SkyPoint Observation Deck

SkyPoint (formerly Q1 Observation Deck and QDeck) is an observation deck located 230 metres (750 ft) off the ground at the top of the Q1 on the Gold Coast, Australia. The attraction is operated by Ardent Leisure.

SkyPoint
View looking north from SkyPoint
Q1
AreaFloor 77 & 78
Coordinates28°00′22″S 153°25′46″E
StatusOperating
Opening date26 October 2005 (2005-10-26)
ReplacedQ1 Observation Tower
QDeck
Ride statistics
Attraction typeObservation tower
OwnerArdent Leisure
Height230 m (750 ft) (Observation Deck)
270 m (890 ft) (SkyPoint Climb)
WebsiteOfficial website
This is a pay-per-use attraction

History

Over the course of a 3-year construction period from 2002 to 2005, Q1 was built. When the tower opened on 26 October 2005, it featured an observation deck known as the Q1 Observation Deck which was owned and operated by Sunland. In 2006 it was sold off to the MFS group. In the late 2000s it was renamed the QDeck. Following the receivership of the MFS group in 2009, Ardent Leisure purchased the observation deck for $13.5 million.[1][2] As part of a $1 million refurbishment, it was rebranded as SkyPoint in 2010.[3]

On 26 September 2011, the construction of the SkyPoint Climb began.[4] In November 2011, Ardent Leisure began recruiting staff for the SkyPoint Climb with more than 100 people applying for the 12 available positions.[5] The SkyPoint Climb officially opened on 14 January 2012.[6]

Following the purchase of the observation deck, Ardent Leisure has reported that profits have increased from $1.7 million to $4.93 million in the 9 months to March 2011.[2] This gained the company a 15.4% return on their capital in the 11 months to May 2011.[2] In 2012, the company began combined ticketing options with their other Gold Coast attractions, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World.[7]

SkyPoint Observation Deck

The SkyPoint Observation Deck is located on level 77 and 78 of the Q1 building.[3][8] It features a museum, weather station, theatrette and lounge bar across two levels.[3] It is Australia's only beachside observation deck and has room enough for 400 people.[9] It towers 230 metres above the Surfers Paradise beach, giving viewers a 360-degree view of Brisbane to the north, the Gold Coast hinterland to the west, Byron Bay to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The express elevator to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds.[10]

SkyPoint Climb

SkyPoint Climb is an external building walk available at SkyPoint. It requires guests to pay an additional fee.[11] Guests are harnessed before walking up and around the top of the tower.[6] The journey lasts 1.5 hours.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Dreamworld buys a piece of Coast skyline". Gold Coast Bulletin. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  2. Nichols, Nick (6 May 2011). "Ardent Leisure reaps Skypoint returns". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  3. "Q1's SkyPoint rises over Surfers". Gold Coast Bulletin. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. Bedo, Stephanie (26 September 2011). "SkyPoint Climb to open by Christmas". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. "SkyPoint Climb seeks tour leaders". Gold Coast Bulletin. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  6. Maeseele, Melanie (20 December 2011). "SkyPoint Climb on Q1 worth the effort". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  7. "Winter is Warming up with Hot New World Pass Inclusions at Dreamworld and WhiteWater World". E Travel Blackboard. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  8. Siegmeier, Melinda (11 December 2010). "$1 million revamp of highest attraction". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  9. "Skypoint Facts & History". SkyPoint. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  10. Pilley, Kevin (13 November 2008). "Q1". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  11. "Visitor Information". SkyPoint. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  12. "Adventures on the Gold Coast". The Sun Daily. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
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