Remember when Wonderland was Sydney's answer to the big theme parks overseas.

It was a must do for locals and tourists between 1985 and 2004 when it was decided to turn the site into an industrial park, as the park ran at a loss for much of the time.

The NSW government under Neville Wran backed the project and decided to build the park on the M4 at Eastern Creek as it was in a major growth corridor and to make it accessible to all Sydneysiders

A good website documenting its history and it's redevelopment -
http://wonderlandhistory.net/

And construction photos of the new industrial park. It's interesting how they were still removing rides into late last year!!!!
http://wonderlandhistory.net/september07.php
Sept 07-

That website brought back so many memories! I made it a point to go to Wonderland the week before it closed. That was awesome.

Some people may not have liked it, but I still miss it a little bit (I used to go there heaps when I was a kid). It's sad looking at the pics of everything being torn down :cry:

I only went there once, as a 7 year old back in 1992. It would of been good if it were still around.

Former premier Bob Carr was examining a major theme park for Sydney following it's closure (to be built in the greater west) but that disappeared as fast as it came up.

Sydney needs a theme park to offer an alternative to those on the Gold Coast

It does, but it needs to not be out in the sticks. Unfortunately the only real place I can think of is near Olympic Park, which would never happen, or some other dis-used industrial site. Luna Park has had the life sucked out of it by Milson's Point wankers. I think they should turn Garden Island or some other Harbourside location into a theme park, and have shuttle ferry rides from Luna Park > Darling Harbour > New Location and make it like Itchy and Scratchy Island. Make the journey part of the gymmick... oh well...

^ i like your thinking! what else is there to attrack people out to those islands (cockatoo and goat) now that they are opening up to the public - old buildings, history and parks and harbour views? you get that on the mainland.

it's a pity about wonderland, it was in a location before its time. now to 20 years in the future would have been prime for it's creation with the m7/m4 interchange and all the growth out there.

At least you could have some fun at Wonderland, all Melbourne had was Wobbies World (a cringe worthy name indeed) with the worlds most pissy rides. Even the advert for their newest attraction was lame, the people on board looked less than impressed.

At least you could have some fun at Wonderland, all Melbourne had was Wobbies World (a cringe worthy name indeed) with the worlds most lame rides. Even the advert for their newest attraction was tragic, the people on board looked less than impressed.

I remember when it first opened and the carpark used to be full and cars were lined up the entry drive and parking alongside Wallgrove Road.

You'd have to line up for half an hour or more for the big rides like the Snowy River Rampage.

In its last few years you could park within a few cars of the entry and you could almost get off a ride walk back around and get back on.

Its sad actually for those who grew up with the place!

Wobbies World sounds like the inspiration of the Late Show's Piss Weak World.

I went to Wonderland in 1988, I thought it was great, pity it didn't work out. We are lucky up here in SEQ having so many theme parks nearby.

Luna Park has a terrific location, been there a few times, first went in 1978 so I remember going on the old roller coaster and ghost train. Pity about the problems that have stopped it being the awesome place that it could be.

Blame Luna Park's problems on the NIMBY's :bash:

[QUOTE=Aussie Bhoy;15458562]Wobbies World sounds like the inspiration of the Late Show's Piss Weak World.

^^ Oh indeed it was. That was hilarious.

I went to the very first day of Wonderland - everything was free, including food and drink. It was what kid heaven looks like. I still think the Bush Beast is the best rollercoaster I've ever been on. It felt seriously unsafe, which is how it should be.

I went to the very first day of Wonderland - everything was free, including food and drink. It was what kid heaven looks like. I still think the Bush Beast is the best rollercoaster I've ever been on. It felt seriously unsafe, which is how it should be.

Yeah, that thing was rough as guts.

First time I rode it I ended up with a nosebleed (my nose conked the safety bar. :lol:

I had no doubt it was safe, though.

^ it was when you hit the bottom of the first dip then ripped up again, it really roughed you up!

