| Melbourne Star | |
|---|---|
 Melbourne Star in December 2013 | |
 | |
| Former names | Southern Star[1] |
| General information | |
| Status | Closed |
| Type | Observation wheel |
| Location | Melbourne Docklands, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°48′43″S 144°56′15″E / 37.81186°S 144.93760°E |
| Construction started | 30 June 2006[2] |
| Opened | Original wheel: 20 December 2008[3] Replacement wheel: 23 December 2013[4] |
| Closed | 6 September 2021 |
| Cost | A$100 million (estimate)[5] |
| Owner | Sanoyas Rides Australia[6] |
| Height | 120 m (394 ft)[3] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Sanoyas[7] |
| Main contractor | Hansen Yuncken[8] |
The Melbourne Star (previously Southern Star) is a closed 120 metre tall ferris wheel in the suburb of Docklands in Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia.
Described by its operators as an "observation wheel" and claimed to be "the Southern Hemisphere's only giant observation wheel",[9] it is 120 m (394 ft) tall and has seven spokes, reflecting the seven-pointed star of the Australian flag.[10]
It opened two years behind schedule in December 2008, but closed 40 days later due to structural defects. The wheel itself was scrapped and replaced, but the original support structure and passenger cabins were retained. It was originally thought that reconstruction might be completed in late 2010, but repeated delays meant it did not reopen until 23 December 2013.
A ride (one complete rotation) takes 30 minutes and, according to the Star's website, provides uninterrupted 360-degree views of up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) "encompassing the Docklands precinct, Melbourne’s CBD, Port Phillip Bay and as far as Mount Macedon, Arthurs Seat and the Dandenong Ranges."[11]
The Wheel permanently closed on 6 September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^ "Melbourne Star Observation Wheel". Only Melbourne. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Work to spin Ferris wheel". Herald Sun. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ a b Rennie, Reko (19 December 2008). "After the spin, Melbourne's wheel ready to turn". The Age. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
- ^ Minear, Tom (23 December 2013). "Melbourne Star Observation Wheel spins back into action". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ Royall, Ian; Johnston, Matt (20 October 2008). "Man seeks to propose to girlfriend in new Southern Star wheel". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ Greetings | Our Company | Sanoyas Rides Australia Pty Ltd
- ^ Stephen Cauchi (11 October 2013). "Melbourne Star bought by its Japanese builder". The Age. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "The Southern Star". The Southern Star. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
- ^ "Melbourne Star". Melbourne Star. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Docklands Science". Docklands News. March 2013.
- ^ "Melbourne Star news". Melbourne Star. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.