An iconic structure adorning the skyline of Auckland City in New Zealand is the Sky Tower. The tower which is used as a dual purpose observatory as well as a telcommunications platform is over 300 metres in height, from the bottom to the very top of the tower’s needle like tip.
When compared to the great towers of the world, it ranks as number 13 and is the tallest free standing structure in the southern hemisphere. The tower is quite popular and anyone who travels to Auckland is always curious to know what the city looks like from the tower. It accommodates more than a thousand visitors a day. Part of SKYCITY which is an Auckland casino it was originally intended to be part of ‘Harrah’s Entertainment’.
A café and restaurant can be found on the uppper section of the tower. A highlight of the tower is its unique revolving restaurant, which rotates 360 degrees, and moves every hour. From the floor where the main observatory is located visitors will find three observation sections or decks as they are called. The tower’s main antenna is just above the popular ‘Skydeck’. The main deck is situated at a height of 186 metres.
Perhaps the best way to conquer the fear of heights would be to indulge in the 192 metre high ‘Sky Jump’ at the observation deck, where jumpers are capable of reaching speeds of about 50 miles per hour. The speed is controlled from the cable and is the ultimate adrenaline rush.
The Auckland Peering Exchange known among locals as ‘The APE’ is also located in the tower, and uses a powerful aerial for its broadcasting and communication work. The antenna is said to have the capability of linking more than 50 wireless microwave links, making the antenna at the Sky Tower one of the world’s biggest FM gatherers.
Another reason as to why the Sky Tower is so popular is the fact that it is used as a means of literally highlighting various causes. For instance the colours of various causes are showcased by illuminating the tower in those specific colours. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month the tower is lit up in pink, during the Chinese New Year the colours are usually gold and red.
Recently a new lighting system for the tower was installed whereby the floodlights were replaced by LED lights in a bid to conserve the amount of energy used to light the tower. The previous floodlights were in use since the tower’s inception in 1997. The new system that has been put in place is said to use only 60 percent of the energy required earlier.
Visitors to Auckland should make it a point to add the Sky Tower to their list of things to do. In addition to this, other sites like the Vector Arena are also a must and are in close proximity to the Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. This Auckland hotel offers lovely views of the city and has all the essential amenities to make one’s stay a memorable one.
CHARDHAM YATRA
15 years ago
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