Wonderland Sydney officially closed

Amidst record attendance set as a result of the announcement of the closure, Wonderland says goodbye.

The park opened December 7 1985 with just three themed areas - Hanna Babera Land, Medieval Fair and Goldrush. That changed over the years to include Botany Bay, Transylvania, The Beach and The Australian Wildlife Park, with Medieval Fair and Hanna Babera land being removed later.

The park always had potential, but often failed to live up to this, with only two major attractions added in the park's history. Many more were removed over the years, particularly towards then end of the park's somewhat shaky history.

Reasons cited by management for the closure included, SARS, September 11, Ansett's collapse and a whole host of other scapegoats. Never did the lack of significant new rides or attractions for the last ten years come into the reasons given.

The site is to be turned into an industrial area, creating an alleged 9,000 jobs. Homes for the rides is not known at this stage, though all the major rides are expected to be sold, with the park seeking expressions of interests from interested parties. Their fate could be said to rest in the hands of Australia's other theme and amusement parks.

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