14. He was there to witness his childhood favourites being torn to the ground. DECEMBER 15, 2004The Snower River Rampage Station, Conveyor and Plant room where destroyed. 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. Wobbies World in Melbournes east opened in 1970 and closed in 1999. 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. Display as a link instead, "Overall the theme park industry is in great shape," he says. The budget supermarket chain has done it again, sparking a frenzy over its latest Special Buys just in time for the holidays. Adventure Parc, Tamborine Mountain; Amazons Aquatic Adventureland, Jindalee - closed down in 2001, the site has since become Centenary Quays, a gated community Strongline Engineering removed the attraction in September 2005 and. The park opened December 7 1985 with just three themed areas - Hanna Babera Land, Medieval Fair and Goldrush. Balnaves dismisses claims that international events including September 11 and SARS drove Wonderland to the wall as "excuses". 2003-04: 91,000 Australia's forgotten theme parks hold unforgettable memories for visitors. Some wouldn't survive. The park appears to have been abandoned since 2015. "It was basically a 'wear-out' process," he says. Yes it does seem like an eternity, but remember you heard it hear, at Weekend . 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. It remained open for over 18 years and was the premier theme park in New South Wales for much of its life until its closure in 2004. Park Musical Supervisor for the 19851986 opening season was Derek Williams. Later that year it was shipped to Sydney and installed in 1992 where it was re-christened The Demon. The park included a steel roller-coaster, waterslides and log flume. He cited events including September 11, the Ansett and HIH collapses, bushfires and SARS. close its doors. Im really surprised with how much stuff is still there, he said. When we took over eight years ago, the park's future was uncertain, Since then, we have lifted the overall performance of the park, completely rebuilt its image and brand awareness but this had not been enough. Luna Park, Glenelg, operated from 1930 until 1935. The area would also see the opening of Eastern Creek Raceway in 1990 as the Sydney metropolitan area expanded to the west. By Richard Wilson 26 April 2004 1 Shares. 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. The area would also see the opening of Eastern Creek Raceway in 1990 as the Sydney metropolitan area expanded to the west. The main attraction was its four water slides, particularly during the hot Adelaide summers. Wonderland's lack of branding also meant the park could not harness valuable merchandising sales. on top of a roller coaster, and passengers had to get off on foot. . New logo look for Wonderland Sydney - 2002, A visit to Wonderland 12/10/2004 after closure, 2003 Retail Plaza Marvel Make-over Completed. No claim is made as to the accuracy or currency of the content on this site at any time. Sydney's Wonderland theme park at Eastern Creek is to close. While few can forget the thrill of their first roller-coaster ride or twirlingon a merry-go-round, the theme parks wherethese memories were forged are being increasingly forgotten. 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. 1996. Florida-based manager David Bakas has researched some of the top theme parks across the world while developing the master plan that includes all the attractions, resort hotels, shopping precinct and water park. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Register, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. 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. 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. 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." Dazzeland was a two-storey, indoor amusement park occupying the top floor of the Myer Centre in Rundle Mall, Adelaide. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! Obsessed with travel? It really was gone, he said. It remained open for almost nineteen years and was. The four cars would be pulled to the top of a 30-metre tower, then released. Wonderland's 400 employees would get their full entitlements and help to find new jobs.Stephen Galbraith. Crowd pleasers "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. GoGoBoy, 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. The board of directors for CARE Inc., a nonprofit that oversees The Academy at Morgan's Wonderland and The Bridge at Morgan's Wonderland, has decided to close the schools, according to a news release. It was put into voluntary liquidation in 1934, with its rides dismantled and sent to Luna Park in Sydney. Urban Estate Developments Pty Ltd owner Ammar Khan said a Badgerys Creek site would be the best location for Worlds of Wonderland. Okay, so the official reason given by the park was that it was a combination of a downturn in air-travel post 9/11, SARS, Bird-Flu, HIH Insurance collapse, (stuff outside it's control). Several rides were closed in 2002 due to the reduction in operational area of the park. 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; Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. The Bush Beast's wooden tracks were torn apart and carriages left to rust, and the. Followed categories will be added to My News. This is how we got here and what needs to change, 'Please confirm what Muslim refers to': Why Ali's birthday payment for his nephew was flagged by his bank, Kade was a fit 31-year-old when he died from a heart attack, Sherpa are world famous for their work, which is synonymous with their name. A new 'veloway' is welcome news for Melbourne's cyclists. The Demon, or Boomerang as it classified by manufacturers Vekoma, originally operated at the shorty lived World Expo in Brisbane in 1988 under the name Titan. Wonderland Sydney (originally known as Australia's Wonderland), was an amusement park in Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia. International Theme Park Pty. You cannot paste images directly. 