Don't have an account? Ashley Jeffery The New Daily takes a look back at Australias most loved and forgotten theme parks. 'Skyway' opened 1997. The most notable attractions included The Demon, The Beastie, The Bush Beast and the Snowy River Rampage. Another attraction named 'The Outback Woolshed' was added in 1995, along with an -la-carte-style restaurant. Wobbies World in Melbourne's east opened in 1970 and closed in 1999. Ltd. the operator of wonderland is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Estonia Enterprises Ltd which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern Glory Enterprises Ltd. Eastern Glory Enterprises Ltd is a 60% owned subsidiary of Sunway Lagoon Sdn Bhd which is a 51% owned subsidiary of Suncity.Both Estonia Enterprises Ltd and Eastern Glory Enterprises Ltd are companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. DECEMBER 14, 2004The Demon lift was taken down. Don't have an account? Closed in 1990 to make way for the Australian Wildlife Park. Mr Eddy said he believed development pressures, rather than hard times, had prompted Wonderland's closure. Id only been to Wonderland once before as a kid and I can barely remember it, he told news.com.au. Crowd pleasers Jamberoo Recreation Park visitor numbers: Originally known as. Mr Eddy said the park was on track to exceeding 200,000 visitors this financial year - up from 170,000 in 2002-03 and 165,400 in 2001-02. Australias Wonderland opened in December 1985 on a 219-hectare parcel of land in western Sydney. But other operators and analysts place the blame closer to home. DECEMBER 15, 2004The Snower River Rampage Station, Conveyor and Plant room where destroyed. by Anna Mendoza. These two parallel streets are only 100m apart but an astonishing 20 degrees apart in temperature because one is tree-lined and the other is not. BuzzFeed Staff, Australia. Its headline feature was a jungle boat cruise which allowed visitors to pass large concrete dinosaurs, with speakers set into the grass. "It's a real disappointment to see an asset of Sydney go like that because of a zoning change out of nowhere," he says. Quite an interesting couple of articles, on many fronts and confrims what many of us have been saying about the theme park industry being overall, quite strong. Lewis Carroll's classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, starts with a plunge down a hole in pursuit of a white rabbit before things turn "curiouser and curiouser." Sydney's Wonderland theme park is dead and buried but some of its most popular rides live on after finding new homes at theme parks across the globe. "If nothing else, travelling down the M4 and seeing The Bush Beast, Demon and Space Probe every time they drove by, it was part of the landscape.". The park, aimed primarily at younger children, featured a static Bell helicopter plus a chopper-themedWhirliebird monorail, golf course, trampolines and several food and drink kiosks. Henry VIII and were earning lots of money so they decided to close By Richard Wilson 26 April 2004 1 Shares. Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In 2017, amateur filmmaker Phil Van Gerwen decided to take a trip down memory lane, and venture to the site where rides have been dumped following the parks demise. With whispers of a future Wonderland in Sydney, it begs the question whether some of these rides may one day find themselves coming back to Australia or counterparts built to pay homage to the original attractions that made Wonderland a historic piece of nostalgia. 1:07pm Feb 2, 2017. After the Demon was down and out of the park the original Canadian company, who were contracted to pull it down, decided not to pay guy his exorbitant fee using the distance between the two countries as a safe haven. Join the conversation with your fellow The New Daily readers and see their replies. The park included a steel roller-coaster, waterslides and log flume. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe was so impressed with the honesty of a liquor he tasted while working in Dublin he bought shares in the company. Western Sydney resident Chris Watts spent 19 . 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Dimly lit, hard-to-watch Disney trailer is further proof Hollywood has embraced the dark side, From Aussie politics to catering funerals: Here are 10 new books to check out in March, Introducing the worlds smartest suitcases. Problems around Wonderland Eurasia arose quickly: just two days after its opening, a train got stuck. New logo look for Wonderland Sydney - 2002, A visit to Wonderland 12/10/2004 after closure, 2003 Retail Plaza Marvel Make-over Completed. Plans for the park include a water park, a wildlife park and the return of the Wonderland. "It was devastating to see Wonderland close down because of how much fun it brought people over the years. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Any unauthorised use of Parkz content is expressly prohibited. Some amusementparks have managed topersist for decades, but most have sadly shut their doors. Some of the rides were moved, but others were scrapped. 1996. All rights reserved. Jim Eddy, who runs Jamberoo Recreation Park, does not buy Wonderland's argument and says business could not be better. The new project to resurrect Wonderland Sydney has been earmarked for completion by 2021 with a new location in Western Sydney still to be finalised. