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22 December 2008
Melbourne, Australia: The Southern Star observation wheel, the most anticipated Melbourne tourism attraction to have been built in decades, has opened.
On Saturday, 20 December 2008 hundreds of locals and tourists alike were the first to take a flight on the iconic new tourism attraction and experience the spectacular views overlooking Melbourne’s CBD, Victoria Harbour and beyond.
Located at Waterfront City in Melbourne Docklands, the Southern Star is the first giant observation wheel to be built in Australia and is destined to become a major tourism destination for Melbourne and Australia.
Key features include:
- Unique star design formed in the shape of the seven-pointed Federation Star
- 120 metres in height (equal to a 40 storey building)
- 21 cabins capable of holding up to 20 people each
- 30 minute flight experience
- Open 365 days a year
It costs AU$29 per adult and AU$17 per child to take a flight on the Southern Star. Cabins are also available for private hire for marriage proposals, weddings, birthdays and other special events. At the base of the wheel, the 3-level Star Building and function centre provide undercover boarding and disembarkation, cafés, kiosks, souvenir and retail outlets. Within it, the Star Room holds up to 400 for cocktails or over 200 for sit-down functions. There are also two private boardrooms. Star Room guests receive special VIP access to their Southern Star flight.
The opening day culminated in an action packed afternoon of Grand Opening entertainment including DJs performing on elevated scissor lifts in the Star Piazza, roaming entertainment throughout Harbour Town and a spectacular fireworks display to light up Melbourne’s night sky.
Southern Star observation wheel is the anchor attraction of the ING Real Estate’s Waterfront City development in Melbourne’s Docklands. Waterfront City is Melbourne’s most exciting new retail, residential, commercial, event and entertainment precinct. It includes the recently opened Harbour Town shopping centre of brand direct and specialty stores, Australia’s first Costco warehouse (currently under construction) and residential apartments. Future developments include a 5-star boutique hotel, a 3-4 star hotel and the National Ice Sports Centre.
SOUTHERN STAR OBSERVATION WHEEL FACT SHEET
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| The opening of the Southern Star was staged by Peter Jones Special Events photo by Jeffrey Yates |
The construction
- 1650 tonnes of steel has been used in construction
- 10 kilometres of steel piping
- Features 38,000 special hi-tensile bolts
- Biggest bolts are 48mm in diameter
- 12,500 square metres of paint used
- Wheel structure manufactured in Melbourne suburb of Dandenong
- Supporting columns manufactured in Tasmania
- Cabins, hubs and spindle are being manufactured in Japan
- Wheel features two unique asymmetric support columns weighing 73 tonnes each
- The longest columns are over 70 metres in length and over 2.5 metres wide
- The inner hub and bearing weigh 150 tonnes but are so finely balanced they can be moved by hand
The structure
- A 120 metre high moving structure
- Equal in height to a 40 storey building
- Unique ‘star’ design and asymmetric legs
- Features 3.7 kilometres of state-of-the-art LED lighting system
- Designed by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation, renowned Japanese manufacturer specialising in giant wheels as well as 100,000 tonne container ships
The cabins
- 21 air-conditioned fully-enclosed cabins capable of holding up to 20 people each
- Each cabin measures 5.7 metres in length and 3.7 metres in width
- Cabins are fully powered, ensuring a flat and stable platform for unobstructed views
- A central seat and room to walk around inside and enjoy the view from ever-changing vantage points
- Floor to ceiling glass walls made by Melbourne company Glassform®. The spectrally selective curved glass simultaneously transmits light and reflects heat, enabling maximum visibility
- Cabins linked to the ground via intercom and wireless links
The experience
- Each flight will be a 30-minute experience
- Views up to 40 kilometres and as far as Geelong
- Southern Star rarely stops and passengers can board the structure whilst it is still in motion
- Cabins are able to be hired for private use
- Cost is $29 per adult, $17 per child
- Open to the public every day of the year
- Up to 1.5 million passengers are expected to visit the wheel in its first year, making it one of Australia’s most popular ticketed tourist attractions
- Anchored by a three-level support building incorporating function centre, retail/cafe, ticket office and boarding areas
- Located at Waterfront City, visitors also have an excellent range of restaurants, entertainment, specialty retailers and Brand Direct outlets in the immediate vicinity
The facilities
· Star Room – 400 guests for cocktails or 200 for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
· Board Rooms - 2 private board rooms for small meetings.
· Star Piazza - A landscaped alfresco area under Southern Star it can cater for thousands.
· Private Cabins – Catering for up to 20 guests in a private cabin – sunset flights, new moon orbits, even weddings.
· In Cabin Dining – From hors d’oeuvres to fine dining, serve yourself or full butler attention.
· Cupid Cabin – A romantic, unique food and beverage experience, just for two.
· Weddings – A marriage made in heaven combined with a Star Room reception.
Opening Hours
· Regular hours are 10am – 10pm
· Christmas Day (25 December) and Anzac Day (25 April) hours are 1pm – 10pm.
· Southern Star is open 365 days a year.
The Southern Star is a design and construction undertaking by ING Real Estate Development Australia, Japanese manufacturer Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation, head contractor Hansen Yuncken and steel fabricator and erector, Alfasi Steel Constructions.
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