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 had had lions, tigers, bears, elephants and giraffes. He said Merimbula's Magic Mountain attraction was also considering subdividing parts of its land for residential development. Saturday August 27 6am, 2005The Bushbeast was demolished.One of the steal cables from the Sky Rider was taken down and wrapped around the bushbeast and then connected to two D9 bulldozers which tried to pull the bush beast over, the bulldozers moved towards the Snowy River Rampage pushing everything in there path into the Snowy River Rampage with the cable around the Bush Beast and a dozer on each end of the cable they tried to pull the Bush Beast over, The Bush Beast did not go down without a fight, the SkyRider cable snapped several times and in the end they just drove the dozers through the supports with the structure coming down behind them.. Monday August 29, 2005 They started seperating Bush Beasts sleel track from the wood and demolished the station. 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. At the time it was the largest open air amusement park in the southern hemisphere. A 'Parachute Tower' built by Vekoma, the Skyhawk consisted of four cars; two for sitting passengers, two for standing. themagician Plans for the park include a water park, a wildlife park and the return of the Wonderland. Id only been to Wonderland once before as a kid and I can barely remember it, he told news.com.au. In 2004, the theme park closed its doors. The heartbroken family of Matthew Eakin, who died on the K2 in Pakistan, has made a desperate plea for help to retrieve his body. dodgem cars, a roller-coaster, an arcade, mini-golf, bumper boats and gravity-defying ride called The Scat. [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. Technology has changed so drastically between decades, he said. A steep sled slide, finishing in water. Leisureland Fair "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.". We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. An electric track used to propel scaled-down, 'Bounty's Revenge' opened 1985. Kennedy had visited the park once, as a Senator, four years earlier in October 1959. . Upload or insert images from URL. A large wheel-shaped machine which laid on one of its faces, with several rocking rider cars attached around the circumference. Mr Eddy said he believed development pressures, rather than hard times, had prompted Wonderland's closure. Author: By DAVID CRAWSHAW For many years, Wonderland's flagship ride was 'The Bush Beast' which was the largest wooden roller coaster in Australia. On several occasions in the period between the park's closure and its demolition, he jumped its fence and roamed the abandoned acreage. Beasties two blue PTC Trains under the cover of the stables in the back paddock behind Minchinbury reservoir. The New Daily takes a look back at Australias most loved and forgotten theme parks. It is critical to snare visitors for two meals because significant margins are sourced from food and beverage sales, he explains. The Bush Beast Roller Coaster . He found these particularly fascinating, and has even applied some of the technological principles to his own tech business. Tricoart But a small handful didn't suffer the same unceremonious fate and were packed up and shipped off to other amusement parks all around the world. 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. "There was a kind of strange air of serenity after years and years of screams and shouts and the noise of all the rides and the music, the place was tranquil and relatively peaceful in the fading afternoon light. The site itself has since been turned into Interchange Park, an industrial estate, where remnants of the park remain in the surrounding bushland. Australia's Wonderland's predecessor, Magic Kingdom Amusement Park opened in the 1970s and promised a massive day out for just $6. To improve your experience. 01/01/92 - Bursting At The Themes; . 2002-03: 81,500 log in. Go here for more 90s and 00s nostalgia. Wonderland Sydney's relegation this week to the theme park scrap heap highlights just how tough the business of selling fun has become. Another attraction named 'The Outback Woolshed' was added in 1995, along with an -la-carte-style restaurant. When it shut its doors to the public in April 2004, he wasn't quite ready to let go of his childhood. A Magic Mountain spokesman said all options were being explored, but for now the centre was still trading as a theme park. The park was set to be an alternate option to Luna Park, and included rides that featured Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones. [5] Sydney Morning Herald stated that Sunway Group "blames Wonderland's demise on everything except poor management". What we have available now is on such a different level.. Half the size and height of, 'Antique Autos' opened 1985. ), but I don't think it's something that can be seen as. 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. Closed in 1998. By In the mid 1990s he said Wonderland was consistently attracting 1 million visitors a year. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Ltd. the operator of Wonderland Sydney would close its theme park operation by middle of 2004 as part of the Group's overall rationalization exercise to exit from non-performing business units. 