Views from Melbourne’s Eureka Skydeck 88

The best part of having international friends come and visit is that you can be a tourist in your own city, and so it was with that logic that I convince Kat – a friend visiting from the UK – to head to the Eureka Skydeck 88 to see the best views across Melbourne.

Situated in Southbank, on the other side of the Yarra river from the city, the building has no competition for spectacular views as it dominated the skyline as Melbourne’s tallest building. Located on the 88th floor of the Eureka building – so named after the Eureka Stockade in the 1850s – and crowned with 24 carat gold plated glass windors on the top 10 floors, the Skydeck offers not just views of the city but also out across the Bass Strait and you can just see a glimpse of Tasmania on a good day.

Indeed, it was a good day when we visited.

(It’s a little bit difficult to describe locations of a city from photos up high but I’ve included descriptions incase you are curious!)

The first view of the city as you exit the crazy fast elevators on the 88th floor (9 metres per second, 38 seconds from ground to the 88th floor)
Overlooking the city, the Yarra River, the Olympic precinct (the blue courts about half way up on the right) and historical Flinders Street Train station (bottom right yellow with green dome).

The spire in the bottom right hand corner is on top of Melbourne’s Arts Centre, and more commonly what I refer to as the Eiffel Tower of Melbourne – yes, I begun saying this when I was four and it has stuck! Federation Square, what is considered one of the ugliest buildings in the world, is located on the left side of the Yarra river and looks akin to building blocks.

In the top right hand corner you’ll see the stadium with six light pillars – this is Melbourne Cricket Ground, more commonly known as the MCG or to sound like a local ‘the G’

Shadow of Eureka Tower, overlooking the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Olympic Precinct.

Overlooking South Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay, Albert Park Lake and out to where Tasmania is! (Tis also the way out to my hood)

Sunset over the Docklands and the Crown Casino precinct (behind the building with the ‘f’ on it).

Melbourne twinkles at night!

Overlooking Rod Laver Arena (the rectangle boxes and small stadium) and the MCG at night.

Overlooking the Olympic Precinct – MCG, Hisense Arena, Rod Laver Arena, and AAMI Park (where the purple and blue lights are!)

Kat and I only did the general admission option which gives you access to the Skydeck, all of the facilities, ‘The Terrace’ – which takes you to a balcony outside the building to experience the elements, but there are free viewing binoculars for you to see the view across Port Phillip Bay and the Sporting Precinct. There is an option to take the Edge Experience – a glass cube that projects 3 metres out from the building with a glass bottoms so you can see the world moving under your feet… litterly! At AU$12.00 extra for adults, less for kids and concession, it is a fun experience but the line was too long for us to wait on that particular day.

Kat and I did opt for one upgrade though and I’d definitely recommend that you get a Sun & Stars upgrade (AU$3.50 extra) because Melbourne is magical at night, but bring a tripod if you want good photos because I took around 100 at night and only got 3 good ones! Try to get there just before the hour and watch over the Crown precinct as they have fire displays each night along the banks of the Yarra.

Locals – get a yearly pass! It’s on my Christmas wish list and for AU$50 it’s a steal. They have free WiFi, a cafe and other facilities worth using and it’s a beautiful place to visit with visitors or on a date.

Which city have you seen from up high?

Details

Eureka Skydeck 88

Eureka Tower
7 Riverside Quay
Southbank, VIC

Website: Eureka Skydeck 88