Southern Star Observation Wheel

Sadly, the Southern Star Observation Wheel is currently closed for maintenance after the hot spell experienced in January 2009. No definite date has been announced for when it will be back in operation.

Friday, 30 January 2009 | OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Fred Maybury, chairman of the Southern Star Management Group, advised today that the Southern Star observation wheel is currently not operating. “The excessive heat over the last few days has buckled some bracing members. The wheel has operated successfully and without issue since 20 December 2008, however a decision has been made not to operate the wheel until a full inspection can be undertaken and rectification work carried out. Wheel operations will recommence once this issue is resolved,” he said.

April 2009 Update

PARTS of the crippled Southern Star Observation Wheel will be dismantled and completely replaced during a 12-month repair program.

Southern Star chairman Fred Maybury said a decision will be made in the next two to four weeks as to the logistics of the repair work and where it will be carried out.

We find it interesting that these decisions and repairs are taking so long given it is surely a 'warranty' claim against the designers Sanoyas Hishino Meisho.

Southern Star Observation Wheel

The Observation Wheel is a stunning addition to the Melbourne landscape that boasts some of the most spectacular views over Melbourne and beyond.

The $40 million ferris wheel based on the London Eye is almost 120m, around 38 storeys into the air featuring 21 airconditioned glass cabins that showcase views stretching as far as Geelong.