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List of tallest buildings in Australia facts for kids

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Sydney skyline and harbour
Sydney, home to the most high-rise buildings in the country.
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Melbourne, home to the most skyscrapers in the country with a height of over 150 metres.

These are lists of the tallest buildings in Australia.

Australia has more skyscrapers per person than any other country in the world with a population greater than five million, and was one of the first countries in the world to play host to the skyscraper boom along with the United States and Canada. Australia's first skyscraper as then defined was Melbourne's now demolished APA Building, completed in 1889, which was among the tallest buildings in the world at the time. The nation's first skyscraper as defined today by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as buildings exceeding 150 metres was the Australia Square Tower in Sydney, completed in 1967.

The vast majority of Australia's buildings which exceed 150 metres in height are located in the eastern states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with a smaller number in Western Australia. While Australia's other states and territories contain no skyscrapers as defined, they all play host to numerous high-rise buildings.

Tallest buildings

This list includes the tallest completed and topped out buildings in Australia that reach a height of at least 200 metres (656.2 feet), ranked by their official heights as defined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings (in such cases, the building with the highest number of floors is listed first). The "Year" column indicates the year of completion. The list includes only habitable buildings, as opposed to structures such as observation towers, radio masts, transmission towers and chimneys.

Official heights (denoted by 'O') are also known as 'architectural heights', as they include spires but exclude communications masts and antennae. This is because spires form an integral part of a building's design while masts and antennae do not, being purely functional. Also included are heights 'excluding spires' (denoted by 'ES'), which as used here include the entire architectural structure save for architectural spires. Whilst this is not a measure used by CTBUH, the concept is nonetheless frequently referred to by skyscraper aficionados.

Other tall structures, including structures such as the 309m Sydney Tower which is Syndey's tallest, are not included in this list.

