Melbourne Star observation wheel reopens after COVID-19 closure, marking a revival for Docklands

Consensus Summary

The Melbourne Star observation wheel in Melbourne’s Docklands has reopened after a five-year closure triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a symbolic revival for the struggling precinct. Both the *Guardian* and ABC confirm the wheel, which had been stationary since September 2021, resumed operations in 2026 under new ownership, drawing long queues of visitors eager to experience its improved amenities. The reopening follows a tumultuous history, including structural failures, a pelican attack, and multiple redesigns, which had earned it a reputation as Melbourne’s ‘laughing stock,’ according to ABC. The *Guardian* notes the wheel’s lighting upgrade in July 2026 transformed its once-criticized appearance into a ‘dazzling and mesmerizing’ spectacle, while ABC highlights its new owners, Jay and Jane Jones, who acquired it in 2024 and positioned it as a key tourist draw.

The Melbourne Star’s troubled past began with its inaugural turn in 2008, when it was shut down just 40 days later due to structural concerns, as both sources agree. ABC details how the wheel was dismantled and rebuilt, reopening in late 2013 before facing another closure in 2021 amid pandemic restrictions. The *Guardian* adds context by describing the wheel’s earlier redesigns, including a complete overhaul from scratch, and its association with injuries, stranded passengers, and even a pelican assault. Both outlets frame the reopening as a turning point for Docklands, an area that has struggled with declining foot traffic and infrastructure issues, such as the closure of Victoria Promenade Harbour Esplanade until at least the end of 2026, as reported by the *Guardian*.

Key figures in the Melbourne Star’s revival include Jay and Jane Jones, who met in 2007 and now operate the attraction, and Melanie Olsen and her daughter Charli-Koko Vance, whose emotional connection to the wheel—including turning its lights back on in July 2026—was highlighted by ABC. The *Guardian* quotes Olsen describing the moment as ‘brought us so much joy,’ while ABC emphasizes the wheel’s potential to draw 300,000 additional visitors annually, a claim supported by Docklands entertainment precinct chief executive Jonathan Codman. Both sources also note the wheel’s role in Docklands’ broader efforts to attract tourism, though the *Guardian* ties this to smaller but significant events, such as the sold-out Australian Ice Hockey League Finals tickets in June 2026 and the filming of *Deadlocked*, an action movie starring Jamie Foxx.

While both articles align on the core details of the Melbourne Star’s reopening, they diverge in emphasis and specific anecdotes. The *Guardian* focuses on the wheel’s physical improvements, such as its lighting and VIP cabins, as well as the broader decline of Docklands, including the demolition of the Central Pier in 2025 and the sinking infrastructure. ABC, meanwhile, stresses the wheel’s symbolic importance as a post-COVID recovery icon and its potential economic impact, quoting business leaders and highlighting the emotional significance for families like the Olsens. The *Guardian* also includes more colorful historical details, such as the pelican attack and the wheel’s earlier redesigns, while ABC leans into the wheel’s political and cultural baggage, including its status as a state election issue.

Despite the optimism surrounding the Melbourne Star’s reopening, both sources acknowledge lingering challenges for Docklands. The *Guardian* points to ongoing infrastructure problems, such as the closed Victoria Promenade, and the area’s reputation as a ‘suburb that never wakes up,’ while ABC notes the wheel’s past as a cautionary tale of Melbourne’s struggles with major projects. The unresolved question, as framed by both outlets, is whether the Melbourne Star’s revival will translate into sustained tourism growth or if it will face further setbacks. The *Guardian* invokes the ancient symbol of the Wheel of Fortune to suggest the outcome remains uncertain, while ABC’s focus on visitor numbers and economic projections implies a more measured hope for the future.