Sydney Attractions

Venue: Sydney Tower    When: Daily

Head for the heights in Sydney by taking one of the high-speed elevators up the Sydney Tower (also known as both Centrepoint and the AMP Tower). The tower's 360° Observation Deck is 250 metres (820 feet) above the ground, with fantastic views across the city.

Built in 1981 and designed by Donald Crone & Associates, the tower reaches 304 metres (some 1000 feet) into the Sydney sky and certainly towers above everything else in the area. From a slender base, the edifice is stabilised by 56 cables, and blossoms into the eight-floor "turret" which houses the observation decks and restaurants near the top. Resplendent in gold and with 420 windows which catch the Sydney sun, this is colloquially known as "the golden basket."

Included in the ticket price is OzTrek - the southern hemisphere's largest simulated ride - which takes viewers on a visual Australian adventure. With 180° screens and 3D holographic technology, Australia's vast and diverse landscapes are conjured up in front of your eyes, in displays that also include animated models and scenic art.

An additional thrill for adrenalin seekers is the Sky Walk, where you can walk, secure in safety suit and harnessed to safety rails by sliding cables, out along two specially constructed steel walkways 260 metres up, over the city! There are three Sky Walks from which to choose - Day, Dusk or Night.

The "Tour Run Up" is an annual event which sees a competition to run the fastest up the 1504 stairs (including 94 flights each with 13 risers). The record still stands at 6 minutes 52 seconds, set in 1998 by Paul Clarke, which he equalled in 2000 and missed by just a second in 2002.

Below the tower is the Centrepoint Shopping Centre, which contains some 140 speciality stores on four levels, right in the heart of the city.