The Southern Star, Giant observation wheel in Docklands, Australia
The Southern Star is a large observation wheel rising 120 meters above the waterfront in Melbourne's Docklands district. The structure features seven radiating spokes that echo the stars on the Australian flag, with climate-controlled cabins enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass panels.
The wheel opened to the public in December 2008 but had to shut down after only 40 days because of technical faults. Engineers then rebuilt the entire wheel mechanism, allowing the attraction to reopen years later.
The passenger cabins offer panoramic views extending to Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay, Mount Macedon, and the Dandenong Ranges during the rotation.
Each cabin holds up to 20 people and turns slowly for about half an hour during a full rotation. On clear days, the view reaches across the city center, the bay, and the distant hills far beyond the waterfront.
A Japanese corporation designed the structure and spent roughly 100 million Australian dollars on its construction. Despite the careful planning, technical flaws appeared only weeks after opening and required engineers to rebuild the entire wheel mechanism.
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Observation wheels allow the exploration of cities and their surroundings from heights ranging from 25 to 250 meters. These steel structures rotate slowly, giving visitors time to observe monuments, watercourses, and neighborhoods spread at their feet. In London, the London Eye looms over the Thames...
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