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 eminating 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:

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