'Ned Kelly's Getaway' opened 1985. The master plan for the Western Sydney area is an entertainment precinct with attractions, resort . Symbio Wildlife Gardens owner John Radnidge said international tourism had fallen in the past few years but domestic tourism was up. DECEMBER 20, 2004The Demon was taken off site.DECEMBER 22, 2004Demolition and all other work on site is put on hold!The Canadian company came over to pull the Demon down did not have the relevant demolition licence so they subcontracted it out to some guy at the last minute. SCAT paramedics and a doctor from Careflight arrived on scene to assist in treating the patient.He was released two and a half hours later and taken to Westmead hospital with a back injury in a stable condition. It was sad to look out and see there really was nothing left of it. But other operators and analysts place the blame closer to home. 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. Some of the rides were moved, but others were scrapped. 'HMS Endeavour' opened 1985. The Sydney park was immediately closed after the fire and most of the park was demolished. Bush Beasts Red PTC Train and two Yellow PTC carrages in the back paddock behind Minchinbury reservoir. Far fewer know their real story. Wonderland Sydney was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 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. Sydney electrician Dave Naylor made a similar visit, Aussie travel predictions will surprise you, Familys plea months after climbers death. We couldnt get the smiles off our faces, he said of the visit. August 22, 2005Demolition is allowed to continue only in Gold Rush, this is because Probe and Zodaic have not been removed. Serendipity Fun Park in Devonport opened in 1988, but closed only 16 months later, after facing financialproblems. 27/04/04 - Laughter turns to tears as sun sets on Wonderland, 23/07/04 - Family seeks theme park ticket refund. Selling fun just not the Wonderland it used to be There was an error submitting the form. Subscribe for free to get the latest breaking news and analysis sent to your inbox. 'Wizard's Fury' opened 1985. 15/06/91 - Holiday fun with famous Wrestlers; 1992. Also interesting to read about Jamberoo and Magic Mountain - a great example of the difference between capital and no capital expenditure. During his exploration, Mr Van Gerwen discovered remnants of rides and pieces of signage that made up the Wonderland fun. A small lake equipped with paddle boats. The space probe and the demon were operating and the guysers on the snowy river rampage where going off. Once the largest amusement park in the southern hemisphere "where there was magic on every corner", the Wonderland management company, Sunway Group, blamed a multitude of factors for its closure including the September 11 attacks and the collapse of Ansett. Wonderland Sydney / Via Twitter: @Wonderland_Syd Your parents wouldn't leave the park without one. Summer holiday (Dec - Jan) figures: But will it be safer for women? Perhaps put more eloquently than Daniel, but yeah, there was really nothing there that is terribly new. 3.8 . [27] Publication: Financial Review The Great Balloon Race was dismantled and taken off site by its new owner. 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). Paclib Industrial Pty Ltd a special purpose vehicle with a paid-up share capital of A$2.00. Unlike the Demon, Space Probe's future wasn't as fruitful. 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. 1.0 3.0 5.0. The Bush Beast was identical in layout to the Wild Beast at Canada's Wonderland and Grizzly at Kings Dominion. Convincing the operator on the Tasmanian Devil to go backwards. The content of this website is provided for information purposes only. Wonderland Sydney officially closed. 2001-02: 79,600. Photo Wonderland Eurasia. "It was a strange feeling to see a place I had loved so much reduced to such a decrepit level of decay and destruction.". But I am glad that some of the rides have managed to survive," Ammar Khan, who operated rides at the park for nine years told nine.com.au. The Broken Hill Mill Games Arcade in Gold Rush was dismantled and taken off site by its new owner. Australia's Wonderland also claimed that it was the largest wooden rollercoaster in the Southern Hemisphere. The park opened in 1970 and closed by 1980, it was run by the Ashton family, of Ashtons Circus fame. Join the conversation with your fellow The New Daily readers and see their replies. It is now the site of the Forest Hill police station. Magic Mountain at Gold Coasts Nobbys Beach was built in 1962 and closed in 1991. 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. You can post now and register later. A look back at Australias forgotten theme parks. The park, aimed primarily at younger children, featured a static Bell helicopter plus a chopper-themed Whirliebird monorail, golf course, trampolines and several food and drink kiosks. 09/03/04 - What do you think of Australia's Wonderland closing down? Magic Kingdom Amusement Park. The first one has some insight from Neil Balnaves from Dreamworld (Macquarie Leisure). However, it is still believed to be sitting in pieces in a paddock at the Malaysian theme park. A spokeswoman from Wonderland declined to comment on the allegations that the park had been neglected. Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter! "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. Firstly I'd like to say that this is my first post here at themeparkinsider, and that I too am an employee at Wonderland Sydney. 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'. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.