Location | Coomera, Queensland, Australia |
---|---|
Coordinates | 27°51′50″S 153°18′57″E / 27.864°S 153.3158°ECoordinates: 27°51′50″S 153°18′57″E / 27.864°S 153.3158°E |
Owner | Ardent Leisure |
Opened | 15 December 1981 |
Operating season | Year-round |
Area | 85 ha (210 acres) |
Rides | |
Total | 27 |
Roller coasters | 5 |
Website | www |
Status | Operating |
Dreamworld is a theme park situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is Australia's largest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions, including five roller coasters.
The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, DreamWorks Experience, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger Island and the Dreamworld Corroboree. These lands have a collection of rides, animal exhibits, shows, food outlets and merchandise shops.
Dreamworld, is noted for being the location of the Australian Big Brother house filmed at the Dreamworld Studios, since the program began in Australia in 2001. In December 2006, Dreamworld expanded its offerings by opening WhiteWater World next door. On several occasions during the year, Dreamworld remains open after dark. This event, known as Screamworld, includes all of the thrill rides and a selection of children's rides.
In 1974, John Longhurst, the father of the future Australian water-ski champion and two time Bathurst 1000 winner Tony Longhurst, put his dream of building a theme park into practice and purchased 85 hectares (210 acres) of land beside the Pacific Motorway in Coomera. Longhurst spent two years, working 12-hour days, to excavate what is now known as the Murrissipi River. No expense was spared when Longhurst employed some designers who worked on Disneyland and Walt Disney World to design the park. It was up to a collection of Australian architects to mimic Australian pioneer buildings during construction.
With attractions, Longhurst aimed to satisfy all age groups. Opening day attractions included the IMAX Theatre, a Baldwin Locomotive (now known as the Dreamworld Express), Model T Fords (now known as Vintage Cars), Rocky Hollow Log Ride, Australian Koala Theatre and the Captain Sturt Paddle-wheeler. The theme park was officially opened on 15 December 1981 by the Premier of Queensland of the time, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.