Well, you taught me something today. I had no idea they were planning one.

My research on the web tells me 'late 2008'. To get a more specific idea, you might want to contact the developers of Waterfront City:

waterfrontcity.com.au/ContactUs/…Default.aspx

At this stage I dont think it's anywhere near being ready so it will definitely be LATE 2008. I imagine they'll want to get it open before Christmas school holidays and the good weather.

Last I read The Sky Wheel is a bit over half completed...and it's massive! I am excited about this part of the development but not much else (do we need more shopping? Oops..I forget it's Melbourne!).

Adelaide, why excited about the sky wheel? It's an eyesore that Melbourne doesn't need and no-one will use, isn't it?

Thanks for your reply.

Where is the best outlet shopping to be found in Melbourne? have a 14year old travling with us!!!!

There's a Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) mall at Spencer Street/Southern Cross Station. It's not as good as the other DFOs in Essendon and Cheltenham, but the only one accessible without a car.

If you do have a car, I highly recommend the Cheltenham one, as well as BrandSmart in Nunawading.

Yes the SkyWheel will give great views of the railyards and other industrial parts of the city immediately surronding it, plus have 4 large apartment towers within several hundred metres blocking parts of its view. Lol. Although it will have some good views of the distant city highrises I think this attraction was def built in the wrong place.

What can I say Kate? I like ferris wheels! It's the little kiddie in me! Apparently you will be able to see right down to the Peninsula and the Heads on a clear day. Cool stuff :-)

Personally, I'm not against a little development and it's definitely IMO an improvement on what used to be there i.e. nothing. A bit like all the hoo-ha about the Casino development 10 odd years ago but, geez, regardless of whether you agree with gambling it IS a whole bunch nicer now than it was then. Ditto Fed Square. Some people - OK, a lot! - hate it...well, I wasn't so fond of the Gas & Fuel and the FLinders St underpass thingo and I'm glad they're both gone! Some things just aren't worth keeping. Besides which, where could something that size have gone otherwise....you'd have to clear 1/2 the Botanical Gardens!

Adelaide - have you been on the ferris wheel at Birrarung Marr? I've seen it in the distance, but haven't got close up to it. What can you see when you go on it?

-- G

Hi G,

It's so so so so much smaller that it can't be compared...the Birrarung Marr wheel is almost a strictly-for-the-kiddies event being so tiny...however, it's still fun and totally lovely on a sunny day...or romantic on a crisp Melbourne evening. It will be closing for business around July in prep for the biggie opening so you need to get your skates on! You get a nice view of Fed Sq, the River, Southbank etc, the Gardens and MCG/surrounds, and, yes, the railyards which some people apparently have an aversion to ....oh, and Birrarung Marr of course ;-)

Here's a live webcam of the area that shows the progress of the wheel (officially called the Southern Star) and surrounds incl. harbour Town. It will be 38 storeys high - just shy of the London Eye- and a little smaller than the Bolte Bridges' red "sticks" to give you an idea.

www.hansenyuncken.com.au/livecam/camera.html