There’s something a little bit insane about stepping outside the Sky Tower onto a see-through grate that leads to its famous pergola, placing yourself at the mercy of just a harness and an enthusiastic guide.
That’s what most people told me anyway, when I mentioned that I was going to try SkyWalk - Auckland’s newest attraction for adrenalin junkies.
Luckily I did not have to attempt this feat alone - Vicky, Amber and Sarah all volunteered as well (some of them more willingly than others!). In hindsight, I’m not sure this was the best combination, given we scared ourselves silly talking about death by falling on the car ride there. It didn’t help that once we arrived at SkyWalk HQ the form we signed indemnified them for… you guessed it… death by falling (I swear Amber turned such a pale shade of white she almost disappeared!).
A few nervous pees later and we were all gearing up in our tres sexy orange jumpsuits. I was wearing my least attractive but firmest gripping shoes, but Vicky’s footwear was deemed unsuitable so she was lent a pair less likely to slip off and maim a passing citizen on the footpath far below.
Nothing can quite describe the feeling of standing on a 1.2 metre wide ledge 192 metres into the sky with the whole of the city stretched out around you. In fact, nothing can describe just how bone shakingly terrifying it was. Just like it’s impossible to remember how much it actually hurt when you broke your arm as a kid, it’s easy to gloss over how scared I was up there, now that my feet are firmly planted back on the ground. But to put it in context, for the first half of the circumference I kept my eyes fixed on the back of Sarah’s sneakers to avoid the peripheral bird’s eye view!
I was starting to ease into the sensation of imminent death when Daniel, our guide, decided to up the ante a notch. He thought it would be a good idea for us to inch backwards to the edge of the ledge then lean out over the side. Despite his assurance that it was 100% safe, I was not convinced and no amount of persuading could over-ride the part of my brain charged with keeping me alive and my body intact!
Vicky, who it turns out is quite the daredevil, was all enthusiasm and even Amber (who’d clearly moved on from her earlier misgivings) gave it a go.
However when Daniel suggested we try the same thing, but facing forward this time, Vicky was the only one game (and by game, I actually mean crazy) enough to give it a go.
The most daring I got was lifting up my feet and swinging on my harness for a few metres. Well, that was what I was supposed to be doing, but for some reason I had a hard job keeping my legs in the air… they much preferred the feeling of the ledge even if it was woefully insubstantial.
After plenty of photos (in most of which I have my face pulled into an upturned grimace which can just pass as a smile) we were back on the windy side of the tower. I was sure it was blowing a gale and posing a threat to our safety, but according to chilled out Daniel, it was actually quite a calm day (uh huh?!).
A few steps later and we were back on firm ground (well, as firm as the ground is at the top of the Sky Tower) all sporting goofy grins (realising you’ll live to see another day is enough to make most people smile!) and windswept hair.
Now that it’s over I seem to have romanticised the experience. I’m convinced that next time I get up there (yep, I’m planning a next time) I won’t bat an eyelid at doing those leans and I’ll make sure I soak in the view.
Those people I talked to before I went were right… I’m definitely a bit of insane.
Gemma
Want to try SkyWalk for yourself? The experience costs $115.00, find out more at www.skywalk.co.nz
outside the Sky Tower onto a see-through grate that leads to its famous pergola, placing yourself at the mercy of just a harness and an enthusiastic guide. 
Luckily I did not have to attempt this feat alone - Vicky, Amber and Sarah all volunteered as well (some of them more willingly than others!). In hindsight, I’m not sure this was the best combination, given we scared ourselves silly talking about death by falling on the car ride there. It didn’t help that once we arrived at SkyWalk HQ the form we signed indemnified them for… you guessed it… death by falling (I swear Amber turned such a pale shade of white she almost disappeared!).
Vicky, who it turns out is quite the daredevil, was all enthusiasm and even Amber (who’d clearly moved on from her earlier misgivings) gave it a go. 
A few steps later and we were back on firm ground (well, as firm as the ground is at the top of the Sky Tower) all sporting goofy grins (realising you’ll live to see another day is enough to make most people smile!) and windswept hair.