SkyCity: Auckland’s Entertainment Capital
By Lydia Horrex
Dominating Auckland’s skyline is the sleek, silver Sky Tower.
Standing proud at 320 meters tall (1050 feet) and constructed from
15,000 cubic metres of high strength, high performance concrete, it
currently stands as the southern hemisphere's tallest building. Built
in the 1990s in the run up to the millennium, the aesthetically
pleasing Sky Tower has proved a prosperous asset to the city. It has seen some 750,000 visitors per year and together with the SkyCity complex, it has become Auckland’s entertainment capital. Sky
Tower’s main observatory level sits 186 meters above ground and
provides 360° views over Auckland. From this prime position you can
spot all the major attractions such as Rangitoto volcano, the
Harbor Bridge and Auckland’s War Memorial Museum
On a clear
day you can see for 82 kilometres, or even watch the busy business
district below by standing over the glass floor panels. Entry to the
observation level is NZ$13, yet for an extra $3 you can continue your
journey 43 meters to the sky deck viewing platform. My
advice would be to take advantage of one of three excellent restaurants
located in the tower. At 182 meters high stands Sky Lounge Café,
guaranteed to provide more of a thrill than your normal Starbucks. Proceed eight meters higher and you will reach Orbit restaurant. This à la carte dinning
experience is accentuated by the classic revolving platform. Not only
will you have the most envious view in town, you’ll see a
different side of Auckland with every course. Those with a
healthy appetite can continue another four meters towards the
stratosphere and enjoy the seafood specialties from the all-you-can-eat
Observatory Buffet. A word of caution - you may want to consider
letting your seafood buffet settle before participating in the next Sky
Tower activity. If you’ve ever dreamt of experiencing
the rush of the world's highest tower-base jump, then this is your
perfect opportunity. After plucking up the courage to fling yourself
from the looming gangplank, you are left to dangle mid-air 192 meters
above ground. After regaining your breathe, an 85km/h
plummet awaits before gently arriving on the landing platform. Still
interested? Jumps are NZ$170, with repeat jumps $65. If just watching the dare-devil jumpers makes you feel on edge you could spend an hour or two relaxing at the East Day Spa. The spa offers a range of treatments from eyebrow threading and waxing, to facials and massage packages. As
soon as you step into East Day Spa the hustle of Auckland’s
streets are forgotten. The calming solitude created by the exotic and
mystical Eastern décor, intriguing scents and herbal tea awaits
your arrival. As the sun goes down SkyCity comes to life. An
evening is best begun dinning in one of the main restaurants and
there's a decent range of cuisines on offer. Ming Court hosts a
variety of Asian specialties, Fortuna Buffet is for those ready to take
on a selection of different cuisines, and then there's Dine
restaurant for those who want the best. At Dine, you'll get to feast on
the gourmet creations of the internationally renowned chef, Peter
Gordon. After dinner, an evening at SkyCity can commence in several different ways.
Holding New Zealand’s largest convention centre, SkyCity will
often host sports events or charity functions. Alternately,
SkyCity’s 700-seat theatre presents evening performances with a
different line-up every few weeks and can be booked
at ticketek.co.nz or through the SkyCity hotel reception.
There's also SkyCity casino, which is a major attraction for guests and locals alike. Once
you step onto the gaming floor you will be greeted by the dangerously
hypnotic chiming of flashing poker machines, the constant jingling of
kiwi coins, and odd cheers from winners. The glitzy mood may tempt
you to try your own luck but if gambling isn’t your thing the
buzzing atmosphere alone will certainly keep you entertained - there
are often live bands performing or salsa dancing beside the bar. One
the best views of the casino can be found at a place called Aces
Bar (how original!) which sits on an elevated platform to provide
a commanding view of your surroundings as punters place bets left,
right and centre. It's quite a thrill just being there. If your
luck runs out on the gaming floor it doesn't have to be the end of the
night though. There's a really cool night spot called Bar 3, located
above the casino, and is definitely on my list as one of the best bars
in Auckland. This bar has both a large dance floor if you
like to move to the music, but there's also a lounge area with comfy
leather sofas – making it versatile for after dinner drinks or
the last club before home. It doesn't really get started until
after midnight, but Bar 3 provides a lively atmosphere with good
music in an upscale location.
After a long night in
Auckland’s entertainment capital the last thing you want is a
long walk home, which is where SkyCity's two hotels come into the
equation. The SkyCity Hotel (4 star) and the Grand Hotel (5
Star) are located in the heart of the city center and provide all
the amenities you could wish for. I had a great time at the SkyCity complex and if you're really brave, I'd definitely suggest checking out the the world's highest tower-base jump. Sky diving without an aeroplane? Madness... Links:
Auckland City
Sky City Complex
East Day Spa
Auckland Tourism
New Zealand Tourism |
