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Update Monday, July 27: It's back, baby! Well, kinda – the Melbourne Star will have its lights switched on again this Thursday (July 30), marking a major milestone for the infamous spinning attraction. The huge wheel has been shrouded in darkness since September 2021, until works began last year to restore it to its former glittering, glowing glory. The relighting is a key step in the major engineering and refurbishment project, and a visible sign of momentum as preparations continue for passenger operations to resume.
This entirely new lighting network will be capable of full-colour animation and synchronised sequences, and can be programmed to light up for events, seasons and important city moments. You can head down to District Docklands for the big switch, with the light display and fireworks kicking off at 6.45pm.
As for when the Melbourne Star will spin again, a full overhaul of the mechanical, electrical and safety systems, along with independent engineering reviews, are complete. Final tests, finishing touches and training are currently taking place. The cabins have also been refreshed, and will feature new voiceovers, in-cabin screens, air conditioning and updated storytelling that has been developed with First Nations people to reflect the city's landscape and cultural history.
Watch this space for more info on the exact opening date.
It’s been a sad five years since Melbourne’s iconic (and often much-maligned) ferris wheel ground to a Covid-induced halt. Now, the owners of the Melbourne Star have officially confirmed that the infamous attraction is opening up again – and is due to start spinning in Docklands (hopefully) by the end of 2026.
The 120-metre tall wheel has been standing tragically still since it shut up shop in the September of 2021, with many people assuming this was the end for the Melbourne Star, which had been in operation for 13 years. But now, in excellent news for ferris wheel enthusiasts, the sky-high attraction is coming back.
It’s set to be managed by Skyline Attractions (the same people behind Skyline Melbourne and the St Kilda ferris wheel) in partnership with technology solutions agency the Robu Group and US-based carnival and entertainment company Ray Cammack Shows.
The relaunch of the observation wheel has been described by Lord Mayor Nick Reece as “a huge moment for Melbourne and a vote of confidence in the future of Docklands,” – with the City of Melbourne supporting the project. And he's confident it will spin again before the end of the year, with lighting demonstrations and reported test runs having taken place in the past few weeks.
Further details – including ticketing prices and related activations are yet to be announced, but based on what we’ve seen from the Skyline Attractions team at their other venues, we’re expecting big things. According to the organisers, visitor numbers in the first year are estimated at a quarter of a million.
In the meantime, you’ll just have to get your spinning fix at Skyline, which is located by the Yarra River.
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