Aaaah, memories. Probably was my favourite coaster. Not because of it being all fancy, but because it wasn't.

It actually felt like a ride. Not an "engineered experience" as most rides are these days.

Obviously engineering was involved... but it didn't feel engineered, which was probably why it was such a good ride.

It's a shame it didn't survive. A large part of the problem in the later years was that there was nothing truly new. The crappy new theming which came I believe with the change in management (which decided to go generic) also I think ruined it a little.

It was also ridiculously expensive (though Olympic Park has since redefined the term!).

I went to the very first day of Wonderland - everything was free, including food and drink. It was what kid heaven looks like. I still think the Bush Beast is the best rollercoaster I've ever been on. It felt seriously unsafe, which is how it should be.

I thought I would die on that ride. Which is why loved it.

Bush beast was awesome. The only ride I've ever felt actually scared for my safety on! I managed to go on a quiet day with my mates and went on it 7 times in a row.. good times. I'm still sold on my Harbour Park idea. Get Taronga Zoo in on the act and have a multi pass or something... who do I sell this idea to!?

There were so many good things about Wonderland. I still remember when Hanna Barbera Land was still open, with the Rainbow Arch as the entry point. That whole area got shut down and turned into a virtual ghost town when Movie World took the HB contract from Wonderland :(

The Beach area was fantastic as well, with all the pools and the slides. Even as a 23-year-old going there the weekend before it closed, I still felt like a little kid. Man I will miss that place.

And yes, the Bush Beast was one hell of a ride to go on, especially as a young little tyke!

i think the bush beast was the largest wooden rollercoaster in the world. it was so ricketty and felt like it was going to smash to pieces at anytime! that was all part of the experience.

Memories. :(

My sister and I went there so much as kids we both had "Wonderpasses". :lol:

The Beach was the major water park that Sydney had. Apart from that, there was the Waterworks at Mt Druitt and Manly. Manly is still open.

Homebush and Jamberoo (south of Wollongong) would come nowhere near this, though it will be many years before Jamerboo is there!!!

At least you could have some fun at Wonderland, all Melbourne had was Wobbies World (a cringe worthy name indeed) with the worlds most lame rides. Even the advert for their newest attraction was tragic, the people on board looked less than impressed.

How could anyone forget Wobbies's World? Don't know how we learnt about it, but I took my daughter out there: not having a car, it took at least two trains and one bus in each in direction, but boy, was it worth it!

For a start there was a real plane you could get into: not being a real expert on planes, I'd guess it was a DC10 rather than an Airbus, and you could sit in there and watch a film (or video?) of a cockpit view of Melbourne from a plane taking off and landing.

And then there was the, well, miniature railway. It had little gangers trolleys on it (well maybe only one) that you could work yourself to drive yourself around the railway. Unfortunately there was a problem with the track that day, so we had to abandon our journey.

Still, the bus and the trains home were good!

Wobbies world has improved quite a lot these days.

I remember My Mum and Dad took me there in 2000 when we went to Sydney I really Liked it , but two years ago I found out it closed down !

what are they going to be building on the land now ?

Oops, i might add its improved cos its closed & they have erased all sign of WW. Now that only leaves the dreadful Gumbuya Park out near Tynong......:nuts:

I remember at wonderland, my mum went on one of the kids rides which was about as lame as you can get, & she thought it was frightening. Ah memories...

is Fox Studios in Sydney still open to the Public ?

lol Gumbuya Park.. I like it the cars are slow thats the lame thing

The backlot closed down because it could not return a profit and was turned into extra production space.

The retail component is still there along with the cinemas and has weekly markets.

The retail component is still...

barely!

But isn't that "The Entertainment Quarter"? How did they pinch such an important title? I suppose nowhere else had the title.

Just bumping this thread...

