Once Melbourne's 'laughing stock', Star ferris wheel turns again

The large Ferris wheel on the outskirts of Melbourne's CBD has sprung back to life, five years after a COVID-era downturn forced its closure. The Melbourne Star has closed for years at a time since its opening in 2008 and its new owners acknowledging it was seen as "a laughing stock". A business leader says the attraction will entice an extra 300,000 people each year to Melbourne's Docklands. American rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival memorably belted out the lyric: "Big wheel, keep on turning". But the famed Proud Mary line does not always hold true in Melbourne, where the Melbourne Star has had more than a few false starts since its inaugural turn in 2008. The Docklands landmark was closed due to structural concerns 40 days later. But this week the Melbourne Star rotated back into action after five years sitting stationary due to the COVID-era tourism downturn. Owner-operators Jane and Jay Jones believe 2026 will be a turning point for the tourist attraction in more ways than one. "We're confident. We're wheel people — that's what we are," Mr Jones said. "Tourism is growing. We're turning around since COVID. "This is a big icon that the COVID past of Melbourne is gone, the ring of steel is gone." Mr Jones acknowledged the wheel's frequent closures had become the butt of many jokes. After its ill-fated opening in 2008 it was motionless for almost five years and at one point became a state election issue. The wheel has special significance for the pair. They use to visit regularly before its 2021 closure then often observed it from Charli-Koko's window at the Royal Children's Hospital during lengthy stays. "To cut the ribbon and push the button at the start for Charli-Koko, it's brought us so much joy," Ms Olsen said.