SkyWalk is the Sky Tower for people who want to feel the height rather than just look at it. Instead of standing behind glass on an observation deck, you are clipped to an overhead safety rail and led out onto a narrow metal walkway that circles the outside of the main pod, roughly 192 metres above the streets of the CBD. There is no handrail on the outer edge, and the city, the Waitematā Harbour and the volcanic cones spread out in every direction beneath your feet. A guide walks the circuit with you, tells you what you are looking at, and gives each person a chance to try a few optional moves, such as leaning out against the harness. The experience begins at ground level with a briefing and a fitting of the jumpsuit and harness, and then a lift takes the group up to the starting platform. The walk itself is a slow lap around the pod, with pauses at the best viewpoints for photographs, so it is less a thrill ride than an exercise in nerve. People who find the idea alarming are often surprised by how calm they feel once they are out there, because the rail, the guide and the steady pace all help, though anyone with a serious fear of heights should think hard before booking. Because the walk is outdoors, it depends on the weather. Strong wind, rain or lightning can delay or cancel a session, and operators normally offer a change of date rather than pressing on. That is worth remembering if you have only a day or two in the city.
How to visit
The experience is based at the Sky Tower in the SkyCity precinct, in the middle of the CBD and a short walk uphill from the Viaduct Harbour and the Downtown Ferry Terminal. Allow a good hour and a half for the whole session including the briefing, the kit-up and the lift, and arrive a little before your slot so that nobody is rushed. Age, height and fitness limits apply to the walk, and the briefing covers medical conditions, so read the terms when you book and check that everyone in your party qualifies.
What to expect
You will wear a provided suit and harness, and loose items are left behind in a locker, since nothing can be carried on the platform. The operator takes photographs during the walk. The platform is a little over a metre wide, the safety line runs overhead the whole way, and a guide leads and closes the group. The wind can be strong at that height even on a mild day, so wear closed shoes with a good grip and sensible layers under the suit.
Making it work
A clear day gives the best views, so if the forecast is changeable, book a slot early in your stay and keep a spare day. Late afternoon sessions can finish with the lights coming on across the harbour. The walk pairs well with a normal visit to the observation decks, which are enclosed and good for a calm look at the same view, and with the Wētā Workshop Unleashed or All Blacks Experience tours in the same block of Federal Street.
For a faster and more dramatic option from the same tower, look at SkyJump, and for a bridge-based alternative, the Harbour Bridge Climb offers a very different kind of height.
What to expect
The experience
A guided, harnessed walk on the outside of the Sky Tower’s main pod, about 192 metres up.
Best time
A clear day with little wind; sessions can be moved or cancelled in poor weather.
How long
About an hour and a half including the briefing and kit-up.
Tips
Wear closed shoes with grip, leave loose items in the locker and check the age and health limits before you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Thrill-seekers and anyone who wants Auckland’s best-known viewpoint with a lot more adrenaline.
- Families
- Suits older children and teenagers who meet the age limit and enjoy heights; check the minimum requirements first.
- Couples
- A memorable shared challenge with a big view, ideally on a clear afternoon.
- Pair with
- The enclosed observation decks, or lunch in the SkyCity precinct afterwards.
- Time needed
- About half a day with travel and a buffer.
Good questions
Where does SkyWalk take place?+
On the outside of the Sky Tower’s main pod, about 192 metres above the street, in the SkyCity precinct in the middle of the city.
Is there a handrail?+
No. You are clipped to an overhead safety rail for the whole walk and a guide leads the group, but there is no handrail on the outer edge.
What happens if the weather is bad?+
Strong wind, rain or lightning can delay or cancel a session. Check the change and refund terms when you book and keep a spare day if you can.
Can anyone do SkyWalk?+
Age, height and health limits apply. Read the terms when you book and tell the operator about any medical condition.
How is SkyWalk different from SkyJump?+
SkyWalk is a slow, guided lap around the pod, while SkyJump is a controlled drop on a cable from about the same height. They are separate experiences.
