The fifth continent attracts tourists with fantastic deserts, rainforests, high waves, unique fauna and hospitable Aborigines. It is interesting and exciting, but the itinerary should include visiting amusement parks if going on holiday with children.
Four major parks are around the resort town of Gold Coast, Queensland’s east coast. Another Australian favourite is Sydney’s, Luna Park. Rides, water slides, zoos, oceanariums and other attractions are spread over vast areas. Planning a trip, you can pick up a tour that includes a visit to entertainment parks, and here you can find out the cost of vouchers to Australia. In addition to attractions, visitors can meet dolphins, tigers and favourite characters from movies and cartoons.
WET-N-WILD
The park opened in 1984 in Oxenford, and since then, it has become one of the top ten water parks in the world, with more than one million visitors a year. The name translates as “wet and wild”. This is justified because you can’t get dry from its dizzying rides. The park offers 15 slides and four pools, which will delight both children and adults.
Attractions to visit at Wet-n-Wild:
- Kamikaze. On the U-shaped slide, visitors get into a two-seater boat and, carried away by an artificial wave, fly down, jumping off the other side.
- 360 Rush. Refers to the extreme. In the tube, the floor opens abruptly, and a person, twisting in a dead loop, falls and flies into the pool.
- Aquapet. Four slides, the descent from which develops a speed of 60 kilometres per hour. The fall ends in a pool with a fountain of spray.
- Tornado and Black Hole will spin visitors in funnels, throwing them at speed into free-floating.
- Sidewinders. A spiral descent allows you to “ride” along the entire complex.
- Pirates Cove. Children’s playground with shallow pools, slides, tubes – everything like adults.
You can relax and relieve stress on the “Calypso Beach”, rocking in a boat on soft waves, or in sun loungers near the pools.
SEA WORLD
This park combines entertainment and marine animal rescue. There is an oceanarium, which deals with the problems of nature protection. It all started in 1958 with ordinary water shows: ballet on water, tricks with water skis and others. However, since 1971, the park has changed its focus. The first change was an artificial lake with dolphins, and then there was a model of the Endeavour ship and marine artefacts. After a large swimming pool was built, the park became known as SeaWorld.
The park has a Sky High Skyway and an observation deck that allows you to view the surrounding area. Sea World rides are educational and divided into animal observation and active rides.
ANIMAL OBSERVATION
The individual ponds and landscape enclosures are home to marine life: in the “Shark Cove” visitors will meet sharks, in the “Dolphin Cave” they will watch the performance of intelligent mammals, and the “Stingray Reef” is filled with these flat ocean dwellers. A separate microcosm has been created for penguins and polar bears, where the audience will see them on land and in the water.
In addition we highly recommend don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the famous penguins at Phillip Island up close! Join us on a Phillip Island Penguin Tour and marvel at the beauty of these cute little creatures as they return from their daily fishing trip.
ACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Catamaran, jet ski and monorail rides, whale watching from a helicopter and a sea cruise. Shipwrecked Cove will enthrall children with sports fun and an almost real sea battle, while Sesame Street will welcome them with cartoon characters.
DREAMWORLD
The town of Coomera is famous for its exquisite amusement park. This fairy tale was created by a team of designers who built the famous Disneyland. In 1981 the park opened and immediately became a favourite place of rest thanks to rides, show programs, tiger animal theatre, wildlife zoo and 3D cinema.
The rides are grouped into themed areas spread along the main avenue:
- In Gold Rush Land, you can shoot in a shooting gallery, watch a themed show programme, and take a photo “behind bars”.
- Rocky Gorge is famous for its 119-metre-high free-fall tower.
Rivertown offers three out of six extreme rides (rafting down a raging river, spinning carousel and roller coaster). - The Ocean Parade is designed for extreme thrill-seekers. Here are the second three terrifying attractions (Claw, Crush and Cyclone); after them, diving is the most peaceful activity.
- The revolving world is designed for the little ones. Quiet carousels, cheerful trampolines, heroes of favourite cartoons from Nickelodeon, and children’s roller coasters are waiting for them.
And at night, the world of dreams turns into the terrifying world of Screamworld, which has frightening rides and zombie characters.
MOVIE WORLD
In addition to Wet-n-Wild, Oxenford has Movie World, an amusement park that allows you to experience the mysteries of the film industry. Like Dreamworld, it was created by the creators of Disneyland in co-operation with Warner Brothers studio. The swampy area was turned into a place of entertainment. In 1991, Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Clint Eastwood and Goldie Hawn were at its opening. Instead of the traditional red ribbon, the organisers cut a film.
The rides are linked to the world of cinema: “Lethal Weapon” and “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, and ,there is something new every year. The park’s highlight is that film and cartoon characters walk around its territory. Here, you can have your photo taken with Bunny Bunny, Shrek, Marilyn Monroe, Catwoman and other characters simultaneously. Visitors are entertained by stuntmen shows, and animators play out scenes from the films “Batman”, “Matrix”, and everyone can participate.
But it’s not only an amusement park, Movie World is a working film studio, where episodes for “Scooby Doo”, “Ghost Ship”, “Peter Pan”, “House of Wax” were filmed. If you’re lucky, you can take part in the filming.
SYDNEY’S LUNA PARK
The oldest amusement park in Australia. It was built in 1935, closed several times for renovation, rebuilt, and reopened to the public in 2004. It is located on Milson’s Point Cape, near the Harbour Bridge. There are rides from Holland, Germany, England and the USA. Modern constructions and rare specimens are included in the list of the National Heritage of the country.
The park’s calling card is its main entrance. This smiling face with two glowing towers on its sides can be seen afar, especially at night when the lights come on. It is a recognisable symbol of Sydney, as is the Opera House.
You won’t be bored here: roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, water amusements, costume shows, show programmes in the concert hall. Among the attractions that stand out:
- Mega Ferris wheel. Its height is 40 metres.
- Tango. A funny steam train that changes speed, “jumping” and tossing passengers.
- Ranger Pendulum. Passengers are seated inside grids with soft cushions, and the ship swings, rising parallel to the ground, while passengers are not fastened, so they are uncomfortable in the cabins. Only people with a strong body can endure such an ordeal.
If you are looking Sydney tour, make sure that Luna Park in Sydney has been a favourite family holiday destination for over 80 years, leaving pleasant memories.
Australia is rich not only in natural attractions but also in endlessly admired attractions. And, while tourist trips are action-packed, you can always find a free day of fun and excitement at one of the stunning amusement parks.
