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The Gold Coast is most well-known for its golden seashores, tropical mountains, and luxurious inexperienced hinterland, however it’s additionally house to Australia’s highest exterior constructing climb, an open-air climb to the highest of the Q1 constructing.
The Q1 climb, referred to as the Skypoint Climb, is an open-air journey not for the faint hearted. Should you’re not afraid of heights, and wish to do one thing death-defying and places you out of your consolation zone, it is a magical expertise.
The concept of climbing to the highest of a skyscraper constructing sounds loopy I do know, however the accomplishment you are feeling if you attain the Crow’s Nest on the prime of the constructing, and the unbelievable views of the town skyline, are a reminiscence that can stick with you eternally.
The SkyPoint Climb takes you to the highest of the enduring Q1 resort constructing, Australia’s tallest constructing at 270 metres above sea degree (you begin from 240 meters, you don’t climb the entire constructing!).
To place that into perspective, this constructing is taller than the Chrysler constructing in New York Metropolis.
Piece of cake proper? For me, not a lot. I’ve a deep concern of heights, and while I’ve crazily jumped out of a airplane, you by no means fairly recover from this concern and every new expertise makes me nervous.
So doing the Skypoint Climb was my means of combating this concern, and getting out of my consolation zone. Right here’s the way it went…
About The SkyPoint Climb Expertise
The Skypoint Climb is an exhilarating expertise that takes adventurers to new heights.
As the best exterior constructing climb in Australia, those that courageous this expertise get to ascend to the highest of the Q1 Tower, which includes a huge spire that defines the Gold Coast skyline.
First you need to take an elevator to the launch platform on the Skypoint remark deck on degree 77.
The climb begins on the Skypoint Climb mission management, the place climbers are briefed by an skilled climb chief.
Security is a precedence, and contributors are required to fulfill a minimal peak requirement of 130 cm to ensure they match for the journey. You need to even be over the age of 12 to do that climb, and anybody underneath the age of 15 have to be accompanied by an grownup. Climbers over 75 must be cleared by a medical practitioner and have a Skypoint climb medical clearance certificates.
Earlier than embarking on the ascent, it is possible for you to to retailer any unfastened gadgets and valuables in a locker, as you may’t take cameras or different unfastened objects up with you.
After your briefing, you climb right into a glass airlock earlier than being taken exterior onto a platform the place you’ll stroll up a brief step ladder to climb to the summit.
The climb time is roughly 90 minutes, and the best level of the climb is on the Crow’s Nest, at 270 meters above sea degree.
As soon as the climb is full, unwind on the Skypoint Bistro and revel in a hearty meal and restore your power.
Our SkyPoint Climb Expertise
We booked onto the morning climb at 9.20am, and though apprehensive I used to be excited that we had been going to expertise 360 diploma views over the Gold Coast area on a lovely sunny day!
Our journey started with a security briefing session by our climb information, Rach, who fitted us up in a specifically designed full-body go well with, full with rubber-soled sneakers, and full physique harness.
My nerves eased when Rach assured us our harness might really maintain the load of a bus, and as soon as related to the security rail the one method to come off was on the finish of our climb. Phew!
Sadly on a lot of these actions you may’t take your individual digital camera or cell phone on the climb, in case you drop it, so many of the images on this publish are courtesy of Rach and SkyPoint.
We made our method to the start line of our climb on degree 77 through Skypoint’s excessive pace elevator. It’s one in every of Australia’s quickest and took us from floor ground to Degree 77 in 42 seconds.
It was time to summit SkyPoint.
We had been now a nerve wracking 240 meters above avenue degree.
Rach gave us some additional directions, and after exiting the constructing we had been in place to start our climb to the summit.
In entrance of us had been 298 stairs that may take us to the summit and again.
Treading slowly at first and gripping my harness tight, with every new step I turned extra comfy and felt very safe with the interior handrail guiding me skywards.
Inside no time I used to be actually having fun with the expertise, even turning round and searching down to soak up the unbelievable views and questioned why I used to be even nervous within the first place – in comparison with skydiving this was simple!
However then got here the step-out sections
About half-way up the climb you may have the chance to un-clip a part of your harness which lengthens your attachment to the inside handrail and offers you extra freedom to maneuver round.
It’s at this level you may step onto these different steps immediately on the sting of the constructing. From right here you may lean over the sting and look straight down the 270 metre sheer vertical drop.
That is non-compulsory. However I made a decision what the heck.
Tentatively I acquired down on one knee and leaned over. It was a LONG means down. I knew I used to be protected and was firmly secured by the opposite attachment on my harness, however it nonetheless gave me shivers.
It felt like no time earlier than we reached the summit, and the reward was simply how I imagined, a tremendous view of the Gold Coast.
However earlier than we might totally calm down, there was yet one more check of my nerves.
The lean-back part.
Rach once more instructed us to un-clip that a part of our harness that gave us extra size and he or she demonstrated the lean-back.
Letting go of the inside handrail and turning her again to the vertical drop, she put her heels on the sting of the constructing and lent again over the sting with two fingers within the air and simply the harness holding her weight – oh boy!
It got here to my flip. Once more that is non-compulsory, however I needed to attempt. Legs shaking I stood on the sting, let go of 1 hand, however I simply couldn’t drive myself to lean proper again and fully-trust within the harness.
I mentioned with what felt like a faux smile on my face – “you realize what, I’m completely happy to only be up right here admiring the gorgeous 360-degree views of the Gold Coast area!”
Caz nonetheless, she stepped to the sting and not using a fear on this planet.
After which we embraced for a group hug.
Lastly we acquired to calm down on the summit deck and admire the gorgeous views of golden sands up and down the well-known shoreline and over the canals to the plush hinterland.
We’ve been to the Gold Coast many instances, however by no means seen it from this attitude. To be wanting down on the enduring Gold Coast skyline was breathtaking, and I’ve by no means seen the water within the ocean look so blue and clear.
Trying south we might clearly see all the best way to Coolangatta.
To the north we ignored the second highest constructing, Soul at 243 metres, and up previous the Broadwater.
And to the west we ignored the million greenback properties on the numerous canals and the hinterland.
While on the summit Rach chatted to us in regards to the historical past of the Gold Coast and identified some factors of curiosity. Do you know the Gold Coast has a canal system greater than Venice in Italy? Me both.
We had sufficient time on the summit to take some inventive photographs, like laying down with our backs over the sting, and naturally, the obligatory group shot.
SkyPoint Commentary Deck
The SkyPoint climb lasts 90 minutes from starting to finish.
As soon as we descended and stripped down from our climb outfit, Caz and I took benefit of the free entry again as much as degree 77 and the SkyPoint Commentary Deck.
We needed to profit from the views and calm down with a drink on the Skypoint Bistro & Bar. I’ve had higher espresso, however I don’t suppose I’ve had a greater view.
I took this picture by means of the glass:
If in case you have pals or household with you who should not climbers, they will really watch you do the climb by means of the glass roof panel from the Commentary Deck which is fairly cool.
Both means, don’t miss out on experiencing the very best view on the Gold Coast. I’m positive it gained’t be that scary for you, and Rach and the blokes at SkyPoint will present you a enjoyable time!
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