"Where did the Ferris wheel in Darling Harbour suddenly come from?"

Sydney's version of the 'London Eye', the Skyview Observation Wheel, seemingly arrived on the forecourt of the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour overnight. Not quite, says Peter Hiland, the Location and Marketing Manager for Skyview. It was installed in three days and operational on the fourth, December 1. "It's a remarkable engineering feat, with 36 high-tech, fully enclosed air conditioned gondolas," says Hiland. Gondolas? "Yes, it is very romantic, and they seem to have that effect. We've already had two wedding proposals and some people have tried other 'intimate acts' on the ride. They have to be pretty adventurous because the carriages are completely glass and a full rotation only takes around three minutes. I suppose, that might be long enough for some." Built for $5 million by the Dutch company Mondial, who regard themselves as the world's best wheel dealers, it transports 220 people (1,200 people per hour) giving views across the Darling Harbour precinct and to the city skyline. At 46 metres, it's the largest relocatable wheel in the southern hemisphere, coming in just two metres below one at England's Windsor Castle.

As supporters of Sophie Delezio's Day of Difference Foundation, part of the Skyview ticket price will be donated to the charity and the gondolas will be auctioned off by the Foundation for lucky punters to watch the NYE fireworks display. SN

explain@timeoutsydney.com.au

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