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Clear editor. 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. Wonderland, Sydney. Mr Eddy said yesterday his park had just registered its best summer holiday period, and visitor numbers were soaring. Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park opened in 1970 and closed by 1980, it was run by the Ashton family, of Ashtons Circus fame. "Theme park junkies want more than one theme park experience in their holidays," Cox says. 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; The closure of several rides in 2002 was due to the reduction in operational area of the park. Some amusementparks have managed topersist for decades, but most have sadly shut their doors. [26] While Khan does not have a site for the Park he plans that it would occupy a site around 300 acres in and around Eastern Creek or towards Hoxton Park. Started November 23, 2022, By DECEMBER 14, 2004The Demon lift was taken down. Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter! Sydneys Wonderland revamp gets $1 billion funding. Sydney's Wonderland theme park at Eastern Creek is to close. I think he is spot on. 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. Register, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. Jamberoo Recreation Park visitor numbers: OTHER NEWS: IS THIS LAST DRINKS FOR THE 1:30AM LOCKOUT? 27/04/04 - Laughter turns to tears as sun sets on Wonderland, 23/07/04 - Family seeks theme park ticket refund. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Date: 21/02/2004 Wonderland'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. With China's rise and democracy's decline, what will the global order look like in 2050? The park was the largest theme park in the Southern Hemisphere. Leisureland Fair was in Langwarrin, in Melbournes south-east, and operated from 1984 to 1992. A look back at Australias forgotten theme parks. Far fewer know their real story. On several occasions in the period between the park's closure and its demolition, he jumped its fence and roamed the abandoned acreage. Due to a lower-than-expected attendance and repeated financial losses, the park closed in November 2000. At its peak the amusement park featured 24 rides across five themed sections. Strongline Engineering removed the attraction in September 2005 and. Join the conversation, you are commenting as. The park was renamed Harbourside Amusement Park for a while before resuming its old name. This amusement park in Frankston, opened its doors in 1966 and operated for almost 10 years. Warner Village have been a bit slow on the uptake (and some badly timed attractions and aquisitions targeting international guests didn't help), but they're pretty well back. For almost two decades, Wonderland operated more than 20 rides in Sydneys Eastern Creek. [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. ``But in the longer term it's going to have a negative impact on the industry. Luna Park, Scarborough Beachopened in 1939 and closed after 33 years of operation. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. The professional gardener said the site is still filled with rotting material, with some parts of the land holding more debris than he expected. 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. Wonderland Sydney (originally known as Australia's Wonderland), was an amusement park in Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia. Before Werribee Zoo, visitors to Ashtons Bacchus Marsh drove through a safari park where lions would latch their paws onto their cars. The Board of Directors wishes to inform the Exchange that International Theme Park Pty Ltd (a company incorporated in Australia), the operator of Wonderland Sydney in Australia will be closing its theme park operation latest by middle of this year. Perhaps put more eloquently than Daniel, but yeah, there was really nothing there that is terribly new. The four cars would be pulled to the top of a 30-metre tower, then released. close its doors. No claim is made as to the accuracy or currency of the content on this site at any time. Reporting on what you care about. The park featured alarge lake with an island, steam train, go-karts and merry-go-round. Only one ride, Skyrider which was the former cable car at the Sydney Showgrounds, was added between the 1997 takeover and the park's closure. For almost two decades Wonderland operated as New South Wales answer to Disneyland, offering more than 20 rides from its Eastern Creek home until its eventual closure in 2004. See also How Much Self-Employed Income Do You Have To Report Canada? Well-known circus family, the Bullens, also had other lion parks in NSW, Queensland and South Australia. "Many of our Boomerangs have been relocated over the years. Plans for the park include a water park, a wildlife park and the return of the Wonderland. All content copyright 2002-2023 Parkz and its respective copyright holder. The park included the Big Dipper roller-coaster,mini golf, ice cream kiosk and a miniature railway. Visitors were told that the rides were being relocated to the remaining section, so that they would be closer (as the rides were spaced apart). We are all aware of Sea World, Dreamworld and Movieworld. 