15 May 2007

Construction moves forward on the Southern Star Observation Wheel in Melbourne's Docklands.

Vertical construction has commenced with the first of the ride's initial supports going up in the last few weeks.

These colossal beams will support the 120 metre (400ft) wheel. The upper section will be placed on the yellow frames and the two halves will be welded together as seen on the beam in the background.

An overview of the site. When completed the Southern Star will be Waterfront City's centrepiece.

This end of the beams will connect at the centre of the wheel.

Work is also underway on the buildings to surround the ride.

23 Jun 2007

By the beginning of June the first of the Southern Stars supports were in place.

The support will be the one closest to the wheel itself.

More supports have been delivered to the site.

Further sections have been welded together.

The supports bear a unique convex shape.

The attraction is set to become an Icon on Melbourne's skyline, and will provide an interesting sight to motorists passing by on the Tullamarine Freeway.

A week later and one of the lateral supports has been painted at the point of welding and lifted into place.

The ride will eventually be of a similar height to the nearby Bolte Bridge, whose towers are visible on the left side of this photograph.

More supports for the ride, including the second main vertical support (leftmost).

Welding continues.

By mid June a 3rd support is in place, as well as a node connecting the 3 supports together.

This completes the support structure for one half of the ride.

An overview of the site.

All remaining supports for the other side of the ride are now on site.

The focus now shifts to the other side of the ride.

04 Apr 2007

Early work has begun on the Southern Star Observation Wheel.

Reinforcing mesh is in place ready for concrete to be poured for the attraction's large footers.

A completed footer can be seen to the left of the support columns.

The green fenced area shows vastness of this attraction. The wheel will eventually be surrounded by smaller amusements.

While the 2008 opening of the attraction is some time away, models and videos on display at the Waterfront City information centre give an indication of how the finished product will look.

28 Jul 2007

July 1st, and construction has further progressed on the Southern Star

The supports on the other side of the wheel have taken their places.

A close up of the point where the hub of the wheel will be connected to the supports.

Looking down from the other side of the site.

Fast forward the the 14th and work continues to progress at a steady pace.

The hub of the wheel is now on site.

A number of sections that will comprise the wheel itself have arrived.

They are all laid out ready for assembly.

A look at the site for another angle.

Stay tuned to Roller-Coaster.com.au for the latest updates on the Southern Star Observation Wheel!

20 Aug 2007

It's mid August and many important features for the Southern Star are taking shape.

The central spokes have been added to the hub of the wheel.

The beginnings of the frame for one of seven spokes that will diverge from the hub. It will actually be the wider end that will attach to the hub.

The small white structures on the ground between the support columns will eventually have the drive rollers for the wheel mounted on them.

An overview of the site.

More steel framework, with an appearance similar to a giant calf feeder, can be seen to the right of the hub.

Looking at the site from the Docklands Drive side.

30 Sep 2007

By September 9th another major landmark in the project had been realised.

The central hub arrangement seen in the last update is now in place.

Back at ground level, a number of the 'spokes' for the wheel can be seen.

A closer look at the hub from another angle.

The structure is already imposing, even though it is still only just over half its final height.

Another look at the spokes. Eventually there will be seven of these in total on the wheel, making the wheel like a giant seven pointed star similar to the one on the Australian national flag.

By September 29th one of the spokes is in place. Seven of these will eventually be in place, giving an appearance similar to the seven pointed star on the Australian flag.

01 Nov 2007

It's October 10th, and the Southern Star now has 3 spokes.

Though four more spokes have yet to be installed, one can be seen lying in front of the wheel...

...With others also on site.

Some of the lighting strips have been installed, and can be seen as black lines on the outward facing sides of the spokes.

The wheel is held securely in place to prevent rotation during work.

A closer look at the anchorage points for the spokes.

By the 30th of October another major milestone had been reached, with all 7 spokes in place.

Interestingly, the structures that can be seen on the right side of the image appear to be grandstands, perhaps for watching the wheel, only time will tell what these end up becoming.

A look at the wheel from the other side.

Finally, a second Australian attraction is able to rival the height of Dreamworld's Giant Drop.