Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Peter Ryan, the first passenger to ride the observation wheel, said the Melbourne Star would further enhance Melbourne's reputation as a leading tourism destination as well as significantly boosting the Docklands economy.
"I look forward to the Melbourne Star attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, enticing people to Melbourne from overseas, interstate and the regions," Mr Ryan said.
"And having now enjoyed the Melbourne Star ride experience, I can truly say it showcases this wonderful city in a completely new way. The views of marvellous Melbourne are indeed marvellous."
Declaring the Melbourne Star open for business, Melbourne Star Management Group CEO Chris Kelly said it was an important and memorable day.
"This is an important day for Melbourne and for the Docklands precinct and an exciting day for visitors to our city," he said. "Melbourne Star offers far more than a ride on a giant observation wheel. It is a significant tourism landmark that, through a host of exciting new features, will provide a new introduction to Melbourne and a new perspective on the city."
At 120 metres high, equivalent to a 40-storey building, and with 21 fully enclosed air-conditioned glass cabins, guests on the Melbourne Star will enjoy a 30 minute flight journey that takes in views of up 40 kilometres, including the Docklands precinct, Melbourne's CBD, Port Phillip Bay, Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges.
Integral to the new Melbourne Star Observation Wheel are a range of new features that will help ensure its place as must-do Melbourne destination.
These include the "Tales of Melbourne", a colourful, interpretative multimedia display in the pre-boarding area, and all-new specially researched cabin audio that provides a wealth of information about Melbourne, including its history, culture, eccentricities and the 'Star' qualities of modern Melbourne.Three and a half kilometres of LED lighting have been incorporated into the Melbourne Star's new design and this will provide a spectacular nightly lighting show involving more than 15 million different light combinations and give the observation wheel a starring role in many of Melbourne's major events.
Melbourne Star will provide an important new venue centre for Melbourne and the Docklands precinct, with a range of dedicated function spaces, with catering provided exclusively by Peter Rowland Catering. The Star Piazza, at the base of the Star, has the capacity to host a cocktail reception for up to 1500 people, making it one of Melbourne's largest open-air event venues and a key addition to supporting Melbourne's reputation as a business events destination.
Through a partnership with Magic Memories, Melbourne Star guests will have the opportunity to leave with a special photographic souvenir of their Star experience.
Finally, there is an all-new gift shop offering will some special and unusual highlights of the Melbourne Star experience, many created by some of Melbourne's leading artists. The shop features a three-metre high to-scale motorised Lego model of the observation wheel.
The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel will open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, with the last departure at 9.30 pm. It will open at 1 pm on Christmas Day and ANZAC Day.
Value-packed family ticket options are available, with a family ticket for one adult and two children costing for $56 and a ticket for two adults and two children available for $82. Single adults will be able to experience the Melbourne Star for $32 and a single ticket for a child aged between five and 15 will cost $19. Additional ticket options including a range of Star Experience packages, providing unique ways to celebrate a special occasion, will be announced in early 2014.
"We have all been waiting quite some time for the Melbourne Star to open and I thank Melbourne for its patience," Mr Kelly said. "But it has been worth the wait. A day or night visit to Melbourne Star will be the perfect introduction to Melbourne for visitors and a whole new view and perspective of the city for locals. The Melbourne Star experience encapsulates everything that makes Melbourne the unique and special city that Melburnians are so proud of. "
The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is the first solid steel wheel design to be built in the world to this size. It incorporates 1736 tonnes of steel and 7.5 kilometres of steel piping in its structure. The central hub and bearings weigh 77 tonnes, equal to the weight of to 93 Holden Commodores, and two specially fabricated asymmetrical columns each weighing 73 tonnes support the massive weight of the Melbourne Star.
"The striking 'star within a star" design, the extraordinary engineering detail and the complex issues involved in the design and engineering is generating significant interest within the engineering community," Mr Kelly said. "It is a very worthy addition to the Melbourne skyline." Melbourne Star is owned by Sanoyas Rides Australia Pty Ltd and is managed by the Melbourne Star Management Group.
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