Latest news with #SkylineAttractions
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: The infamous Melbourne Star will spin again in 2026
It's been a sad four 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, an exact opening date is yet to be announced, the team has confirmed a few key details about the Melbourne Star's renaissance. 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. 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.
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Melbourne Star to turn again after four-year closure – but keen riders will have to wait
The long-dormant Melbourne Star Observation Wheel in Docklands will officially reopen within the next 16 months, following an $11 million investment deal with new Swiss and American backers. The new ownership group has committed to having the wheel turning again by the end of 2026. Lord Mayor Nick Reece hailed the announcement as a 'wheelie, wheelie great day for Melbourne' at a press conference on Monday morning beneath the wheel. He described the attraction's return as a major symbol of the waterfront suburb's revival, saying that 'Docklands is going from strength to strength at the moment'. 'We recently saw Coles announce they're moving their headquarters here with 5000 employees. Sonic Healthcare is opening their Melbourne centre next door, bringing close to 1000 employees into Docklands,' Reece said. 'And now, with the Docklands wheel to spin again, we'll see close to 250 to 300,000 visitors a year coming into this part of Melbourne. You put that all together, and it is good times ahead for Docklands. It's a wonderful, wonderful day for our city.' The revived wheel will be managed by a new partnership between MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, the owner of the 120-metre-tall wheel, and international amusement companies Robu Group (Swiss-based), Ray Cammack Shows (American), and Melbourne-based family business Skyline Attractions. Skyline Attractions, which owns and operates other wheels across Australia, will be responsible for the Melbourne Star's daily operations. MB Star Properties Pty Ltd announced the immediate closure of the wheel in September 2021 as it went into liquidation, citing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-existing difficulties amid 'increased high-rise development and changes' in Docklands.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Full circle: Melbourne's beleaguered Star ferris wheel to turn again
After laying dormant for almost four years, the beleaguered Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is expected to turn once more, although one of its new owners admits he's nervous given 'it's failed so many times before'. On Monday, it was announced that MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, the owner of the 120-metre structure that went into liquidation in 2021, will be restructured under an $11m takeover. Under the deal, a new partnership will take control of the wheel, made up of Melbourne-based Skyline Attractions, the operator of several smaller wheels including at the nearby Melbourne Convention Centre; US-based Ray Cammack Shows, which operates wheels at major events including Coachella and the Los Angeles County Fair; and RoBu Group, which bought the wheel in early 2021. Skyline Attractions, run by husband and wife Jay and Jane Jones, will oversee day-to-day operations. The attraction is scheduled to reopen in 2026, although Jay Jones declined to provide a specific date. He said years of inactivity meant 'a lot of maintenance' was required and the team wanted to manage expectations. Sign up: AU Breaking News email 'Over many years, this thing has been over promised and under delivered. We don't want to do that,' he told reporters on Monday. Planned upgrades also include repainting the wheel, installing new motors and refurbishing cabins with better wifi. Jones said the project would help make Docklands – one of Melbourne's most divisive suburbs – 'shine' again. 'Anyone who hasn't been to the Docklands thinks, 'Oh, the Docklands is terrible.' But actually, we came down here for the ice skating a couple of weekends ago, and the place had an atmosphere. The only problem was the big dark thing in the middle of it,' he said, referring to the wheel. 'Every city has got a major observation wheel, people go on them, and the Docklands are doing a great job of making this place an entertainment precinct that's not just for gamblers. I think this is a real opportunity to get it working again.' Jones said he was nervous, given the wheel's checkered past. 'It's failed so many times before. Of course, I'm nervous. But that's made us do our due diligence over and over again … it is a world-class piece of equipment in a world-class city, so why can't we make it work?' Jones said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Initially called the Southern Star Observation Wheel, the Melbourne Star first opened in late 2008 but only operated for 40 days before closing, after a contract worker inadvertently discovered cracks in the steel up to three metres long. The fault was at first attributed to a heatwave, but later turned out be a structural problem. Much of the 40-storey, 1,500-tonne structure was sold for scrap and the wheel was redesigned and rebuilt from scratch. In 2011, during reconstruction works, the wheel broke free from its restraints, began rolling in strong winds and injured a worker. A year later, a spokesperson for the wheel said it could reopen as early as January 2013 if Melbourne had 'no wind, no rain for the next four months'. With its new name, the Melbourne Star eventually reopened in December 2013 – but closed for good in September 2021 when its operators went into liquidation, blaming 'the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions and sustained shutdowns, adding to pre-existing challenges of operating amid increased high-rise development and changes in the Docklands area'. Lord mayor Nicholas Reece, whose recent reelection bid included reviving the wheel, said the City of Melbourne had been involved in 'many behind-the-scenes conversations to help get the Star turning once more'. 'I'm stoked we can now celebrate openly with the rest of the city, and I can't wait for the maiden voyage,' Reece said. The new team behind the Melbourne Star anticipates it will welcome a quarter of a million visitors in the first year of operation.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel's future finally revealed
The long-dormant Melbourne Star Observation Wheel in Docklands is officially set to re-open in 2026, its owners have announced. A press release issued on Monday said the revived wheel will be managed by a new partnership between MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, the owner of the 120-metre-tall wheel, and amusement companies The Robu Group, Ray Cammack Shows, and Melbourne-based family business Skyline Attractions. Skyline Attractions, which owns and operates other wheels across Australia, will be responsible for managing the Melbourne Star. Details of the plan will be detailed in a press conference with the owners and Lord Mayor Nick Reece this morning. Skyline Attractions Business Manager Jane Jones said after being dormant for four years it would be a 'tremendous honour and labour of love' to bring it back to life. 'We are committed to creating something truly exceptional, something all Melburnians can feel proud of,' she said. Reece said the council had been working behind the scenes to secure the attraction's future. 'I'm stoked we can now celebrate openly with the rest of the city, and I can't wait for the maiden voyage.'
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel's future finally revealed
The long-dormant Melbourne Star Observation Wheel in Docklands is officially set to re-open in 2026, its owners have announced. A press release issued on Monday said the revived wheel will be managed by a new partnership between MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, the owner of the 120-metre-tall wheel, and amusement companies The Robu Group, Ray Cammack Shows, and Melbourne-based family business Skyline Attractions. Skyline Attractions, which owns and operates other wheels across Australia, will be responsible for managing the Melbourne Star. Details of the plan will be detailed in a press conference with the owners and Lord Mayor Nick Reece this morning. Skyline Attractions Business Manager Jane Jones said after being dormant for four years it would be a 'tremendous honour and labour of love' to bring it back to life. 'We are committed to creating something truly exceptional, something all Melburnians can feel proud of,' she said. Reece said the council had been working behind the scenes to secure the attraction's future. 'I'm stoked we can now celebrate openly with the rest of the city, and I can't wait for the maiden voyage.'
