After a nearly four-year period of inactivity, the troubled Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is expected to operate once again. However, one of its new owners, Jay Jones of Skyline Attractions, admits to feelings of apprehension considering the wheel’s history of failures.
Ownership of the 120-metre structure, which went into liquidation in 2021, will transfer under a new partnership as part of an $11 million takeover. This partnership includes Skyline Attractions, US-based Ray Cammack Shows, known for operating wheels at major events such as Coachella and the Los Angeles County Fair, and RoBu Group, the current owner of the wheel.
Maintenance work is extensive, and the attraction is slated for a 2026 reopening, without a specific date confirmed yet by Jones. He emphasizes the need to manage expectations, given the wheel’s pattern of overpromising and underdelivery.
Jones is optimistic, however, about the potential for the wheel, now christened the Melbourne Star, to revitalise Docklands, one of Melbourne’s more contentious suburbs. He envisions the project as part of the broader aim to transform Docklands into a more dynamic entertainment precinct. The owner’s apprehension is tempered by his conviction that the wheel can succeed, noting that it is a “world-class piece of equipment in a world-class city.” Planned upgrades include repainting, motor installation, and improving wifi connectivity within the cabins.
The Melbourne Star, originally named the Southern Star Observation Wheel, initially opened in 2008 but closed shortly after due to structural issues. It subsequently underwent redesign and reconstruction, opening again in 2013 before closing permanently in 2021 when its operators went into liquidation, citing the global Covid-19 pandemic among other challenges.
Lord mayor Nicholas Reece, who included the wheel’s revival in his recent reelection campaign, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s progress, showcasing the City of Melbourne’s role in facilitating these discussions. Authorities anticipate the rejuvenated Melbourne Star will attract a quarter of a million visitors in its first year of operation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/11/full-circle-melbournes-beleaguered-star-ferris-wheel-to-turn-again
