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 | Operational |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | Melbourne Docklands, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°48′43″S 144°56′12″E / 37.8119°S 144.93676°E |
| Construction started | 30 June 2006 |
| Opened | Original wheel: 20 December 2008 Replacement wheel: 23 December 2013 |
| Cost | A$100 million (estimate) |
| Owner | Sanoyas Rides Australia Pty. Ltd. |
| Height | 120 m (394 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Sanoyas |
| Main contractor | Hansen Yuncken |
The Melbourne Star is a huge Ferris wheel located in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Australia. It used to be called the Southern Star.
This amazing wheel is 120 m (394 ft) tall. It has seven spokes, which are like the seven points on the star of the Australian flag.
The Melbourne Star first opened in December 2008, but it had to close just 40 days later. This was because of problems with its structure. The whole wheel was taken apart and a new one was built. The original passenger cabins and support structure were kept. After many delays, the new wheel finally opened on 23 December 2013.
A full ride on the Melbourne Star takes about 30 minutes. From the top, you can see amazing 360-degree views up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) away. You can see the Docklands, Melbourne city, Port Phillip Bay, and even mountains like Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges.
Contents
Building the Melbourne Star
How the Wheel Was Built
Building the Melbourne Star began in 2006. A Japanese company called Sanoyas Rides Corporation designed and built the wheel. Another company, Alfasi Steel Constructions, built the steel parts.
By March 2008, the outer rim of the wheel was finished. The passenger cabins were built in Japan. Each cabin is very large, about 5.7 m (19 ft) long and 3.7 m (12 ft) high. They have glass walls from floor to ceiling and can hold up to 20 people.
First Opening of the Wheel
The wheel first opened to visitors on 20 December 2008. It cost around A$100 million to build. People expected more than a million visitors each year. Tickets cost A$29 for adults and A$17 for children back then.
Why the Wheel Closed Down
On 30 January 2009, just 40 days after opening, the wheel had to close. Workers found cracks up to three metres long in the steel. One part was almost completely broken from where it was joined.
Engineers looked closely at the wheel. They found that the cracks were not caused by hot weather, but by a problem in the original design. There were 14 cracks in the steel.
The company that designed and built the wheel, Sanoyas, took responsibility for the cracks. They agreed to rebuild the wheel for free. Most of the old wheel was sold for scrap metal. However, the main support columns and the passenger cabins were saved and used again.
Rebuilding the wheel started in December 2009. People thought it would reopen in about a year.
Delays and Rebuilding Challenges
Problems During Reconstruction
The rebuilding process faced many challenges. In October 2010, there were reports that workers stopped because they had not been paid. The company said that building the wheel was very tricky. It was often affected by bad weather like rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.
In January 2011, the first of the new spokes for the wheel arrived. Later that year, in November, something unexpected happened. The wheel broke free from its restraints during strong winds. A worker was slightly hurt while trying to get away. The company explained that the bracing used to hold the wheel had failed.
Expert Help and More Delays
In 2012, a team of international experts was brought in to help redesign the wheel. These experts had worked on other famous Ferris wheels like the London Eye.
It was very hard to work on the wheel because of Melbourne's weather. Strong winds and rain often stopped cranes and lifts from working. This meant that a lot of construction time was lost. The company kept delaying the reopening date.
The Melbourne Star Reopens
New Name and Final Preparations
In January 2013, the company announced that the wheel would not reopen until the second half of the year. On 27 April, the wheel was given a new name: the Melbourne Star.
In August 2013, the original passenger cabins were put back onto the new wheel. This was a slow process, taking most of a day for each cabin, depending on the weather. The only change to the cabins was an upgrade to their sound systems.
On 11 October, the company that built the wheel, Sanoyas, bought it from the previous owner. They aimed to reopen the attraction in about ten weeks.
The Grand Reopening
Construction was finished by 6 December 2013. The Melbourne Star officially reopened to visitors at 12 noon on Monday, 23 December 2013. This was almost five years after the first wheel closed down.
Early Incidents After Reopening
Just a few days after reopening, on 26 December, the wheel stopped for a short time. A passenger found a cracked window in their cabin. The company said it was a small problem, probably caused by a bird hitting the glass. They said it was safe and was being repaired.
On 28 December, the wheel stopped again, and people had to get off. It restarted 15 minutes later. The company said it was an "isolated incident" but did not give many details.
Later, some visitors complained about safety. Two families said they were scared when their cabin got stuck and tilted. The company confirmed that an alarm went off but did not say what caused it. They insisted the wheel was safe and open.
Software Issues in 2014
On 24 January 2014, the Melbourne Star closed unexpectedly again. Visitors were told it was due to "windy conditions." However, a spokesperson later said it was a "software problem." The wheel was closed for the rest of the day and reopened the next morning.
