General News
3 March, 2026
Reef Eye here for 10 years
THE Reef Eye ferris wheel will become a permanent fixture on the Esplanade for the next decade.
Cairns regional councillors on Wednesday endorsed a 10-year trustee lease with Westshell Pty Ltd to keep the Reef Eye on the western events lawn.
Operating since its trial in 2019, the Reef Eye has taken hundreds of thousands of riders on a panoramic view of the city and generated significant economic benefit for the city, contributing more than $601,000 in commission to council since 2022.
A council report said the wheel had “operated successfully for several years and is now considered part of the Cairns Esplanade experience”.
“The Reef Eye has been well received by visitors, local business and locals alike, with many positive reviews on various social media platforms,” it said.
“The Reef Eye has become an iconic landmark, synonymous with the Cairns Esplanade and the Cairns destination/brand.
“Westshell Pty Ltd has been an exemplary hirer and remained engaged, responsive to customer feedback and complemented events and passive use of the Cairns Esplanade parklands.”
The report said the ferris wheel had simply been a success.
