Dreamworld | Gold Coast

Dreamworld is a large theme park located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Known for its exciting rides, family-friendly attractions, and unique experiences, Dreamworld is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular destinations for both tourists and locals. Opened in 1981, Dreamworld has become an iconic part of the Gold Coast’s vibrant theme park scene, offering a variety of attractions, shows, and opportunities to interact with animals.

1. History and Overview

Opening: Dreamworld opened its doors on December 15, 1981, founded by the company Adelaide's Funtopia and later becoming part of Ardent Leisure. The park was initially designed to showcase Australia’s history, culture, and wildlife, but over time it expanded to include a wide variety of thrill rides, family attractions, and entertainment options.

Location: Dreamworld is located in Coomera, about a 20-minute drive from Surfers Paradise. It is set within a large area, with over 85 hectares dedicated to rides, attractions, and themed lands.

2. Themed Areas and Attractions

Dreamworld is divided into several distinct themed areas, each offering different experiences, from thrilling roller coasters to family-friendly zones and animal exhibits.

1. DreamWorks Experience

This area is inspired by DreamWorks Animation films and is perfect for families with younger children. It features attractions based on popular animated movies like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and Madagascar.

Shrek's Ogre-Go-Round: A whimsical, family-friendly carousel ride featuring characters from the Shrek films.

Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness: A fun interactive experience with a 4D cinema experience that brings Kung Fu Panda to life, along with various themed attractions and characters for meet-and-greets.

Madagascar Jungle Vibes: An area filled with Madagascar-themed activities, including an exciting boat ride with characters from the movie.

2. The Giant Drop and Thrill Rides

Dreamworld is famous for its thrilling rides and high-speed attractions, particularly for adrenaline junkies.

The Giant Drop: Standing at a height of 120 meters (390 feet), this is one of the tallest free-fall rides in the world. Visitors are dropped at extreme speed from the top of a tower, offering breathtaking views of the park before plunging down.

Steel Taipan: This roller coaster features some of the most intense twists and turns, combined with high-speed drops and sharp turns. It is one of the park’s newest and most popular thrill rides.

The Claw: A giant pendulum ride that swings back and forth, reaching heights of over 45 meters (148 feet). It offers extreme thrills with its intense speed and motion.

Wipeout: A spinning ride that simulates the experience of being swept up in a giant wave, combining dizzying rotations with sharp movements.

Tower of Terror II: Once one of the park's most famous attractions, this roller coaster launches visitors at extreme speed backwards, sending them up the top of a 115-meter-high tower, before plunging back down at neck-breaking speed.

3. Family and Kids’ Rides

For those with younger children or families, Dreamworld offers a range of gentler rides and attractions. - ABC Kids World: A dedicated kids' zone that features rides and attractions based on the popular ABC Kids programming. It includes a variety of fun and interactive activities, designed especially for young children. - Puss In Boots Giant Journey: A family-friendly coaster ride based on the Puss in Boots character from the Shrek universe. It features gentle drops and turns suitable for younger children. - Big Red Car Ride: Based on The Wiggles, this is a fun, colorful ride designed for toddlers and younger children to enjoy with familiar characters from the show. - Dreamworld Express: A miniature train ride that takes guests around the park, offering a relaxing, scenic journey while seeing the park's various themed areas.

4. WhiteWater World

Adjacent to Dreamworld is WhiteWater World, a water park that’s part of the larger Dreamworld complex. It offers water-based fun for all ages, with attractions such as: - The Green Room: A water roller coaster that twists and turns through water-filled tunnels and drops. - Surfrider: A ride that simulates the experience of riding a massive wave, spinning and dropping guests as they’re lifted into the air on large surfboards. - Pipeline Plunge: A high-speed water slide that sends riders down a series of steep drops, creating a thrilling and splashy adventure. - Breakers Bay: A large wave pool that allows visitors to experience the feeling of swimming in ocean-like waves.

5. Wildlife and Animal Exhibits

Dreamworld is also known for its extensive wildlife exhibits and its role in animal conservation. The park is home to a variety of Australian animals and offers a chance for guests to interact with and learn about them. - Tiger Island: One of Dreamworld’s major attractions, Tiger Island is home to Siberian tigers and Sumatran tigers. Visitors can watch live shows featuring these magnificent animals, learn about their conservation, and even take part in tiger feeding experiences. - Australian Wildlife Experience: Dreamworld features a range of Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, emus, and more. Visitors can walk through the animal enclosures, interact with some of the animals, and even hold a koala for a photo. - Dreamworld's Conservation Efforts: The park has long been involved in wildlife conservation, particularly in supporting efforts to protect endangered species such as tigers, koalas, and various Australian wildlife.

6. The Australian Outback

This area of the park offers an immersive experience that showcases the Australian outback and its wildlife. - Outback Adventure Ride: A family-friendly ride that explores the outback and its wild creatures, while also giving an insight into the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape. - Crocodile Hunter: A tribute to Steve Irwin, the famous conservationist, and the work done by the Australia Zoo. The park features an interactive crocodile exhibit and the opportunity to learn more about the wildlife conservation efforts Steve Irwin championed.

3. Shows and Entertainment

Dreamworld offers a variety of live shows and entertainment throughout the day, designed to keep guests entertained while providing educational value:

Tiger Show: A live performance featuring Dreamworld’s tigers and their trainers, where guests can witness the powerful and graceful movements of these majestic animals in action.

Character Meet-and-Greets: Throughout the park, visitors can meet their favorite DreamWorks and ABC Kids characters, from Shrek and Kung Fu Panda to The Wiggles and Puss in Boots.

4. Dining and Shopping

Dreamworld offers various dining options, from casual snack bars to sit-down restaurants. Themed cafes provide a fun environment for families to enjoy a meal, and there are numerous kiosks selling refreshments throughout the park. Additionally, the park has many souvenir shops where guests can purchase Dreamworld-branded merchandise, plush toys, and themed gifts from the attractions.

5. Ticketing and Hours

Admission: Tickets for Dreamworld can be purchased for single-day entry or as part of a multi-park pass that includes access to other nearby theme parks like WhiteWater World and Warner Bros. Movie World. Discounts are available for children, seniors, and families.

Operating Hours: Dreamworld is typically open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though these hours can vary depending on the season or special events. It's advisable to check the website for updated hours.

6. Special Events

Throughout the year, Dreamworld hosts various special events, including:

Halloween Fright Nights: An annual Halloween event that features haunted houses, spooky rides, and other thrilling, frightening experiences.

Christmas Celebrations: During the holiday season, Dreamworld transforms into a festive wonderland, featuring holiday-themed shows, parades, and Christmas decorations.

Conclusion

Dreamworld offers something for everyone, from heart-pounding thrill rides to family-friendly experiences and animal encounters. Its blend of exciting attractions, wildlife exhibits, and live entertainment makes it one of the Gold Coast’s top destinations for fun and adventure. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for high-speed thrills or a family seeking a day of fun with animals, Dreamworld is sure to deliver a memorable experience.