – a real buzz – with a sensational 360-degreee panorama capping it off.

“Skywalk is now a must-do drawcard for tens of thousands of international and domestic visitors as well as Sydneysiders keen to conquer the city’s highest pinnacle. We also expect Skywalk will prove popular with Sydney’s growing number of convention and incentive delegates,” he said.

The AUD$6 million attraction sees Skywalkers don protective suits and harnesses and tether themselves to railings before being guided along two tiers of steel walkways on top of the tower’s golden turret.

Skywalkers get their biggest adrenalin rush when they venture out onto two breathtaking platforms suspended over the tower’s edge, with one platform lowering between the walkways. Glass-floor panels on the protruding platforms will provide unique views of the streets below.

Skywalk took two months to build on top of the Tower, with a team of 15 workers piecing together more than 2000 sections of steel to construct the walkways, held together by more than 4300 nuts and bolts.

More than twice as high as Sydney Harbour Bridge and equal in height to the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Tower and its OzTrek motion theatre ride have attracted more than 16 million visitors since the opening of the icon structure in 1981.

Skywalk tours operate from 9am to 10pm daily, with the last trip departing 8.15pm. Tickets are available from AUD$109 for adults and from AUD$85 for children, including a souvenir certificate of achievement. The minimum age is 10. Bookings are available via phone +61 (0)2 9333 9200 or online at www.skywalk.com.au.