Cairns’ most photographed spinning landmark is getting an upgrade. The Reef Eye, the Ferris wheel that has turned slow circles over the Esplanade since 2019, started coming down on 13 July 2026, and a brand-new wheel is on the way to replace it.
What’s happening to the Reef Eye
Cairns Regional Council confirmed the Reef Eye began being dismantled on 13 July, a job expected to take about three days. It’s being replaced with a permanent, state-of-the-art Ferris wheel built to be more accessible and better suited to the tropics.
Unlike the Reef Eye, which was packed down seasonally, the new wheel is engineered to handle Cairns’ weather and will run all year round. It will also have wheelchair-accessible gondolas, so more people can get that view out over the Esplanade and the Coral Sea.
Mayor Amy Eden said the Reef Eye had welcomed hundreds of thousands of riders since first arriving in the city in 2019, and called the new wheel an investment in one of Cairns’ most popular and photographed attractions.
You won’t miss out in the meantime
Good news if you’re visiting this winter. A temporary wheel, the Bella Vista Ferris wheel, is being installed from 27 July and is expected to reopen to the public on 28 July 2026. It brings 16 illuminated gondolas and colourful LED lighting, so the after-dark Esplanade photo is very much still on.
When the permanent wheel arrives
The new permanent Ferris wheel is expected to arrive and be installed in December 2026. It forms part of Westshell Pty Ltd’s investment after the Council endorsed a 10-year lease for the wheel’s site on the Western Events Lawn. We’ll update this page once it’s spinning.
Where to find it
The wheel sits on the Cairns Esplanade near the Western Events Lawn, an easy walk from the city centre, the Esplanade Lagoon and the boardwalk. It’s one of the easiest landmarks to photograph on the waterfront and a favourite first stop for families.
Source: Cairns Regional Council media release, 13 July 2026. Ride prices and exact dates can change, so check with the operator before you go.
