Dreamworld Amusement Park on Australia's Gold Coast is currently the country's largest theme park with 27 rides, including 4 roller coasters. The park consists of several areas including Ocean Parade, Nickelodeon, Spinning World, Gold Rush Land, Rocky Gorge, Tiger Island and Wildlife Australia. Very often during the year, Dreamworld remains open after dark, at which point it transforms into Screamworld, a world of horror with chilling rides.
The park began in 1974 when John Longhurst decided to realise his dream of building a theme entertainment park, and purchased 85 hectares of land in the town of Coomera near the Pacific Highway. Working 12 hours a day, it took Longhurst two years to dig a canal for the Murrissippi River. Sparing no expense, he hired designers who had worked on Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Longhurst chose rides to cater to all age groups. On 15 November 1981, Dreamworld Park was inaugurated by Queensland Premier Sir Joe Bjelk-Peterson. Today, it truly offers entertainment for all tastes.
From the entrance begins Main Street, which runs through the entire park. It is lined with cafes and souvenir shops, a 3D cinema and the Dreamworld railway station. Vintage lovers should hurry to the Land of Gold Fever, where you can shoot in a shooting gallery and ride a rumbling water slide. If you want to tickle your nerves, head to Rocky Gorge, where the world's highest free fall attraction has been operating since 1998 - from a height of 119 metres you'll be whizzing along at 135km/h! Or to Rivertown, home to one of the world's tallest and fastest roller coasters, Tower of Fear II. The Ocean Parade grounds are home to three of the 6 scariest local rides - The Claw, Crush and Cyclone. And here you can try yourself as a diver or a stingray hunter. And after such an emotional shake it is better to head to the Australian Wildlife Zoo and calmly wander among almost 800 animals in their natural habitat. Or you can visit Tiger Island, home to 6 Bengal and 6 Sumatran tigers and 2 panthers. Toddlers will love the Spinning World, where they can go on safe and fast rides. Older children should be sent to Nickelodeon to meet popular cartoon characters. Here they will also be able to ride the "Restless Kids" roller coaster.
