Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Luna Park Melbourne celebrates 110 years of history

Luna Park Melbourne celebrates 110 years of history
December 14, 2022

Luna Park Melbourne has marked its 110th anniversary with a celebration event held last night.

The oldest amusement park in Australia, Luna Park Melbourne staged a community event for guests, neighbours, local schools, charities and stakeholders.

Also marking the milestone, the Melbourne landmark launched a new summer soundtrack with This Is Where I Fun, performed by Australia’s Got Talent star Greg Gould, who co-wrote the track with Melbourne-based marketing strategist Tony Chilvers.

Officially opened on 13th December 1912, Luna Park brought a new type of fairground experience to Australia – with rides, sideshows and high-wire artists, husband and wife juggling act The Tossing Testros and acrobats Lovina and Franz who held one another by their teeth.

More than a century on, locals and visitors alike continue to enjoy Luna Park’s modern thrills and historic attractions - creating a world of fantastical fun that has created delightful memories for generations.

Commenting on the anniversary, Luna Park Melbourne Chief Executive, Mary Stuart stated “it’s lovely to see a new generation of children and adults making memories at Luna Park. It’s a part of Melbourne’s history, but it doesn’t belong behind glass.

“It’s a living museum in many ways, where you can enjoy attractions virtually unchanged from 110 years ago, while also experiencing modern thrills.

“We encourage everyone to share their most memorable Luna Park moments with us; the wild, the unforgettable, the exhilarating.”

Among Luna Park’s historic attractions, its Carousel, restored between 1999 and 2001, l is a grand example of carnival arts, with 68 magnificent horses each boasting an elaborate design. At the heart of the carousel is a large band organ made in Paris around 1909, the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only five in the world.

The Great Scenic Railway is the oldest continuously operating wooden rollercoaster in the world, persisting still when the Luna Park reduced operations during the First World War and as it operated under blackout conditions during the Second World War.

Welcoming guests, Mr Moon’s gaping face has been restored several times over the years.

Originally made of chicken wire, hessian and cement, the current Mr Moon is made of fibreglass, but, when being restored, used the original ‘bone structure’ as a guide, a process that involving the painstaking chipping off of six tonnes of concrete.

Related Articles

12th November 2022 - Luna Park Melbourne’s ‘Mr Moon’ entrance gets a facelift

18th October 2022 - Global attractions attendance report reveals 2021 as a year of recovery

27th December 2019 - Mary Stuart to step down as Chief Executive of Luna Park Melbourne

29th November 2019 - Luna Park Melbourne introduces new rides for summer

12th January 2018 - Security bollards erected to protect Luna Park Melbourne

14th June 2014 - Luna Park Melbourne to celebrate Christmas in July

23rd March 2014 - Luna Park Melbourne jumps into the Easter holidays

20th January 2014 - Luna Park Melbourne celebrates summer with three new rides

13th December 2013 - Luna Park Melbourne celebrates 101st birthday and 100th anniversary of its magical carousel

17th December 2012 - Luna Park Melbourne celebrates 100 years

27th September 2011 - Luna Park Melbourne reopens for the spring school holidays

2nd September 2011 - Luna Park Melbourne set to make the most of Fathers Day

20th January 2010 - Luna Park Melbourne deploys Centaman Web Ticketing


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 
 

Parkequip

Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…

read more

Fitness / Parks / Play / Recreation / Surfaces

 
 

Ungerboeck Software

As of February 2023, Ungerboeck Software has rebranded as Momentus Technologies.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Hospitality / Technology / Venues

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

CENTAMAN

Centaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

AlphaFit

AUSTRALIAN MADE. FIT FOR PURPOSE. Based on the Gold Coast, AlphaFit is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Australian gym equipment specifically for the commercial, strength and conditioning,…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business