By Tom Reilly
MELBURNIANS finally have the chance to perch 120 metres in the air and take a good, hard look at their city. But at $29 a pop for an adult, is it worth it?
Operators of the Southern Star, the giant Ferris wheel at Docklands, are hoping so as the wheel finally opened to the public yesterday.
Up, up and away: People yesterday were able to take the first rides on Docklands' Southern Star Observation Wheel, Melbourne's answer to the London Eye.Credit: Craig Sillitoe
It initially was intended to be ready for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but problems with parts and planning led to long delays.
Given the wait, yesterday's lunchtime launch was low-key. Soon after 1pm, members of the media were welcomed into the wheel's 21 glass cabins with a glass of champagne and, an hour later, a group of competition winners got their chance to check out the view.
By 5pm, anybody willing to stump up the admission price could ride. Reviews were mixed.
"It was fantastic to be one of the first to take a spin and the view is really impressive — you can see for miles," said Steve Pascoe, who won his ride in a competition.
Others were less enthusiastic. "It's a bit dull. There's nothing really that interesting to look down on and I certainly wouldn't pay 30 bucks to do it again," muttered another winner.
The Southern Star is unashamedly modelled on the London Eye, the giant wheel that has proved a money spinner for the British capital. Comparisons are inevitable.
Those who have travelled on the London attraction may be left underwhelmed by the Southern Star. While the London Eye is in the centre of the city and boasts views over landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, taking a "flight" on the Southern Cross is perhaps less awe-inspiring.
At lower elevation the vista is dominated by the concrete and glass of the Docklands. It's a sight of plenty of sites, but much of the area is dominated by vast construction projects.
As the cabins climb higher, at a sedate pace of 11 metres a minute, and you look towards the city you can peer at the mid levels of the steel-and-glass skyscrapers that make up the CBD and are still higher than the top of the wheel's arc.
For those who yearn for greenery, far away in the distance are the Macedon Ranges and a vague outline of Geelong.
The London Eye costs £15 (about $A33) for a ride.
Docklands resident Michael McDonnel, 25, was less than impressed with the new landmark.
"It would be a lot better if it was positioned somewhere that had a decent view of the city, like up near Spring Street. Or maybe even in Sydney," he said.
Such criticism is rejected by the Southern Star's chairman, Fred Maybury.
"I think some people will criticise it no matter what, but we're very happy with the finished product," he said.
"In time the Southern Star will establish itself as a major tourist attraction as it's an incredibly unique way to experience the sights of Melbourne."
Mr Maybury's team estimates that about 1.5 million people a year will pay to take the 30-minute ride.
Of those, Southern Star believes 20 per cent will be locals, 30 per cent will be from within Victoria, 30 per cent from interstate and 20 per cent international visitors.
If the reactions of the wheel's first paying customers are anything to go by, Mr Maybury may be proved correct.
"I thought it was great and I've already called my dad and organised to take him next week," said Sue Abbott, 43, of Moonee Ponds, who was one of the first to pay to take flight on the wheel. She was joined by her children Ella, 9, and Devlin, 6.
"I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was quite interesting looking at the city from that far up," she added.
Southern Star
¦ Its owners claim the 21 capsules offer views of up to 40 kilometres on a fine day.
¦ The wheel is 120 metres tall, equal to a 40-storey building.
¦ An adult ticket will cost $29, children $17.
¦ More than 3.7 kilometres of cables containing LED lights will illuminate the wheel at night.
¦ The structure weighs more than 150 tonnes.