Look down on the City of Sails from 220 metres up, then walk the harbour edge past ferries, superyachts and old warehouses turned into bars.
At 328 metres, the Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere. From its decks at 186 and 220 metres you see the whole story of Auckland: two harbours, the narrow isthmus between them, and dozens of volcanic cones.
Glass floor panels let you stand over the drop, there's a revolving restaurant, and for the brave, the SkyJump is a cable-controlled leap from 192 metres to the plaza below.
Ten minutes' walk downhill is the water. Britomart, beside the ferry terminal, is a restored warehouse district of restaurants and shops; the Viaduct is a harbour of yachts and bars where America's Cup boats were based.
Beyond it, Wynyard Quarter has turned old fuel-tank land into parks, the fish market and waterfront walkways.
An afternoon that ends in a harbourside dinner.
Ride the glass-fronted lift and stay as the light turns gold and the city lights come on.
Walk down to the restored warehouses and lanes of Britomart, and the Edwardian Ferry Building.
Follow the harbour edge round the Viaduct basin, past racing yachts and the maritime museum.
Cross the lifting bridge into Wynyard Quarter, with its silo park, playgrounds and fish market.
End on the western waterfront, looking to the Harbour Bridge and the North Shore.
The tower is in the city centre, a short walk from Britomart station and the ferry terminal.
Book online for small discounts; combination tickets cover the decks and the SkyJump or SkyWalk.
On cloudy days the view can disappear; check the weather and go up when it's clear.
Auckland practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
