At 328m (1,076 ft.), the Sky Tower is the tallest manmade structure in the southern hemisphere, affording views over the sprawling mass of Auckland. It has two observation decks, including a glass lift and glass floor panels. Access to the observation decks is by three glass-fronted elevators, which can whiz up the building in 40 seconds. The Sky Deck is the highest public viewing area, with 360-degree views through seamless glass. How you’ll feel about this attraction really depends on how deep your pockets are. Personally, I think it’s a steep fee to pay, given the number of high-rise hotels that have opened in recent years with rooftop bars offering beautiful vistas of the city and beyond. (A cocktail costs less.) But hey—each to their own.

What might be more worth the outlay are the thrill rides attached to the structure. Visitors can get outside the glass on AJ Hackett’s SkyWalk (NZ$160) ★★, a platform on the tower’s exterior. They’re strapped in, but there are no guardrails. Next level up on the scary scale: SkyJump ★★ (NZ$230), which is kind of like a foot-first bungy, plunge downing 53 flights at 85 km/hour (53 miles/hour).