“See just over there – that’s the other big stadium, Marvel. That’s where we played last night.” The man pointing out one of Melbourne’s (Naarm) arenas is still wearing his Hawthorn scarf – they’d won their match – as he directs his friend’s gaze to the CBD’s northwest boundary.

These types of conversation are common at Melbourne Skydeck, as people new to the city stare down at its grid-like road system, Port Phillip Bay, the arts and sporting precincts, and the Dandenong Ranges (Corhanwarrabul) in the distance.

Others, who don’t have local friends to point out specific attractions, are looking through the fixed telescopes pointed directly at city landmarks. From here, on the 88th floor, almost 300 metres above the streets, you can watch as planes land in the distance and cargo ships sail from the bay.

“I love looking out over Flinders Street and the sporting district because it takes in all the gardens as well,” says James Watts, who has worked at Melbourne Skydeck for five years.

“You can see all the best things Melbourne has: the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the sporting precinct.”

It’s not just families of tourists who ascend in the lifts to check out the view. Movie stars have stopped by – James remembers Nicholas Hoult visiting – and it’s a popular attraction with tennis players in town for the Australian Open in January.

“We’ve had Rafael Nadal,” James says. “Plus, the Melbourne Cup was brought up here, and Santa Claus comes and abseils off the side of the building.”

Before the construction of Eureka Tower, atop which Melbourne Skydeck sits, Rialto Tower was the city’s tallest building. When it opened in 2007, Melbourne Skydeck became the highest observation platform in the southern hemisphere, and it still holds that title today.

One of its most exciting (and exhilarating) features is The Edge, a glass box that hangs out over the streets below. Surprisingly, it’s proved a remarkably popular location for love.

“I’ve taken people out on The Edge for proposals,” says James. “They often want to do some elaborate things even though they only have a ten-to-fifteen-minute slot.”

He recalls a memorable set-up created by a particularly romantic suitor for his soon-to-be fiancée:

“One had rose petals everywhere and three easels. As she went in, she had to unwrap each one. They read ‘Will,’ ‘You,’ ‘Marry Me?’ Then, there he was, down on one knee. “It was a ‘yes’, by the way.”

Since Melbourne Skydeck opened, it has expanded its attractions with the opening of the Voyager Theatre on the ground floor in 2021. It uses virtual reality to take visitors onto the Great Scenic Railway at Luna Park, into the Richmond cheer squad at the MCG, and over some of Melbourne’s most famous attractions.

Best of all, every visit to Melbourne Skydeck offers a new perspective.

“Every time you come to Skydeck, it’s a different view, it’s a different experience,” says James. “At nighttime, it’s really pretty, because you’ve got all the lights and the whole city sparkles. People come up and they have a drink at the bar and watch the sunset.”

“That’s my favourite time of day – you get to see the best of both worlds.”