Gold Coast parks still pack a punch

• Published date: 21 June 2022
• Publication title: Ensign, The

FOR tens of thousands of families jetting to the Gold Coast for a winter getaway, the legendary theme parks take pole position on the holiday agenda. And fair enough too. Some of my fondest childhood holiday memories revolve around those enthralling theme parks. I’ve always viewed the GC as a Mary Poppins travel destination — ready, willing and able to spellbind the kids

The theme park frenzy of thrills and spills, great heights and sights, all combine to deliver a power-packed, head-swirling vacation experience. Attractions are regularly refreshed, so because it’s been a while since Kiwis headed to these parks en-masse, here’s a look at some of the staple experiences and recently added installations to rev-up the titillation-factor.

Dreamworld’s signature new ride is a reptilian rollercoaster experience with a top speed of 105kmh and a G-force of 3.8. Just five-months-old, the Steel Taipan snakes around 1.2km of twists, turns and gut-lurching launches. With multiple inversions, it is Australia’s only triple-launch coaster, which for the uninitiated means you will encounter three gut-lurching drops. It also features the world’s first ‘‘Tailwhip’’— a spinning seat at the rear of the carriage, if you are so inclined.

Another Aussie (and world) first is a motorbike rollercoaster, or motocoaster, as it’s been dubbed. The Mick Doohan Motocoaster features life-size replicas of 500cc racing bikes and two aerodynamically profiled sidecars designed for small children and disabled guests. As you rip around the track and high-speed corners, you’ll clock 72kmh. It’s supposedly the next best thing to Moto GP racing. And you’ll definitely want to ride what is surely the best named rollercoaster in the world — the Gold Coaster! Speed through a 360-degree loop and 13-storeys of heart-thumping high-speed fun, hitting speeds of up to 85kmh. A Gold Coast classic.

Dreamworld is also a wildlife conservation park, housing a wide range of animals, including their famous Tiger Island. If you’ve ever wanted to feed a tiger, you’ve come to the right place. Thankfully, you’ll feed them holding tongs. But this 15-minute experience will leave you roaring. The character star power at Dreamworld is fuelled by DreamWorks, with a cast of characters out in force including Shrek, Madagascar characters, plus Wiggles characters like Dorothy the Dinosaur and Captain Feathersword. And how could you not say g’day to Dreamworld mascots Kenny and Belinda?

Movie World sets itself apart as one of...