Sugarloaf (Christchurch)

Sugarloaf communications tower
The Sugarloaf communications tower viewed from Bowenvale Valley
Highest point
Elevation	493.78 m (1,620.0 ft)
Coordinates	43°36′12″S 172°38′58″E / 43.603244°S 172.649534°E / -43.603244; 172.649534Coordinates: 43°36′12″S 172°38′58″E / 43.603244°S 172.649534°E / -43.603244; 172.649534
Geography
Sugarloaf Location of Sugarloaf in Christchurch, New Zealand
Location	Christchurch, New Zealand
Geology
Mountain type	Basalt volcanic rock

The Sugarloaf is a landmark in the Port Hills to the south of the city Christchurch. The Sugarloaf communications tower is an iconic radio and television transmission mast located on top of the hill.

The tower is situated at an elevation of 493.78 m on the top of the Port Hills, near Dyers Pass. This area is officially known as Sugarloaf Scenic Reserve. This reserve land occasionally doubles as a sheep farm and includes a car park lookout point for general public use.

In 1966 the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (now known as Television New Zealand) leased a 4.9ha section of the reserve from the Crown on the summit of Sugarloaf Hill and installed the communications tower and control building. With a height of 121 m, the lattice steel structured tower is founded on a 5-metre deep concrete pad underlain by basalt volcanic rock. It is situated approximately 50 m behind the main transmission building, which combined with the tower is visible from most parts of Christchurch city.

At a closer glance, the red and white tower includes an array of antennas including parabolic dishes, dipoles and microwave links. The tower has three main service decks for authorised technicians only with access ladders that run vertically along the eastern side. At night the tower is illuminated with three red beacons which span across the mast from top to bottom. On a clear night and viewed from the city you can often see the beacons and some fluorescent lighting coming from a room inside transmission house.

The tower is located 50 m behind a single storey transmission building which houses multiple transmission gear. The main equipment room is fully air conditioned and known to local technicians as the great transmitter hall. The building is approximately 40 m in width and 20 m in depth. On the roof of this building there are several satellites, small antennae and multiple parabolic dishes for private WiFi networks. There are two main shielded cable runs that go between the transmission house and back to the tower. This building has been unmanned for several years.

The entire transmission site is surrounded by a mesh security fence and a continuous hedge mixed with foliage. Access to the tower is highly restricted to authorised personnel only and climbing the tower is strictly prohibited. Vehicle access to the actual site itself is restricted via a locked gate, however there is a car park lookout point located 200m in front of the tower with panoramic views of Canterbury. Access to this reserve is permitted to the general public until approximately 6:00PM. After this time the gate between Summit Road and Service Lane is locked until the following morning.