Melbourne Star

Melbourne Star
Melbourne Star in December 2013
Former names	Southern Star
General information
Status	Operational
Type	Ferris wheel
Location	Melbourne Docklands, Australia
Coordinates	37°48′40″S 144°56′13″E / 37.8110723°S 144.9368763°E / -37.8110723; 144.9368763Coordinates: 37°48′40″S 144°56′13″E / 37.8110723°S 144.9368763°E / -37.8110723; 144.9368763
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 (previously Southern Star) is a giant Ferris wheel in the Waterfront City precinct in the Docklands area of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia.

Described by its operators as "the Southern Hemisphere's only giant observation wheel", it is 120 m (394 ft) tall and has seven spokes, reflecting the seven-pointed star of the Australian flag.

It opened two years behind schedule in December 2008, but closed 40 days later due to structural defects, and was subsequently dismantled for major repairs. 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, Arthur’s Seat and the Dandenong Ranges."

The project was undertaken by ING Real Estate and the construction consultant was Hansen Yuncken. The wheel was designed and built by Sanoyas Rides Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese ship and amusement park ride builder Sanoyas Holdings Corporation, and the steel builder was Alfasi Steel Constructions.

Construction began in 2006. By 1 March 2008 the outer rim had been completed, and by 21 October air-conditioned enclosed passenger cabins, built in Osaka, Japan, were receiving their fit out. Each cabin weighs 13 tonnes, is 5.7 m (19 ft) long and 3.7 m (12 ft) high, has floor to ceiling glass walls, and can accommodate up to 20 passengers.

The wheel first opened to the public on 20 December 2008, two years behind schedule. Its most recently postponed opening ceremony, scheduled for 28 November 2008, had been cancelled due to bad weather and delays in procuring parts. It had cost an estimated A$100 million to construct and was expected to attract more than one million visitors annually. Tickets cost $29 for adults and $17 for children.