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Attractions included a waterslide, chairlift, double-decker carousel, plane ride and giant cargo nets. 1.0 3.0 5.0. This goes against everything the CEO said and what Sunway would like the general public to believe. September 2004Bush Beast and Beastie carriages where moved from the maintenance area, out to the back paddock behind Minchinbury reservoirBush Beasts Yellow PTC Train, minus two cars, under the cover of the stables in the back paddock behind Minchinbury reservoir. The park featured dolphin shows, similar to Sea World at the time, and closed due to financial issues. 'Wizard's Fury' opened 1985. It is now the site of the Forest Hill police station. You can post now and register later. The budget supermarket chain has done it again, sparking a frenzy over its latest Special Buys just in time for the holidays. This week Wonderland's chief executive Stephen Galbraith cited a litany of reasons for the park's demise, including Asian bird flu, SARS and the collapse of HIH. Started Friday at 03:54 AM, By [5][6], The gates shut for the last time on 26 April 2004,[7] the day after the Anzac Day public holiday, and a complete demolition of the park was undertaken in September 2005. During his exploration, Mr Van Gerwen discovered remnants of rides and pieces of signage that made up the Wonderland fun. But finally, in 2004, persistent losses incurred and difficult market conditions saw the theme park shut its doors for the last time. The developers sought to provide an alternative to the troubled Luna Park Sydney, which had opened and closed multiple times in its recent history. Domestic tourism accounted for 96 per cent of the park's business, and 68 per cent of visitors were from Sydney. Urban Estate Developments Pty Ltd owner Ammar Khan said a Badgerys Creek site would be the best location for Worlds of Wonderland. "Everyone is not doing as well as they were because the fall in international tourists has dented theme park revenues," forensic valuer Brian Cox says. Im really surprised with how much stuff is still there, he said. Mr Eddy said he believed development pressures, rather than hard times, had prompted Wonderland's closure. Sydney's Wonderland theme park at Eastern Creek is to close. It takes another player out of the market." Most of the rides were sold to other amusement parks, while 'The Bush Beast', 'The Beastie' and 'The Snowy River Rampage' were demolished. Leisureland Fair was in Langwarrin, in Melbournes south-east, and operated from 1984 to 1992. The space probe, demon and the snowy river rampage where reported to be seen operating from outside the park. This all comes from marketing pretty much. Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Adventure Parc, Tamborine Mountain; Amazons Aquatic Adventureland, Jindalee - closed down in 2001, the site has since become Centenary Quays, a gated community Started Thursday at 09:35 PM. International guests aren't attracted to Australian theme parks by big thrill rides, they are attracted by uniqueness, diversity and in particular wildlife. The land value has put the viability of the site for development way ahead of it being used as a theme park." Marvel characters - Never produced Wonderpass and staff ID cards. He cited events including September 11, the Ansett and HIH collapses, bushfires and SARS. The high velocity ride which sling-shotted passengers at more than 70km/h forwards and then backwards operated in Wonderland's Transylvania Land until its closure in 2004. A new 'veloway' is welcome news for Melbourne's cyclists. IS THIS LAST DRINKS FOR THE 1:30AM LOCKOUT? "It was basically a 'wear-out' process," he says. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/wonderland-to-close/136728, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, These engineers break their silenceafterdecade of criticism over2011 Queensland flood handling, Tens of thousands of pigs and buffalo pegged for mass culls in Kakadu, in bid to curb feral animals, With Russian forces closing, Svyat rolled the dice in the last days before Bakhmut fell, Anna called police to report an assault, but it backfired and she lost her home, Home ownership remains in fantasy territory for many. Many of the attractions were demolished after the parks closure. Wonderland Sydney , was an amusement park in Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia. Your Rating. SUNWAY CLOSURE OF WONDERLAND SYDNEY; The Final Day; The Last Day; A visit to Wonderland 12/10/2004 after closure; Demolition Time Line; Wonderland Galleries; Wonderland History; Wonderland Wedding; March 31 2005A cyclone fence went up around the Bush Beast while the Heritage Order for the Bush Beast was being reviewed by Blacktown Council. People are not travelling overseas and Macquarie Leisure has been able to tap into this to bolster its domestic visits. The site itself has since been turned into Interchange Park, an industrial estate, where remnants of the park remain in the surrounding bushland. He said Merimbula's Magic Mountain attraction was also considering subdividing parts of its land for residential development. After a tourism boom, the park changed owners, and a Magic Castle was built in 1976 which saw attendance dramatically increase. Publication: Illawarra Mercury They may have