Dreamworld :: Queensland, Australia

When most people think of a theme park, they think of it as being only for kids and thrill seekers. Not so with Dreamworld in Queensland, Australia. Opened in 1981, Dreamworld is now home to two parks: the original Dreamworld, and opened in 2006, Whitewater World. They boast of thirteen different “worlds” you can visit in the main park. Everything from Nickelodeon Central and Wiggles World for the kiddies, to Tiger Island and the Wildlife Experience for nature buffs, to the IMAX Theatre and Main Street for those who prefer a more casual laid back sort of vacation; it’s truly amazing how much they have packed into just over 200 acres. Whitewater World, currently working on a massive expansion plan, has great action packed rides along with a wave pool, surf school, and child friendly areas too. With plenty of restaurants, shopping, rides, and entertainment to fill your day, you are definitely going to want to plan ahead before you make your journey out.

A fun, easy ride to start the day with is the Dreamworld Railway. This steam powered train will take you all around the park to help you figure out what you want to do and where you want to go first. It’s also one of Dreamworld’s first rides. Easily accessible from the Main Street entrance, Dreamworld Railway will take you rides, games, and more. A theme park with a bit of a “carnival feel” to it, the games here are challenging enough for adults while still being plenty entertaining for kids of all ages. Try the Shooting Gallery, Croc Pond Boats, or the Game Site (they even have a bowling alley!) on for size. Expect to see plenty of Nickelodeon and Wiggles characters running around too. SpongeBob, Dora, Wags the Dog, and Captain Feathersword are all here to brighten your day and make you laugh. Sticking to the slower side of the entertainment spectrum, there are also lots of live shows to captivate your imagination. Take a ride over to Tiger Island for a fascinating look at their beautiful Bengal Tigers during the Tiger Presentations. Animal enthusiasts will be excited to know there are cougar and Australian wildlife presentations as well. Get down and dirty with the SpongeBob SquarePants Show or get absolutely filthy at Slime Time Live!

If you’re looking for action, worry not, there is plenty to be had here at Dreamworld. Head over to Gold Rush Country and get ready to raft at 30 mph down the Thunder River Rapids. It’s a perfect way to cool down during a hot Australian summer. The Tower of Terror is as scary as it sounds. With a sheer vertical drop from 38 stories up and six and a half seconds of weightlessness, it will definitely give you butterflies in your stomach. Grab their Q4U electronic pass to bypass the lines and be first up for all the other rides too. Their new AVPX (Alien vs. Predator vs. You) is a speedy and fun laser tag game based on the Alien vs. Predator movie. Stop by Dreamworld at night to experience a whole new level of thrills with Screamworld. Calling itself, “The After Dark Park”, you can brave all the awesome rides and dance the night away to fantastic DJ mixes. Open year round except for Christmas Day and Anzac Morning, Dreamworld has something to offer for everyone. Take an afternoon or a 2 day pass, but make sure you get to experience one of the best times Australia has to offer!