Gold Coast 2010 – Day 1, Dreamworld
October 2010, what a great time it was. Our visit to Australia turned out really well and one of the highlights was the two days we spent in Gold Coast. Because of our limited time, we simply could not spend more time there as was suggested by all. As a matter of fact, our original plan was to spend 1 full day there, but as it would be impossible to even visit 2 theme parks in one day we decided to stay for two.
We stayed at the Kirra Surf Apartments, which is literally 5 minutes walking distance from the airport and also right next to the beach. We arrived around 11 in the morning and after dumping our bags in the apartment, went off to Dreamworld.
Dreamworld was supposed to have the ultimate collection of roller coasters but was a bit disappointed to find only a few really good ones. However what it lacks in quantity it makes up somewhat with the quality of their top rides. Firstly the Tower of Terror II an insane ride that accelerates you to over 160km/hour in what feels like 2 seconds before plummeting you back to earth. Its fast, goes high (100 metres) and offers an incredible view of the park at its peak height. A+ ride indeed. Another highlight is The Claw, and although not a roller coaster (rather one of the pendulum type swinging, spinning rides) it is great and lasts what feels like a very long time. Definitely one of the parks main attractions. Finally there is the ominously high Giant Drop which lifts you up well over 35 stories to give you the ultimate view of the park. This view alone is worth the long lines and although it is over in a second, this cannot be missed. The other rides are not that appealing, The Cyclone is ok, but nothing to write home about either.
The best part of Dreamworld however, is that its not just the rides which are the attraction. There is a full blown water park inside as well, which we did not visit. In addition and most importantly there is the Australian Wildlife Experience, which is a sort of mini zoo complete with koalas, kangaroos, and tigers. This place which I certainly did not expect in a theme park is a wonderful surprise. You can see and touch the kangaroos and koalas, plus get professional photos with the koalas as well, which despite the high price are worth it as souvenirs.
Overall, our first day was a great day. Sure I expected a lot more thrilling rides but the park made up for that shortcoming with the one of a kind Australian Wildlife Experience segment and the insane Tower of Terror II.
This one promptly went to sleep while Kaniz was still holding it…..
We stayed at the Kirra Surf Apartments, which is literally 5 minutes walking distance from the airport and also right next to the beach. We arrived around 11 in the morning and after dumping our bags in the apartment, went off to Dreamworld.
Dreamworld was supposed to have the ultimate collection of roller coasters but was a bit disappointed to find only a few really good ones. However what it lacks in quantity it makes up somewhat with the quality of their top rides. Firstly the Tower of Terror II an insane ride that accelerates you to over 160km/hour in what feels like 2 seconds before plummeting you back to earth. Its fast, goes high (100 metres) and offers an incredible view of the park at its peak height. A+ ride indeed. Another highlight is The Claw, and although not a roller coaster (rather one of the pendulum type swinging, spinning rides) it is great and lasts what feels like a very long time. Definitely one of the parks main attractions. Finally there is the ominously high Giant Drop which lifts you up well over 35 stories to give you the ultimate view of the park. This view alone is worth the long lines and although it is over in a second, this cannot be missed. The other rides are not that appealing, The Cyclone is ok, but nothing to write home about either.
The best part of Dreamworld however, is that its not just the rides which are the attraction. There is a full blown water park inside as well, which we did not visit. In addition and most importantly there is the Australian Wildlife Experience, which is a sort of mini zoo complete with koalas, kangaroos, and tigers. This place which I certainly did not expect in a theme park is a wonderful surprise. You can see and touch the kangaroos and koalas, plus get professional photos with the koalas as well, which despite the high price are worth it as souvenirs.
Overall, our first day was a great day. Sure I expected a lot more thrilling rides but the park made up for that shortcoming with the one of a kind Australian Wildlife Experience segment and the insane Tower of Terror II.
Kirra Surf – close to the beach and to the airport.
Our room with a view…..
The view from the balcony
The Entrance to Dreamworld – Note it doesn’t actually look this cartoony in real life (CS5 to blame for that)
That's the Giant Drop towering in the background
Gold Rush Area
Going up the Giant Drop
The Claw – a lot better than I thought it would be.
Another view of the Giant Drop – on the right the track is for the ToTII
Entrance to the Australian Wildlife Experience
A unique experience only mitigating factor was that the kangaroos were a little too mellow, hardly moving at all!
Finally saw a koala for the first time…..
This one promptly went to sleep while Kaniz was still holding it…..
Although hard to see, the tiger in the back is a white tiger. First time I saw one.
That is a real tiger……. just chilling i guess…….
Couldn’t miss the opportunity to get a pic with SpongeBob of course.
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