The biggest attraction on the Sunshine Coast is extending its stay as residents and visitors just can’t get enough of riding Australia’s tallest travelling, portable observation ferris wheel.
The giant Skyline wheel will stay an additional week on the Caloundra beachfront so anyone who has missed the chance to get a 35m-high bird’s-eye view of our region can now jump on board one of the 24 gondolas.
More than 38,000 people have gone for a spin since the wheel started turning in Caloundra on 14 June.
The Sunshine Coast has demonstrated how much we love to ride with our family and friends, with the highest percentage of gondolas sold-out when compared to other recent wheel destinations of Glenelg and St Kilda.
Families have been lining the footpath to ride and entries have flowed in thick and fast to win a date night on the wheel.
One entrant wrote: “Lifetime Dates #MyGrandsons These little Guys have a date with my heart for life… Making memories a fortnight ago in Caloundra on the Skyline Wheel!”.
“A moment in time with a gorgeous view that is etched in our memories forever,” another entry said.
“Little 4 year old Aria had a wonderful time riding the gondola with her family of 6 at sunset. After the ride, she was excited to see the lights on the Ferris wheel and stopped with awe as it spun around. Her mummy took this capture to remember this happy moment!” a delighted rider told us.
But it is not just riders that are celebrating the extension. More than 10 per cent of tickets have been sold through local businesses, and the Sandbar owners are thrilled with the boost to patronage they’ve experienced.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed having the Skyline Ferris Wheel in Caloundra, it has been a phenomenal success and we feel that it is definitely giving people another reason to visit the beach,” Sandbar owner John Ktenidis said.
“There has been a lot of local support and we are finding that the visitors to Caloundra are pleasantly surprised with the vibrancy of our little community. We fully support the wheel being in its current location for the balance of the winter and would welcome it back year upon year,” co-owner Sharon Collins said.
The wheel is located in the Bulcock Beach car park on The Esplanade in Caloundra. Free parking is available at the Cooma Terrace Parking Station, 400m away.
Visit council’s website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
