Special

The 20 Tallest Skyscrapers in the World

by Chris Newens  |  Published February 28, 2017

Tallest in Southern Hemisphere. Q1, Australia

A super-sized version of its neighbours, the Q1 (Photo: Jono Haysom via Flickr / CC By 2.0)

It’s something of a sneaky victory for this Australian tower, which is only the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere on account of its spire, which hoists it higher than its four nearest competitors. Nevertheless, as the one time possessor of the tallest residential crown worldwide, too, I think we’re justified at looking the other way on such technicalities.

Recognised as an icon of Queensland for the Australian state’s 150th birthday celebrations, Q1 towers over the rest of its beachside Gold Coast neighbours and stands as something of an anomaly in the world of the super-tall not being located in any kind of financial hub or world capital, but rather representing one of humanity’s greatest monuments to resort living.

Residential as it may be, Q1 still offers an observation deck to the general public: the only beach side observation deck in all of Australia, offering 360 views, down Surfers Paradise Beach and Brisbane to the north, into the hinterland to the west, and south toward Byron Bay. There’s also one of the most expansive views of the Pacific Ocean anywhere in the world, stretching out to the east. Even on the clearest day, though, you can’t see the other side.