Southbank Apartments - Eureka Tower

I went up the tower last week and it was wonderful, definitely worth the price. The city looked beautiful from there, and I could see tower 108 as well as many of the south eastern suburbs in the distance. I loved taking in all the details and took photos too. The balcony was windy, but those views made it worth it. The chips tasted rich and wonderful as well.

Parking was easy, and the lookout gave us great 360-degree views of Melbourne. You do have to pay to go up, but I felt it was worth it. There was also a small selection of coffee, wine and hot food.

We paid $46 per person for entry and the Edge experience, with one digital photo included. I think the ticket covers one photo, so if you're there as a pair or in a bigger group, you could probably ask for separate shots instead of ending up with two of the same, as we did. We arrived at 6:45 pm and stayed until 7:50 to see the daylight, sunset and night views. The daytime view reaches a long way, while I preferred the prettier night scenery. Sunset was my least favourite because the glass glare made photos difficult. There are stools and benches around the viewing level, plus snacks and alcoholic drinks, though all the foot traffic means it doesn't feel like a drinking lounge. Reception gives you a pager for the Edge. After a very fast lift to the viewing floor, you can walk all the way around. When the pager goes off, staff give a short introduction and safety briefing, and you put covers on your shoes to avoid scratching the glass. With the others called at the same time, you enter a frosted room that moves three metres outside the building. The frosting clears once it's out, and you can walk, sit or lie down. After a few minutes to look around, an attendant takes digital photos of each person or group.

The glass cube that projects out from the building, with its transparent floor, was the highlight for me. It's a thrilling, unusual way to feel as if you're floating above the city. The photos weren't very clear, but I loved the experience. The Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower, previously called Eureka Skydeck 88, is also widely praised for its incredible 360-degree views across Melbourne.