Eureka Skydeck 88 Melbourne

Today is Melbourne Eureka Skydeck 88’s 11th birthday. Yeah, the building has a birthday, on 13th May.

Eureka Skydeck has been yet another overlooked Melbourne city tourist attraction. At least it was ignored by my friends and me the first time we visited Melbourne three years ago. What a mistake! Now that I live here, I think that Eureka Skydeck is the modern landmark of Melbourne, equivalent to Flinders Station as the historical one or even the Sydney Opera House for Australia. I could practically see the skyscraper everywhere, even from our apartment in another suburb. It gives me comfort, a familiar “face” among everything new. And there are so many things we can do at the Eureka Skydeck, you guys! Here are some of the reasons why you should all visit it, again and again:

1. Enjoy the city of Melbourne and its sparkling glory at night.

2. Hide from work in Eureka Skydeck.

One stressful day at work, I decided to take a break and roam around the office complex. That’s when I saw the Eureka Skydeck, which was like five minutes away. On a whim, I decided to get inside and get an annual pass, too, since there wasn’t much of a difference in the price compared to a single entry. I reckon I can come here again for a short refuge from work. And I have been back there thrice and counting ever since then. It helps to melt away work-related fatigue, and I go back to my cubicle calmer and ready to tackle more Excels.

3. Practice your photography skills from Eureka Skydeck.

Having had a photography lesson at the Photography Boot Camp last Sunday, I decided to take my camera and practice from the Eureka Skydeck, both in the afternoon and at night, to compare the lighting, focus on shutter speed and whatnot. The result? Well, it’s still below par, but I am glad I get to practice in a different environment.

4. Send mail from Australia’s highest post box in the Eureka Skydeck.

Yeah, they have a post box on the 88th floor, and it’s the highest in Australia, you guys. The sign on the post box said so! If you are a superlative lover, just like the schoolgirls who hovered around the post box and me, these would be reasons enough to pay a visit to Eureka Skydeck.

5. Treat your friend or mom to a fantastic view of the Melbourne skyline.

It took the Skydeck annual pass card almost a month to be mailed to my place, but it came with many great deals, including a free entry pass for one person, free coffee, free edge access, and some other discounts. Remembering how excited she was when we went to Burj Khalifa, I can’t wait to take Amma here for FREE when she comes to visit.

6. Secure a lunch spot in Eureka Skydeck.

I would say, for a slightly-hiked price with no waiting list or booking fees, enjoying your meal at Eureka Skydeck is a complete bargain. Pop by anytime, and you can have a light meal overlooking the city, something that even people who live in a penthouse might not be able to enjoy—lucky us.

7. Take your date to Eureka Skydeck.

Movie and dinner? Pfft! C’mon guys, let’s not be normal and go on normal dates. Do you want to impress someone, have a memorable time, or shake things up? Arrange a date on the 88th floor of Eureka Skydeck. It need not be long or too elaborate. Take them there, make it a surprise, and be interesting—Brownie points for giving your date a Skydeck snow globe from the souvenir store.

8. Take photo booth pictures.

For some delightful reason, there is a photo booth on Eureka Skydeck, and a strip of 4 black and white pictures can be ours for $5 (I love Melbourne and its random photo booths. I plan to write all about it, someday). If you are not a photo booth kind of person (but why??), how about taking the touristy picture offered there? Is it tacky? Most probably, yes. Will it make you smile a decade from now? Most definitely, yes.

9. Gain a different perspective on people-watching from Eureka Skydeck.

I love people-watching. Though I usually do it in a coffee shop while pretending to read to creep them out, watching people from way above is also pretty interesting. Colourful human ants, going in different directions on the bridge on their way to living their lives.

You guys, don’t overlook Skydeck just because it isn’t exactly the Opera House. It’s the iconic landmark of Melbourne. If you are visiting Melbourne, I urge you to spare time to visit either Melbourne Aquarium, more so if you are an animal lover, or more like me, who is easily awed by a city’s skyline glittery bright lights, do visit the Eureka Skydeck. And for Melbournians, especially for those who either work or live in the city, do get the annual pass so you can “hide” there now and then; it would be money well spent to reduce your stress level. Ta!