     Was Australia's tallest building when completed

Rank Name Image Location Height:
m (ft)
Floors Year Notes Reference
O ES
1 Q1 Q1 Building.jpg Gold Coast 322.5
(1,058)
275
(902)
78 2005 Tallest building since 2005. Sixth-tallest residential building in the world. Q1 was short for Queensland Number One.
2 Eureka Tower Eureka Tower Australian Flag.jpg Melbourne 297.3
(975)
91 2006 Tallest building in Melbourne since 2006. Tallest building in Australia to roof
3 Aurora Melbourne Central Aurora Melbourne Central, TO in April 2019.png Melbourne 270.5
(887)
84 2019 Third-tallest building in Australia. Topped–out in December 2018, the project is expected to be completed in 2019.
4 Brisbane Skytower Skytower Brisabane Brisbane 269.5
(884)
90 2019 Tallest building in Brisbane. Fourth-tallest building in Australia. Topped out in December 2018.
5 120 Collins Street 120CollinsSt.jpg Melbourne 265
(869)
222.15
(729)
52 1991 Tallest office building in Australia. Tallest building in Australia from 1991 to 2005.
6 101 Collins Street 101 Collins Street December 2009.jpg Melbourne 260
(853)
195
(640)
50 1991 23rd-tallest building in Australia to roof. Tallest building in Australia in 1991.
7 1 William Street 1 William Street, Brisbane in March 2017, at sunset.jpg Brisbane 259.8
(852)
224
(735)
46 2016 Tallest building in Brisbane from 2016 to 2018.
8 Prima Pearl Prima Pearl January 2015 5.jpg Melbourne 254
(833)
72 2014 2nd-tallest building in Australia to roof.
9 Rialto Towers Rialto Towers in May 2017, edit.png Melbourne 251.1
(824)
63 1986 Tallest office building in Australia to roof. Tallest building in Australia from 1986 to 1991.
=10 Infinity Tower Infinity Tower, Brisbane in 11.2013.jpg Brisbane 249
(817)
81 2013 Tallest building in Brisbane from 2013 until 2016.
=10 Central Park St George Building.JPG Perth 249
(817)
226
(741)
51 1992 Tallest building in Perth since 1992
12 Victoria One Victoria One, under construction in May 2017 2.jpg Melbourne 246.8
(810)
76 2018
13 Chifley Tower Chifley tower 1.jpg Sydney 244
(801)
216
(709)
53 1992 Tallest building in Sydney since 1992
=14 Soleil Soleil, Brisbane.JPG Brisbane 243
(797)
74 2011 2nd-tallest building in Australia including basements
=14 Citigroup Centre Citigroup Centre Sydney.JPG Sydney 243
(797)
206
(676)
50 2000 Second-tallest building in Sydney
16 Soul Surfers Paradise, Queensland 14.jpg Gold Coast 242.6
(796)
77 2012 4th-tallest building in Australia to roof
17 Deutsche Bank Place Deutsche bank place.jpg Sydney 240
(787)
193
(633)
39 2005 Shortest building to roof of top 30
18 Brookfield Place BHP tower gnangarra-10.jpg Perth 234.4
(769)
46 2011 Also known as City Square or BHP City Square
19 World Tower World tower, Sydney.jpg Sydney 230
(755)
73 2004 Won the bronze Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2004
20 Vision Apartments Vision Apartments, June 2016.png Melbourne 229
(751)
70 2016 Topped–out in July 2016.
21 MLC Centre MLC Centre Sydney.JPG Sydney 228
(748)
60 1977 Tallest building in Australia from 1977 to 1986.
22 Governor Phillip Tower Govenor Phillip Tower.jpg Sydney 227
(745)
54 1993 Incorporates the site of Australia's first Government House
=23 568 Collins Street 568 Collins Street, in May 2017.jpg Melbourne 224
(735)
68 2015 Topped-out in April, 2015
=23 Bourke Place Bourke Place 2008.jpg Melbourne 224
(735)
49 1991 A 30 m communications mast sits atop the building
25 Ernst & Young Tower at Latitude Latitude Sydney.jpg Sydney 222
(728)
192
(630)
45 2004
26 Circle on Cavill North Tower Surfers Paradise circle on cavill towers.jpg Gold Coast 219.5
(720)
70 2007
27 Aurora Place Aurora Place 3.jpg Sydney 218.9
(718)
188
(617)
41 2001
=28 Light House Melbourne Light House Melbourne, May 2017, edited.jpg Melbourne 218
(715)
69 2018 Topped-out in February 2017.
=28 Telstra Corporate Centre Telstra HQ in Melbourne cbd.png Melbourne 218
(715)
193
(633)
47 1992
30 International Towers 1 International Towers Sydney tower 1.jpg Sydney 217
(711)
49 2016
31 108 St Georges Terrace Bankwest Tower.jpg Perth 214
(702)
50 1988 A 33 m communications mast sits atop the building.
32 The Tower at Melbourne Central Melbourne Central.jpg Melbourne 211
(692)
54 1991 Part of a major shopping, office and public transport hub in Melbourne.
33 Aurora 2006-04-12-Aurora.jpg Brisbane 207
(679)
69 2006
34 Freshwater Place PriceWaterHouseCoppers & Freshwate Place.jpg Melbourne 205
(673)
63 2005 The residential part of an office/residential building complex
35 Eq. Tower Eq Tower, Feb 2017.jpg Melbourne 202.7
(665)
63 2017 Topped-out in October 2016.
36 Riparian Plaza 2006-04-12-Riparian.jpg Brisbane 200
(656)
53 2005 A 50 m communications mast stands atop the building.

Tallest buildings under construction or proposed

This list includes the tallest buildings over 200 m that are currently under construction, approved or proposed in Australia according to the CTBUH, save for those which have already topped out.

Status:
Under Construction Approved Proposed
Australia 108 UC in Jan 2019
Australia 108 under construction in January 2019. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.
Brisbane Skytower under construction in March 2018
Brisbane Skytower under construction in March 2018. The project is expected to be completed in 2019.
Aurora Melbourne 14 November
Aurora Melbourne Central under construction in November 2018. The project is expected to be completed in 2019.
W Brisbane hotel in January 2018
Brisbane Quarter under construction in January 2018. The project is expected to be completed in 2019.
Name Height Storeys Purpose City Completion Status
m ft
Green Spine Tower 1 356.2 1,169 100+ Mixed Use Melbourne TBA