made a verbal agreement to get things moving but verbal agreements can have a nasty habit of changing or disappearing. Author: By DAVID CRAWSHAW Its Rewind Week at BuzzFeed Oz! July 3 2004The Demon was completing several cycles.Snowy river rampage geysers where operating.Aug 7 2004The space probe and the demon were operating and the guysers on the snowy river rampage where going off. Pictured is the Big Dipper roller-coaster that was closed after only a year of operation in 1995 after noise complaints by . Serendipity Fun Park in Devonport opened in 1988, but closed only 16 months later, after facing financialproblems. "At lower elevations, where it did not snow August 2005Site access is granted after 5 months of delays. Sydney's Luna Park has closed and re-opened numerous times. It really was gone, he said. Music by Jonny Higgins - http://www.jonnyhiggins.com/contact/For a lot of Australian's Wonderland Sydney is ingrained in their childhood, but internationally. A large inverting, 'Fred Flintstone's Splashdown' opened 1994. By It is now the site of the Forest Hill police station. Water park Magic Mountain in Glenelg opened opened in 1982 and closed its doors in 2004. Register, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. June 17th 2004Wonderland became a danger-land training environment for soldiers of 5 Bdes Reserve Response Force (RRF) during the conduct of Exercise Ferris Wheel.The space probe, demon and the snowy river rampage where reported to be seen operating from outside the park. Overseas attendees provide a better yield once they pass through the gates, with Japanese visitors the best spenders. down the monasteries! Author: Kathy Mac Dermott Copyright 2023 The New Daily. Australia's oldest running coal-fired power station is about to close. Wonderland was an Aussie theme park that created fond memories for many kids of the '80s and '90s. It remained open for almost nineteen years and was. Property News:Sunny playground where the growth is only just beginning - domain.com.au, Your web browser is no longer supported. Bounty's Revenge was dismantled and sent to Sunway Lagoon. It had several attractions including the popular Gee-Wizz ride, flying boats, merry-go-rounds, shooting and archery galleries. Photo Wonderland Eurasia. [5] Sydney Morning Herald stated that Sunway Group "blames Wonderland's demise on everything except poor management". Sydney's Wonderland theme park at Eastern Creek is to close. Wonderland's 400 employees would get their full entitlements and help to find new jobs.Stephen Galbraith. The Demon is completly down but still on site. [17][18], Property developer, and former employee of Wonderland Sydney, Ammar Khan, announced plans to develop a new amusement, entertainment and retail attraction to be named Sydneys Wonderland in Western Sydney and has been seeking financial backing for the relaunch since 2009. 'The Beastie', a smaller version of The Bush Beast which catered to younger riders, was also one of the original rides. This also impacted on Visionland who purchased the ride and they were also chased for payment even though it was outside their contract with the Canadian "experts". For many years, Wonderland's flagship ride was 'The Bush Beast' which was the largest wooden roller coaster in Australia. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. "There is always something fascinating about abandoned places," Watts said. 15/06/91 - Holiday fun with famous Wrestlers; 1992. Clear editor. on top of a roller coaster, and passengers had to get off on foot. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Watts' obsession with the derelict site shows the impact Wonderland had on his formative years when it was alive and functioning. Obsessed with travel? That changed over the years to include Botany . Owners say the threat of terrorism, coupled with skyrocketing insurance premiums, SARS and the Asian bird flu have all taken their toll on the number of visitors to the park. Symbio Wildlife Gardens owner John Radnidge said international tourism had fallen in the past few years but domestic tourism was up. Speaking to Nine News at the time, Mr Naylor said visiting the site brought back memories he had as a child. This week, the 27-year-old decided to go back for a second visit to Wonderlands graveyard complete with a drone to see what he may have missed during his first visit two years ago. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. June 16 2004The yellow Bush Beast train was sitting at the top of the lift hill.Dragons Flight, Merry-Go-Round and Baby Bumpers were put in shipping containers and sent to 'Sunway Lagoon' Malaysia.Dragons Flight in the shipping container. The park was modeled heavily around Canada's Wonderland, a theme park located north of Toronto, with both parks being constructed by Taft Broadcasting, a company which also owned Hanna-Barbera. It was put into voluntary liquidation in 1934, with its rides dismantled and sent to Luna Park in Sydney. Get The New Daily free every morning and evening. I honestly think I would have gone to Wonderland every second day in the school holidays. Granted, it's the first time it's been published (what are the sources of the articles, by the way? Park Musical Supervisor for the 19851986 opening season was Derek Williams. Why did wonderland shut down? 19/09/86 - Why Wonderland is riding the J-Curve; 1991. In the mid 1990s he said Wonderland was consistently attracting 1 million visitors a year. What we have available now is on such a different level.. ``But in the longer term it's going to have a negative impact on the industry. log in. Display as a link instead, 27/04/04 - Laughter turns to tears as sun sets on Wonderland, 23/07/04 - Family seeks theme park ticket refund. 