Melbourne Star Observation Wheel confirms late December opening

Almost five years since it first began turning, the operators of the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel have confirmed that the giant wheel will reopen in late December.

Melbourne Star Management Group Chief Exectuive Chris Kelly today (6th December) advised "we are working to the earliest possible opening date.

"We are now well into the commissioning process, which is the final stage before opening, but some activities do remain weather dependent.

"The message at the moment is 'watch this space'."

The Melbourne Star Management Group has also announced family ticket options will be offered on opening.

A family ticket for one adult and two children will be available for $56 and a family ticket for two adults and two children will be available for $82. Single adults will be able to experience the Melbourne Star for $32 and a single ticket for a child aged between five and 15 will cost $19.

Kelly said Melbourne's newest tourism landmark would offer a unique experience of the city at affordable prices for families, adding "the family ticket is just one component of a range of ticket options and Melbourne Star experiences that will be offered.

"The 30-minute Melbourne Star ride, during which our guests will enjoy views of up to 40 kilometres, will be complemented by information and stories about Melbourne that will inform and surprise locals and visitors alike."

Upon opening, guests on the Melbourne Star will enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views encompassing the Docklands precinct, Melbournes CBD, Port Phillip Bay and as far as Mount Macedon, Arthurs Seat and the Dandenong Ranges.

The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel will be the Southern Hemisphere's only giant observation wheel and the first, more complex, solid steel wheel design to be built in the world to this size.

At 120 metres high, the Melbourne Star is double the height of the West Gate Bridge carriage way and equivalent to a 40-storey building.

Originally known as the Southern Star Observation Wheel, the troubled $100 million attraction closed in early 2009 after just 40 days of operation when cracks appeared in the structure.

Initially the cracks were thought to have been caused by the high temperatures of the 2008/2009 summer but problems in wheel's original design were subsequently discovered.

In October, the giant wheel was been sold to the Sanoyas Rides Corporation, the Japanese group that designed and built the attraction.

For more information go to www.melbournestar.com

Image: The Southern Star (as it was known at its opening) during its 40 days of operations in 2008.

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