Cairns Reef Eye Ferris wheel operators Westshell want to keep attraction on Esplanade all-year round

The operators of a major Cairns attraction which gives locals and visitors a chance to see the city from a birds-eye view aren’t ready to pull up stumps yet. Find out what they want to do.

The operators of an attraction which gives locals and visitors a chance to see the city from a birds-eye view have expressed their interest to keep it as a whole year round drawcard.

The Reef Eye ferris wheel returned to operation on Friday, June 24 after a three-month trial in 2019.

Westshell chief operating officer Jessica Harris said the ferris wheel had been extremely popular among tourists and locals.

“Everyone in the public loves it at the moment in Cairns, it’s a great tourist attraction,” Ms Harris said.

Andy Clark and his daughter Lexi Clark, 4, took a ride on the Reef Eye while holidaying in Cairns from Brisbane. Picture: Brendan Radke

The ferris wheel was scheduled to be packed up in January after a seven month agreement with council, but Ms Harris said the company were keen to extend.

“We are talking to council to extend, but at the moment nothing has been said or done,” she said.

“At the moment we’ve got no information but we are currently talking to the council, from our side, we would love to stay and be apart of the furniture of Cairns.”

Brisbane tourist Andy Clark went on the ferris wheel on Wednesday morning with his four-year-old Lexi and absolutely loved it.

“We thought it was fantastic, the views at the top were spectacular,” Mr Clark said.

The Reef Eye ferris wheel on the Cairns Esplanade is meant to pack up just after Christmas. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Reef Eye since its inception has been popular among families and Mr Clark said it helped add another element to a great tourist destination.

“We headed out to the reef when we first got here, Lexi really enjoyed it, as a four-year-old,” he said.

“It’s definitely a great family-friendly addition to the holiday.”

Mr Clark said he thought the Reef Eye should be extended past January.

“A lot of cities around the world and in Australia have a little ferris wheel all year round. Brisbane and Melbourne do so why not Cairns,” he said.

Cairns Councillor Amy Eden told the Cairns Post in June there would be a break after seven months to allow the lawn to heal.

“One of the reasons it goes away in the cyclone season is for safety. We get some hardcore rain,” she said.

Cairns Regional Council Lifestyle and Community director Destry Puia said the original agreement avoids the unpredictable wet season between February and April.

“Council is currently considering this request, including assessing risk management relating to cyclones and storm surge and importantly community expectations,” he said.

Originally published as Cairns Reef Eye Ferris wheel operators Westshell want to keep attraction on Esplanade all-year round