From thrill rides to sheep-shearing, fierce tigers to cuddly koalas, this giant amusement park has something for all the family.
Dreamworld, Australia’s largest amusement park, gathers together some of the country’s biggest attractions in one location. Whether you love to live dangerously on adrenalin-fuelled rides or prefer a quieter time making friends with the local wildlife, this vast theme park will keep you and your family happily entertained all day.The park, which was built over seven years, opened in 1981 and has been upgrading its attractions ever since, including adding rollercoasters which at the time have been the tallest in the world, making it a must for adrenalin junkies. The Big 9 Thrill Rides include the “Tower of Terror”, which hurls its fearless riders 100 metres into the air at 160 kilometres per hour and culminates in a terrifying freefall. Daredevils will make straight for the BuzzSaw rollercoaster which spins you every which way at high speed, or the movie-themed Pandamonium, a crazy rickshaw ride inspired by Kung Fu Panda.If you prefer to take your thrills closer to the ground, check out the teeth on the crocodiles and Bengal tigers that share Tiger Island. For an additional fee you can go behind the scenes to watch the handlers feeding their snappy charges. Alternatively, admire the famous Australian art of sheep-shearing or make friends with cuddly koalas, kangaroos, wombats, bilbies and other indigenous wildlife. The Sunset Safari is one of the highlights of a day at the park, when you can catch a glimpse of nocturnal animals as they begin to come to life. Other popular attractions include the Dreamworld cinema, vintage V8 supercar rides and restored steam trains, as well as movie-themed rides for the kids.Dreamworld is at Coomera on the Gold Coast and is open daily except Christmas Day and ANZAC Day (25 April). At peak holiday times it can get very crowded and the queues for attractions can be long. A VIP Pass also covers admission to WhiteWater World next door.