2001-02: 165,400 A Vekoma spokeswoman told nine.com.au that due to the Boomerangs' "thrill factor and a small footprint" it was snapped up by Alabama Splash Adventure in the US where it operated as the Zoomerang for seven years. Visitors were told that the rides were being relocated to the remaining sections, so that they would be closer (as the rides were spaced apart). The most notable attractions included The Demon, The Beastie, The Bush Beast and the Snowy River Rampage. Since then, we have lifted the overall performance of the park, completely rebuilt its image and brand awareness but this had not been enough. The area would also see the opening of Eastern Creek Raceway in 1990 as the Sydney metropolitan area expanded to the west. What we have available now is on such a different level.. 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. Mr Bakas is closely monitoring a new $5.5 billion theme park in China called Shanghai Disney Resort which opened last month. The ride was sold in 2005 to Fly Coaster, a small. Some of the rides were moved, but others were scrapped. The most depressing thing was realising we were standing on the exact same spot where the actual Beastie used to be, he said, referring to the parks smaller wooden rollercoaster. [8] Two of the park's camels were adopted by a family in Goulburn. International guests aren't attracted to Australian theme parks by big thrill rides, they are attracted by uniqueness, diversity and in particular wildlife. It was sad to look out and see there really was nothing left of it. Some of the rides were moved, whereas others were scrapped. Ashley Jeffery The main attraction was its four water slides, particularly during the hot Adelaide summers. Unlike the rest of the park, which remained open year-round, The Beach was a seasonal attraction which closed during the winter months (JuneSeptember). Domestic tourism accounted for 96 per cent of the park's business, and 68 per cent of visitors were from Sydney. Pasted as rich text. The only ride installed after the Sunway Group acquisition of the park, the Skyway was the old cable car from the old Sydney Showgrounds stretching from Goldrush to Hanna-Barbera Land. [9], The entry way signage at the time of closure, featuring Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, was sold to a junkyard in Londonderry in Sydney's north west where it remains today.[10]. In 2004, the theme park closed its doors. Produced by Kings Entertainment Company. The creator of the park was reportedly a former dentist who had used the by-products from his old practice to make little dinosaurs and creatures out of molars and canines. It was built in 1980 and closed after a decade of operating. Technology has changed so drastically between decades, he said. Australias Wonderland opened in December 1985 on a 219-hectare parcel of land in western Sydney. During Mr Van Gerwens recent voyage to the wasteland, he documented the condition of six paddle boats from Magilla Gorillas Floatillas, plastic water slide tubing, piles of wooden planks possibly from the Wizards Fury train ride, parts of the Fred Flintstones Splashdown sign and the carcass of an old water raft. 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. Overseas attendees provide a better yield once they pass through the gates, with Japanese visitors the best spenders. Sega World, which was on Sydneys Darling Harbour, was a nod to the Sega gaming franchise, primarily Sonic the Hedgehog. 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. 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. 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. When the aforementioned "excuses" hit, this portion of the attendance did take a huge hit. The park opened December 7 1985 with just three themed areas - Hanna Babera Land, Medieval Fair and Goldrush. Amidst record attendance set as a result of the announcement of the closure, Wonderland says goodbye. Magic Mountain at Gold Coasts Nobbys Beach was built in 1962 and closed in 1991. It is kind of like having a foot but you dont know the exact shoe size., SYDNEY WALK-THRU JUNKYARD THAT HAS EVERYTHING. Owners say the threat of terrorism, coupled with skyrocketing insurance premiums, SARS and the Asian bird flu have all taken their toll . Sydney's Luna Park has closed and re-opened numerous times. 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. Sydney is on track to reopen a wonderful memory in our West. The site itself has since been turned into Interchange Park, an industrial estate, where remnants of the park remain in the surrounding bushland. 'Skyhawk' opened 1991. Wonderland relied on I believe about 25% of its attendance from international guests. While Intamin's Giant Drop failed to live on after Wonderland, its Bounty ride which operating in Wonderland as the Bounty's Revenge was also shipped to Sunway Lagoon. Wonderland Sydney, which was in Eastern Creek, opened in December 1985 with the aim of providing an alternative to Luna Park. The ride closed in 2002. November 30, 2004They started removing The Demon Station. Please try again. Wonderland Project Surrounded by Controversy In addition to the major losses, Wonderland creators have been under scrutiny in recent times. 14. Theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Mother's Consumer Guide to Australia's Wonderland, New South Wales State Superannuation Board, 'A visit to Wonderland 12/10/2004 after closure', "The lights go out at Wonderland, where millions got their thrills", "Australia's loneliest camel gets a new home", "Wonderland History: Demolition Timeline", "Theme Parks, Australian Theme Parks | Parkz Theme Parks", 'Australia's Wonderland Sydney Space Probe', 'Australia's Wonderland Sydney Blinky Bill Show', "Sydney's Wonderland to be a superpark on par with Gold Coast's theme park strip", "Sydney's Wonderland theme park set to make its home in the west", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderland_Sydney&oldid=1137703503, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Greatest Fun You'll Ever Have" (19851986), "Too Much Fun To Have In One Day" (19871988), "Wouldn't it be wonderful if the world was Wonderland (19881995), "No Wonder They Call It Wonderland" (19951998), 'The Beastie' opened 19852002. Mr Eddy said he believed development pressures, rather than hard times, had prompted Wonderland's closure. A large inverting, 'Fred Flintstone's Splashdown' opened 1994. For many years, Wonderland's flagship ride was 'The Bush Beast' which was the largest wooden roller coaster in Australia. Lots of money, Jewellery and Mobile phones.Most of the rides still on site where removed. But will it be safer for women? A small lake equipped with paddle boats. However, Taft only had a minority stake in Australia's Wonderland and sold their stake to other Australian investors. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Granted, it's the first time it's been published (what are the sources of the articles, by the way? 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'. Watts, 42, and friends have built an online community to celebrate Wonderland, with the Wonderland History website and a Facebook group. Your Rating. Henry VIII and were earning lots of money so they decided to close Wonderland Sydney, then known as Australia's Wonderland opened amid much media attention and publicity on 7 December 1985 with financial backing from the New South Wales State Superannuation Board, James Hardie, Leighton Holdings and Taft Broadcasting (through Kings Entertainment Company)[3] at Eastern Creek on the junction of Wallgrove Road and the M4 Motorway. CEO Stephen Galbraith stated the September 11 attacks, the 2002 Bali bombings, the collapse of HIH Insurance, the SARS virus, the bird flu virus, consistent losses on the Asian financial crisis, the collapse of Ansett Australia, the Iraq War and the 2003 bushfires all contributed to the park's closure. In 2016, Sydney electrician Dave Naylor made a similar visit to the site with friends, describing the area as a boneyard of fond childhood memories. By 12 February 2004ING Industrial Fund teamed up with The PacLib Group to buy wonderland.Hartford Lane Pty Ltd entered into a Put and Call Option Deed with Paclib Industrial Pty Ltd to dispose off Wonderland Sydney, the land measuring 58.87 hectares (Lot 11, Plan 1025320) and buildings, structures and theme park rides thereon for a total of $52.5 million AUD, excluding Goods and Services Tax, paying $10 million at exchange and the balance payable on settlement in January 2005.Hartford Lane Pty Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastern Glory Enterprises Ltd.Hartford being the Trustee of Sunway Australia Unit Trust , the registered owner of the Property. Bounty's Revenge was dismantled and sent to Sunway Lagoon. The first one has some insight from Neil Balnaves from Dreamworld (Macquarie Leisure). Given the current name after being relocated to Transylvania, following the closure of Little Wonders Land/Hanna-Barbera Land. The Bush Beast Roller Coaster . The park opened in 1997 and operated for four years. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. Many of the attractions were demolished after the parks closure. Wonderland is closed forever! Wobbies World in Melbourne's east opened in 1970 and closed in 1999. The park included a steel roller-coaster, waterslides and log flume. Are bills set to rise? I saw things I remember clearly as a child, pieces of rides I used to love that were still just sitting there, fading.. The 19-year-old thrill venue is being bulldozed for a traditional industrial estate, leaving Sydney without a major theme park attraction and Wonderland's Malaysian vendor with a hefty profit from the land sale. Of all the rides on the 540 acre site, he has always been most fond of Wonderland's two wooden roller coasters, The Beastie and The Bush Beast. "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. There was a miniature golf course called Top Cat's Putt Putt Park; prior to the installation of Fred Flintstone's Splashdown there was a putting course known as Old McScrappy's Golfing Farm. 'Scooby's Silly Stix' opened in 1985. Several rides were closed in 2002 due to the reduction in operational area of the park. [1] It opened on Saturday, 1 December 1906 and closed in 1911. The developers sought to provide an alternative to the troubled Luna Park Sydney, which had opened and closed multiple times in its recent history. Leisureland Fair Vekoma said it was not uncommon for its rides to remain in service for decades at a time. Attractions included a waterslide, chairlift, double-decker carousel, plane ride and giant cargo nets. A Magic Mountain spokesman said all options were being explored, but for now the centre was still trading as a theme park. A spokeswoman from Wonderland declined to comment on the allegations that the park had been neglected. He said some of the rides will stem from the now defunct Wonderland Sydney, such as the Bush Beast, but will harness cutting edge technology as well as setting new boundaries.