Thing to do
Manly Ferry
The F1 public ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, a seven-nautical-mile harbour crossing past the Opera House and the harbour's eastern bays to the Heads.
Sydney Tower Eye
The observation deck of Sydney Tower, 250 m above the city centre, giving 360-degree views over the harbour, the beaches and towards the Blue Mountains.
At a glance
- Type
- Observation deck
- Area
- Sydney CBD, Sydney, Australia
- Official site
- sydneytowereye.com.au
Good to know
- Indoor observation deck
- Skywalk tours
- Combination tickets
Why we recommend it
Sydney Tower rises 309 m above the city centre, including the spire at its tip, and has been open to the public since September 1981. Its golden turret sits on a slender shaft above the Westfield Sydney shopping centre, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, and is visible from much of the city. The Sydney Tower Eye is the indoor observation deck inside the turret.
The deck is 250 m above street level and gives a complete circle of views. Look north for the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the harbour bays; east towards Bondi and the Pacific coast; and west across the suburbs towards the Blue Mountains, which are visible on clear days. Information panels help you pick out landmarks, and the windows run from floor to ceiling.
For more of a thrill, the Skywalk takes small groups in harnesses onto open-air, glass-floored platforms around the outside of the turret, 268 m above the ground, on a guided tour of around an hour. The Skywalk is temporarily unavailable until 12 November 2026, though general admission to the indoor deck is not affected, so check the website before planning around it.
The entrance is inside Westfield Sydney, which has several entrances from Pitt Street Mall and Market Street; follow the signs within the centre to the tower lifts. Booking online is recommended to secure your entry and usually costs less than buying at the door. The attraction also sells combination tickets with other Sydney attractions, which can be good value if you plan to visit several.
Late afternoon is a good time to go, as you can see the city in daylight and then watch the lights come on across the harbour. Clear, dry days give the longest views, and haze or low cloud can limit visibility, so check the weather before buying tickets for a specific time. Allow about an hour for the deck itself.
The tower suits first-time visitors who want to understand the layout of the city, as well as families with children. It sits in the heart of the shopping district, close to Pitt Street Mall, the Queen Victoria Building and Hyde Park, and St James and Town Hall stations are each a few minutes' walk away.
Sydney Tower Eye FAQs
How high is the observation deck?
It is 250 m above ground level, in a tower 309 m tall.
Where is the entrance to Sydney Tower Eye?
Inside the Westfield Sydney shopping centre, reached from Pitt Street Mall or Market Street.
Is the Skywalk open?
The Skywalk is temporarily unavailable until 12 November 2026; the indoor observation deck remains open.
Should you book in advance?
Booking online is recommended to secure entry and is usually cheaper than paying at the door.
How long should you allow?
About an hour for the observation deck.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon on a clear day, so you see the city by day and as the lights come on.
Can you see the Blue Mountains from the tower?
On clear days the Blue Mountains are visible to the west.