Gold Coast theme parks shut as COVID-19 restrictions mount

Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and WhiteWater World as well as Australian Outack Spectacular, Paradise Country and Top Golf have all shut their doors temporarily as restrictions on businesses increase.

Dreamworld and WhiteWater World released the following update on their website:

Following an extensive review of the current situation around COVID-19, we have made the decision to temporarily cease operating Dreamworld and WhiteWater World from Monday the 23rd of March 2020.

Our Parks
In these difficult times, the decision to close our parks has not been one made easily, however the health and safety of our team members and guests remains our priority.

Park Health
We can assure the public that we have not been notified of any confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at our properties. We will continue to monitor and follow advice from Government Health Authorities. 

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Your Tickets
Passholders will receive an email communication regarding their Annual Passes and all ticketholders can read more about their specific ticket in the FAQs below.

Our Wildlife
Dreamworld’s wildlife will continue to be cared for throughout the park’s temporary closure days.

We will continue to keep you updated and we look forward to welcoming our valued guests and passholders back very soon. 

Village Roadshow Theme Parks, operators of Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast as well as Australian Outback Spectacular, Paradise Country and Topgolf Gold Coast, released this media statement:

At Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP) our number one priority has been and will always be the health and safety of our guests and team members.

Following recent Government announcements, and the increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases both nationally and on the Gold Coast, the decision has been made to temporarily close Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Paradise Country and Topgolf from close of business on Sunday 22 March. We will provide a further update on these operations on 31 March.

This is an extremely challenging time, and this is not a decision which was made lightly. As a result of this closure, unfortunately many team members have been temporarily stood down during this period. Senior Executives salaries have also been reduced.

The decision has been made to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the business, and most importantly to secure future jobs for our team members.

We are engaging with our team members to support them during this period, including providing access to their accrued leave entitlements.

We are also working actively with all levels of Government during this difficult time.

At this stage, Sea World Resort and Village Roadshow Studios will continue to operate. VRTP will continuously review the situation and be guided by the Queensland Hotels Association and appropriate levels of Government.

Since COVID-19 emerged, VRTP has worked closely with Government and leading experts to ensure that at all times it has adopted the highest level of health & safety practices.

We will continue to provide updates in a timely manner.

Both operators have indicated that existing annual passholders will have passes extended for the same period as the temporary closure. Village Roadshow membership holders will still be charged during the closure but will be reimbursed in the form of an e-gift card equal to the amount charged during closure.