Luna Park Sydney
By Richard Moore
Sitting
right on Sydney Harbour with views to the Harbour Bridge and Opera
House is an icon of Sydney - Luna Park.
The fun
park at Milsons Point has been around, seemingly forever in
Sydneysiders' minds, since its official opening in 1935 and seems to be
in no danger of slowing down.
Once you hop off the
ferry at Milsons Point you walk your way up to the
grotesque-but-welcoming face that hangs between two towers. Fans of
American architecture may recognize them as 36-metre models of the
Chrysler Building in New York.
There is no entry
fee and once inside you are in another place - one in which kids rule.
All
children have their favourite rides and we had two orders for the day.
One wanted to do the Wild Mouse to zoom along the 400 metres of track
in 61 seconds while 15 metres off the ground (we'll leave that for Mum)
and the Ferris Wheel.
First up the spectacular
Ferris Wheel that takes you 40 metres up and gives you some of the best
sights of Sydney you could possibly wish for. Shame the potential for
relaxing viewing was shattered by the screams of our gal who can't get
enough of roller coasters but is scared witless (although not silent)
by being on the very high lurchy thing.
Next it was
the Wild Mouse and Ma got to scream alongside the gal as they whizzed
around at great speed around corners that looked impossibly tight.
"Hope you can swim," laughed the ride manager, "then you can find the
one that flew off into the harbour last week!"
Oh
they are a laugh a minute these amusement park fellows...
Back
on the ground it was time to have a go on the much-less-stressful
carousel - one of the most ornate this chap has seen - and then the
dodgems. Aha, Dad in his element!
Next stop was
Coney Island where for a good price you could go in
and enjoy all sorts of old-but-still-fun rides.
There
are four huge slides to zip down while sitting on sacking - and two
evil-looking other ones that begin with an almost-vertical drop.
Needless to say the adventurous
nine-year-old threw herself at
it, while it was all I could do to keep the young fellow from breaking
his neck following her.
Also available at Coney
Island are the Wonkey Walk, the Barrel o' Fun, the Turkey Trot and the
Joy Wheel. All were made even more enjoyable by the laughs emanating
from the youngsters as they tried to stay upright.
If
you are thinking of going to Luna Park in Sydney I'd suggest planning
out the sort of rides your family will want to go on and then see if it
is worth getting an unlimited-rides pass.
Other
Luna Park rides include the Flying Saucer, the Rotor and the Tango
Train.
There is plenty of public transport to get
you to Luna Park - which is just over the northern end of the Sydney
Harbour Bridge - harbour ferries, trains and buses. You can check
timetables by phoning 131 500, or going to 131500.com.au.
There are also almost 400 car parks at Luna Park too.
Luna Park (Sydney) Opening Hours:
Luna Park in Sydney is open every day of the year. Entry to Luna Park is free.
Non-School Holidays (from End Summer Holidays to Beginning Spring Holidays)
Sunday 10am - 6pm
Monday 11am - 4pm
Tuesday to Thursday closed
Friday and Saturday 11am - 10pm
Non-School Holidays (from End Spring Holidays to Beginning Summer Holidays)
Sunday 10am to 6pm
Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday to Thursday closed
Friday and Saturday 11am - 11pm
Christmas School Holidays
Sunday to Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday and Saturday 10am - 11pm
Autumn Winter & Spring School Holidays
Sunday to Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday and Saturday 10am - 11pm
Prices:
Go Wild Pass:
130cm+ : $40
106 - 129cm : $30
85 - 105cm : $20
PEAK Go Wild Pass:
130cm+ : $45
106 - 129cm : $35
85 - 105cm : $25
(Peak Go Wild Pass prices apply during Luna Park's Peak periods, which generally follow NSW School Holidays)
Go Silly Pass: $30 (for unlimited access to Coney Island, the Ferris Wheel, Carousel, the Wild Mouse and Dodgem City
Coney Island Pass: $10 (for unlimited access to Coney Island)
Friday Night Lunacy: Go Wild Unlimited Rides Pass for $30 on Friday nights after 5pm.
Links:
LunaParkSydney.com
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