I've received this link to a heap of photos of Wonderland under construction during 1984 and 1985. Very fascinating look...

http://wonderlandhistory.net/construction/

I grew up right in wonderlands hey day. Always great fun for a day trip. Real shame, I would have thought the Sydney metro area would require a large amusement park.
I must say I think that Jamberoo is better as far as a water park goes but it just doesnt have the same big rides (rollercoasters etc).
I read in the merc a few months ago they want to really revamp jamberoo but if you ask me its a bit far south to really tap the sydney metro area market

Sydney can support a large theme park, the themepark just needs to ensure it keeps relevant with new rides and amenity and not try and bluff the public - like the owners did with Australia's Wonderland. I am so sad to see it gone, no more all night raves there, no more Space Probe, and no more Sydney Themeparks.

Ha ha, seeing this thread just reminded me on the time I was in a photo-shoot on The Bush Beast. It was for a Swiss bank, and they wanted some photos of people riding an old-fashioned styled roller-coaster.

After riding it non-stop, 23 times, we all had a massive headache, but no one more than the photographer, who had to ride backwards, in the first car (which had the seats removed). The camera constantly hit him in the head, and they ended up fitting him with a crash helmet and wrapping it in foam rubber to prevent concussion :bash:

^ that ride almost gave me concussion everytime, just as you hit the bottom of the first huge dip!

^^ But you always kept coming back for more, yes? :)

sure did!

I went to a few all night raves at wonderland, the demon, space probe, wizard's fury and bounties revenge were incredible with a few extra supplements.

Aaaah, memories. Probably was my favourite coaster. Not because of it being all fancy, but because it wasn't.

It actually felt like a ride. Not an "engineered experience" as most rides are these days.

Obviously engineering was involved... but it didn't feel engineered, which was probably why it was such a good ride.

It's a shame it didn't survive. A large part of the problem in the later years was that there was nothing truly new. The crappy new theming which came I believe with the change in management (which decided to go generic) also I think ruined it a little.

It was also ridiculously expensive (though Olympic Park has since redefined the term!).

Sydney can support a large theme park, the themepark just needs to ensure it keeps relevant with new rides and amenity and not try and bluff the public - like the owners did with Australia's Wonderland. I am so sad to see it gone, no more all night raves there, no more Space Probe, and no more Sydney Themeparks.

You two are spot on. The Malaysian owners simply invested nothing into the park. No new rides were introduced at all from memory.

They wanted to build a resort adjoining the park several years ago, but Blacktown Council gave it the thumbs down. Another nail in the coffin to it's demise.

I dont think we will see a theme park for a while, given Iemma doesnt seem one bit interested, and yet he is a family man.

I remember My Mum and Dad took me there in 2000 when we went to Sydney I really Liked it , but two years ago I found out it closed down !

what are they going to be building on the land now ?

Industrial Park.

Wonderland was a part of life for most kids growing up in Sydney in the 80's and 90's - I agree with the assessments of the Bush Beast - it did feel unsafe, but it was still the best ride there.

I drove past the old site last week - you would now not even know there was a theme park there, it's almost a fully developed industrial park now, to the south west of the Lighthorse interchange (where the M4 and M7 meet up). By fully developed, I mean where Wonderland was, there is more land to the south which wasn't part of it that is now being developed.

Although it is a tokenistic measure, the main street through the park is called Wonderland Drive, and pretty much follows the original alignment from Wallgrove Road and up the hill to the entry.

It is called Interchange Park, and here's the wesbite:

http://www.interchangepark.com.au/index2.html

Most of the rides were still there as late as 18 months ago and then you were wondering if anything was actually going to be built there. Quick transformation.

Where's our Disneyland???

Most of the rides were still there as late as 18 months ago and then you were wondering if anything was actually going to be built there. Quick transformation.

Where's our Disneyland???

It has been quick - it's now been four years since it was closed, and there appears to be no more remnants of it left visible from the M4 or Wallgrove Road.

A short lived part of Sydney's history gone forever. :(

They had to close it because it was too much fun to have in one day.

The website was updated just last month.

cheers interesting site the green earthmoving equipment is different