The iconic Melbourne Star giant observation wheel is closing for good after almost 15 years of operation
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06.09.2021

The iconic Melbourne Star giant observation wheel is closing for good after almost 15 years of operation

The Docklands tourist attraction has been part of Melbourne's skyline for more than 15 years.

Hailed as one of the largest giant observation wheels in the world, the Melbourne Star in Docklands is set to close permanently due to COVID-19 travel and lockdown restrictions that have plagued Victoria.

The key takeaways

  • The Melbourne Star will close after 15 years in operation due to COVID-19 travel and restrictions
  • The popular attraction in Docklands will be permanently closed and the company placed into liquidation
  •  International and interstate tourists made up 45 per cent of the business in the past

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The directors of Melbourne Star have announced the wheel’s operating company, MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, will go into liquidation this week.

“It is with a heavy heart that the directors of Melbourne Star, Melbourne’s giant observation wheel at Docklands, today announce the iconic attraction will close permanently and the operating company, MB Star Properties Pty Ltd, will be placed into liquidation,” they revealed in a statement.

“Unfortunately, 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, has made it impossible to sustain the business.

“The directors of the wheel are absolutely committed to doing the right thing by our dedicated team and have made arrangements to ensure all our employees will be paid their full entitlements.

“We thank Victorians, our staff, partners, suppliers, and supporters for enabling the Melbourne Star to provide a world-class experience for millions of people from around Australia and the world.”

The giant observation wheel has been a part of the city’s skyline for more than 15 years, during which time it has welcomed more than 300,000 visitors every year, with international and interstate tourists making up 45 per cent of the business.

Day or night, guests would be granted the feeling of being on top of the world as the Melbourne Star glided on its gentle arc through the sky. No spin would be the same, as you watched the constantly changing drama of the busy port, scenic gardens, bustling streets and bright lights of the city below.

Boasting spectacular views reaching up to 40km from Melbourne’s CBD and Port Phillip through to Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges in the distance, the 21 spacious, temperature-controlled cabins truly gave locals and tourists alike an unparalleled, 360-degree view of the city.

With its striking scale and innovative design, Melbourne Star was an iconic feature of Melbourne’s waterfront precinct, Docklands. A spectacular LED display transformed the wheel into a giant, glittering kaleidoscope of colour, with over five million different combinations which can be synchronised with music, giving you a complete sensory experience unlike any other.

As one of the largest giant observation wheels in the world, it truly will be missed.


You can read the full statement here. 

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