Proposed

Magic Tower 330 1,080 60 Mixed Use Melbourne TBA

Proposed

Orion Towers 328 1,076 103 Residential Gold Coast TBA

Approved

One Queensbridge 323 1,060 90 Mixed Use Melbourne TBA Approved
Australia 108 317 1,040 100 Residential Melbourne 2020 Under Construction
Spirit 298 978 89 Residential Gold Coast 2019 Under Construction
Cienna Square Tower 2 280 920 88 Residential Gold Coast TBA Proposed
25-35 Power Street 280 920 71 Mixed Use Melbourne TBA Approved
No. 1 Brisbane 274 899 82 Residential Brisbane TBA Approved
505 George Street 274 899 80 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
640 Bourke Street 273 896 85 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Crown Sydney 271 889 75 Mixed Use Sydney 2020 Under Construction
Aurora Melbourne Central 270.5 887 88 Residential Melbourne 2019 Under Construction
West Side Place Tower 1 270 890 81 Residential Melbourne 2022 Under Construction
30 Albert Street 270 890 91 Residential Brisbane TBA Approved
171 Edward Street 265 869 81 Residential Brisbane TBA Approved
Circular Quay Tower 263 863 55 Office Sydney TBA Under Construction
Brisbane Quarter 262 860 81 Residential Brisbane 2018 Under Construction
338 Pitt Street Tower 1 258 846 80 Mixed Use Sydney TBA Proposed
338 Pitt Street Tower 2 258 846 80 Mixed Use Sydney TBA Proposed
280 Queen Street 252 827 80 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Queens Place Tower 2 251 823 79 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
Queens Place Tower 1 250 820 79 Residential Melbourne 2020 Under Construction
197 Church Street 250 820 80 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
St Andrews Place 249.5 819 62 Residential Perth TBA Proposed
Premier Tower 249 817 78 Residential Melbourne 2020 Under Construction
One Sydney Harbour Tower 1 247 810 71 Residential Sydney 2023 Under Construction
Elysium 244 801 75 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
West Side Place Tower 2 240 790 75 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
Swanston Central 237 778 72 Residential Melbourne TBA Under Construction
Greenland Centre Sydney 237 778 68 Residential Sydney 2019 Under Construction
133 Liverpool Street 235 771 70 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
85-93 Lorimer Street 234 768 74 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
600 Collins Street 234 768 74 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Aspire Parramatta 233 764 55 Office Sydney TBA Under Construction
Ritz-Carlton Hotel 231 758 65 Hotel Sydney 2021 Proposed
West Side Place Tower 4 230 750 68 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
295 City Road 228 748 70 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Tower Melbourne 226 741 71 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
71-87 City Road 225 738 67 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Grand Markwell Tower 2 221 725 67 Residential Gold Coast TBA Proposed
380 Lonsdale Street (North tower) 218 715 67 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
158 City Road 218 715 65 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
97 Franklin Street 216 709 62 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
Quay Quarter Tower 216 709 54 Office Sydney 2020 Under Construction
295-309 King Street 215 705 63 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
293-303 La Trobe Street 213 699 66 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
32-44 Flinders Street 212 696 67 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
West Side Place Tower 3 211 692 63 Residential Melbourne 2022 Under Construction
111-125 A’Beckett Street 210 690 65 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
272 Queen Street 210 690 62 Mixed Use Melbourne TBA Approved
48 Macquarie Street 210 690 61 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
One Sydney Harbour Tower 2 207 679 60 Residential Sydney 2023 Under Construction
183-189 A'Beckett Street 206 676 67 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
4-6 Bligh Street 205 673 55 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed

Tallest buildings by state or territory

The following table provides the tallest building in each state given that only New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia are currently featured in the lists of tallest buildings to architectural detail and to roof. Heights to architectural detail are used.

Current
State / Territory Building Height Floor count Year
Queensland Q1 323 m (1059.7ft) 78 2005
Victoria Eureka Tower 297 m (974.4ft) 91 2006
Western Australia Central Park 249 m (816.9ft) 52 1992
New South Wales Chifley Tower 244 m (800.5ft) 53 1992
South Australia Westpac House 132 m (433.0ft) 31 1988
Northern Territory Evolution on Gardiner 99 m (324.8ft) 33 2008
Australian Capital Territory Lovett Tower 93 m (305.1ft) 25 1973
Tasmania Wrest Point Hotel Casino 73 m (239.5ft) 19 1973

The following table lists future tallest buildings that when completed, will become the tallest buildings in their respective state or territory. All buildings listed are either under construction or have topped-out.

Future
State / Territory Building Height Floor count Status Year
Queensland Orion Tower 1 328 m (1076.1ft) 103 Approved TBA
Victoria Australia 108 317 m (1040.0ft) 100 Under Construction 2020
New South Wales Crown Sydney 271 m (889.1ft) 75 Under Construction 2019
South Australia Frome Central Tower One 135 m (442.9ft) 36 Under Construction 2019
Australian Capital Territory High Society Tower One 113 m (370.7ft) 27 Under Construction 2020

Cities with the most skyscrapers

Number of 150+ skyscrapers in Australia (alt)
A cumulative line graph of skyscrapers above 150 metres in height (completed and under construction, as of January 2018 in Australian cities. Data is according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat).

This table shows Australian cities with at least one skyscraper over 150 metres in height, completed, topped–out or under construction.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Edificios más altos de Australia para niños

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