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 Ferris wheel in Docklands, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It stood 120-metre-tall (390 ft), which is about as high as a 40-story building! People called it an "observation wheel" because it offered amazing views. It was even said to be the only giant observation wheel in the Southern Hemisphere.
The wheel had seven spokes, just like the seven-pointed star on the Australian flag. A full ride on the Melbourne Star took 30 minutes. From the top, you could see up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) away. This included views of the Docklands, Melbourne’s city center, Port Phillip Bay, and even distant mountains like Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges.
The Melbourne Star first opened in December 2008, but it had to close soon after due to problems. It was rebuilt and reopened in December 2013. Sadly, it closed again on 6 September 2021. However, there are plans for it to reopen in 2026.
Contents
The Southern Star: Its First Life
Building the Giant Wheel
Construction of the wheel began in 2006. A Japanese company called Sanoyas Rides Corporation designed and built it. By late 2008, the giant outer rim was finished. The passenger cabins, which were built in Japan, were also ready. Each cabin was like a small room with glass walls, weighing 13 tonnes. They could hold up to 20 passengers at a time.
Opening Day and Early Problems
The wheel first opened to the public on 20 December 2008. It was a big event, but it had opened two years later than planned. Building it cost about A$100 million. People hoped over a million visitors would ride it each year.
However, just 40 days after opening, the wheel had to close. Engineers found cracks in the steel structure. At first, some thought a heatwave caused the damage. But later, it was discovered that the cracks were due to a problem with the original design.
Rebuilding the Wheel
Because of the design issues, the company decided to build a new wheel. 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. Sanoyas, the company that built the first wheel, took responsibility and rebuilt it.
The rebuilding process started in late 2009. It was a very complex job, and bad weather often caused delays. Workers had to be careful because cranes and lifts couldn't operate in strong winds or heavy rain.
In November 2011, there was an incident during reconstruction. Strong winds caused the wheel to break free from its temporary supports and start turning. One worker had minor injuries while getting to safety. This caused more delays.
Many experts, including those who worked on the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer, helped redesign the wheel. The goal was to make sure it was safe and strong.
The Melbourne Star: A New Beginning
Continuing the Reconstruction
On 27 April 2013, the wheel was given a new name: the Melbourne Star. The original cabins, which had been stored, were reinstalled. This was a slow process, taking most of a day for each cabin, depending on the weather. The only major change to the cabins was an upgrade to their sound systems.
In October 2013, Sanoyas bought the wheel. They aimed to reopen it in about ten weeks. About 100 new jobs were created for the attraction.
Reopening and Later Challenges
Construction finished in early December 2013. After many years of waiting, the Melbourne Star finally reopened to visitors on 23 December 2013. This was almost five years after the first wheel closed.
After its reopening, the wheel experienced a few minor technical issues. For example, a cracked window was found in one cabin, which was quickly repaired. On another occasion, the wheel stopped unexpectedly for a short time. These issues were investigated by technicians to ensure everything was working correctly and safely.
Final Closure and Future Plans
On 6 September 2021, the Melbourne Star closed its doors. This decision was made because of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and new tall buildings being built nearby. The wheel was later bought by a company called RoBu Group.
Even though it was announced as permanently closed, there's good news! In August 2025, it was announced that the Melbourne Star is planned to reopen in 2026. Many people are excited for this giant observation wheel to welcome visitors again.