3.8 . "I guess it felt like I had a certain amount of closure by being able to climb The Beastie this one final time, it being the first roller-coaster I ever went on as a child.". I saw things I remember clearly as a child, pieces of rides I used to love that were still just sitting there, fading.. It was built in 1980 and closed after a decade of operating. Leisureland Fair It was where everyone went; it was just awesome. On several occasions in the period between the park's closure and its demolition, he jumped its fence and roamed the abandoned acreage. 'Tasmanian Devil' opened 1985. Featured as the world's tallest and fastest free-fall ride at the time, Space Probe quickly became a crowd favourite with guests often queueing up for almost an hour to ride the attraction that lasted only 3.8 seconds as it dropped guests at 120km/h. From foraging for food to prepping for an apocalypse, holidaying in the metaverse and bondage retreats: Youll never believe the holidays Aussies are most excited for in 2023. Wonderland Sydney (originally known as Australia's Wonderland), was an amusement park in Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia. For almost two decades, Wonderland operated more than 20 rides in Sydneys Eastern Creek. February 17, 2004Wonderland's chief executive Stephen Galbraith said the park would close its gates because of a number of challenges faced by the tourism and leisure industry in recent years. August 2004All 14 Bush Beast and 10 beastie carriages where moved out to the maintenance area by one of the wonderland maintenance crew still working at wonderland after is closure.Who would've thought that they would ever see all 4 trains together?! Australia's Wonderland Sydney - TV Commercial 1987 Watch on Children's author and good friend Andrew Levins has spent some time in lockdown researching the history of Wonderland, 35 years after it first opened, and shared some of his stories on Hope Breakfast. However, media lambasted the company for using those as scapegoats for poor management. log in. in 2020 , leaving a strong feeling . Wonderland Sydney, which was in Eastern Creek, opened in December 1985 with the aim of providing an alternative to Luna Park. "I climbed up to the top of the lift hill [an upward sloping section of track] of The Beastie to take some photos and get a better idea of the devastation of the park," Watts said. ``I don't understand (Wonderland) suggesting SARS is to blame. The park would later add rides such as the 'Demon' (1992) and 'Space Probe 7' (1995; sponsored by the Seven Network, who bought naming rights to the ride. It hadfamous waterslides that twisted across each other, and other rides such as dodgem cars, mini golf, a carousel, an alligator-themed roller- coaster and a video game arcade. The park had a satisfactory couple of months, but for all their rides and investment they couldn't make very much of a profit. Drowning, 08/05/85 - The frame goes up for new coaster, 26/04/85 - Whoosh - and up she goes (Bush Beast), 16/07/85 - Wonderland Rises up from Suburbia, 15/08/85 - Hair-raising Beastie is ready to roll, 28/08/86 - It's as exciting as Disneyland, 19/09/86 - Why Wonderland is riding the J-Curve, 15/06/91 - Holiday fun with famous Wrestlers, 11/09/92 - Life's Ups And Downs Can Send You Loopy, 28/03/97 - Australia's Wonderland sold for $50m, 01/07/97 - Kelair keeps the rides running, 24/07/97 - Wonderland hosts feast of country music, 31/01/98 - Scooby's life not all happy snaps, 08/04/99 - Tie ends `Whirl till you Hurl'. Wonderland (TIME) has lost 96.4% of its value since tapping a $10,063 ATH three months ago. Luna Park, Scarborough Beachopened in 1939 and closed after 33 years of operation. It has a Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure attraction specifically based on the Hollywood blockbuster series which uses trackless technology allowing the ship to freely move. The park was renamed Harbourside Amusement Park for a while before resuming its old name. The Broken Hill Mill Games Arcade in Gold Rush was dismantled and taken off site by its new owner. When the Wonderland closed down in 2004, the Space Probe remained on site for more than year and acted as a nostalgic beacon for anybody that drove past. Please try again. The park had three separate themed areas, including Hanna-Barbera Land, which featured rides and attractions based on characters such as Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones. Your link has been automatically embedded. The Great Balloon Race was dismantled and taken off site by its new owner. The area would also see the opening of Eastern Creek Raceway in 1990 as the Sydney metropolitan area expanded to the west. Subscribe for free to get the latest breaking news and analysis sent to your inbox. 'Ned Kelly's Getaway' opened 1985. June 2004A Heritage Order for the Bush Beast was submitted to Blacktown Council. The park was demolished to make way for what is now the Luna Shopping Centre.