Telstra Tower

High above Canberra, the Telstra Tower stands as a beacon of communication and observation. Have you ever wondered about the stories whispered within its towering frame? Telstra Tower wasn’t always known by this name. It was first called Telecom Tower. The name changed in 1993 when the telecommunications company rebranded to Telstra. Telstra Tower, also known as Black Mountain Tower, rises 195.2 meters above the summit of Black Mountain. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surrounding countryside. The tower’s construction began in October 1972. It was completed in 1977 and officially opened on 15 May 1980 by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. The construction cost was a hefty $16.3 million AUD in 1980. This would equate to approximately $73.9 million AUD in 2021 when adjusted for inflation. Interestingly, the design of the Telstra Tower was a collaborative effort between architect Richard Ure and the Commonwealth Department of Works. The main contractor was Concrete Constructions. The tower’s construction wasn’t without its challenges. Protests erupted during the approval process, citing aesthetic and ecological concerns. Some feared the tower would overshadow other Canberra landmarks. Others worried about its impact on the surrounding nature reserve. There was even a short-lived green ban imposed by the Builders Labourers Federation. The tower was designed to replace the microwave relay station on Red Hill and the television broadcast masts already on Black Mountain. It houses important communication facilities for Canberra. Before its closure in 2021, Telstra Tower hosted Canberra’s only revolving restaurant, the Alto Tower Restaurant. It offered a unique dining experience. The restaurant made a complete rotation every 81 minutes, providing diners with ever-changing views. Telstra Tower has been a beloved tourist destination, attracting approximately 430,000 visitors annually by 2017. Its iconic stature earned it an invitation in 1989 to join the World Federation of Great Towers, alongside renowned structures like the CN Tower and the Empire State Building. Currently, the tower is undergoing renovations and is expected to reopen in 2026. The planned makeover will celebrate Ngunnawal culture. The tower’s legacy as a symbol of communication and observation continues. It remains a significant part of Canberra’s skyline.