Melbourne Star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melbourne Star |
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Melbourne Star in December 2013
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| Former names | Southern Star |
| 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 |
| Opened | Original wheel: 20 December 2008 Replacement wheel: 23 December 2013 |
| Closed | 6 September 2021 |
| Cost | A$100 million (estimate) |
| Owner | Sanoyas Rides Australia (2006-2021) RoBu Group (2021 – present) |
| Height | 120 m (394 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Sanoyas |
| Main contractor | Hansen Yuncken |
The Melbourne Star was a giant observation wheel located in Melbourne Docklands, Australia. It stood 120-metre-tall (390 ft), which is about the height of a 40-story building! This impressive wheel was designed to offer amazing 360-degree views of Melbourne and its surroundings. It had seven spokes, just like the seven-pointed star on the Australian flag.
The Melbourne Star had a bit of a bumpy history. It first opened in December 2008 but closed soon after due to problems with its structure. The original wheel was replaced, and it reopened in December 2013. A ride on the wheel took 30 minutes, giving passengers plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The Melbourne Star closed again on 6 September 2021. However, there are plans for it to reopen in 2026.
Contents
The Melbourne Star: A Giant Wheel's Story
Building the Giant Wheel
The idea for the wheel came from ING Real Estate. A Japanese company, Sanoyas Rides Corporation, designed and built the wheel. Construction started in 2006. By early 2008, the giant outer rim was complete.
The passenger cabins were built in Osaka, Japan. Each cabin was like a small room with glass walls. They could hold up to 20 people and were air-conditioned. Each cabin weighed 13 tonnes. They were 5.7 m (19 ft) long and 3.7 m (12 ft) high.
First Opening and Early Challenges
The wheel, then called the Southern Star, first opened to the public on 20 December 2008. It was two years later than planned. Building it cost about $100 million. People hoped it would attract many visitors each year.
However, just 40 days after opening, the wheel had to close. Safety authorities found large cracks in the steel structure. One part was almost completely torn from its joint. Engineers later confirmed that the cracks were due to a problem in the original design. This was not just caused by hot weather.
Sanoyas, the company that designed and built the wheel, took responsibility. They agreed to rebuild the wheel under warranty. Most of the old wheel was sold for scrap metal. But the main support columns and the passenger cabins were kept to be used again.
Rebuilding the Star
The rebuilding process began in a factory in Dandenong South in December 2009. It was a very complex job. There were many delays due to bad weather like strong winds, rain, and extreme temperatures.
In November 2011, during reconstruction, the wheel moved unexpectedly in strong winds. This happened because the bracing holding the wheel up had failed. A worker had minor injuries while leaving the site.
Experts from around the world helped redesign the wheel. This included teams who worked on the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. The project faced many challenges. The reopening date kept getting pushed back several times.
A New Name and a Fresh Start
On 27 April 2013, the wheel was given a new name: the Melbourne Star. The original cabins, which had been stored, were reinstalled. This process took a long time for each cabin. The cabins received updated audio systems.
In October 2013, Sanoyas purchased the wheel from ING Real Estate. Sanoyas announced they aimed to reopen the attraction in about ten weeks. They also started hiring about 100 new staff members for the Melbourne Star.
Reopening and Early Incidents
The Melbourne Star finally reopened on 23 December 2013. This was almost five years after the first wheel closed in January 2009. Construction work had been completed, and final testing was done.
However, soon after reopening, there were a few incidents. On 26 December, a cracked window was found in one cabin. Operators said it was a very minor cosmetic issue. They thought it might have been caused by a bird strike.
Two days later, on 28 December, the wheel stopped unexpectedly. Passengers were evacuated as a safety precaution. It restarted 15 minutes later. Safety authorities investigated these incidents. Some visitors felt scared or worried when a cabin became stuck and tilted slightly. The operators confirmed alarms were triggered. They stated the wheel remained safe for tourists.
On 24 January 2014, the Star closed again unexpectedly. Visitors were told it was due to "windy conditions." However, a spokeswoman later said it was a "software problem." The wheel was closed for about a day for repairs.
Why the Wheel Closed Again
On 6 September 2021, the company MB Star Properties announced that the Melbourne Star was closing permanently. This decision was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions meant fewer visitors. Also, new tall buildings around the area changed the views. The wheel was later purchased by RoBu Group in 2021.
Looking Ahead: A Future Reopening?
Even though it was announced as permanently closed, there is good news! In August 2025, it was announced that the Melbourne Star is planned to reopen in 2026. This means there's a chance for future visitors to enjoy its amazing views once more.
