Sea World marks 50th anniversary

October 30, 2021

Gold Coast theme park Sea World has today marked 50 years of operations - during which more than 50 million guests have walked through its gates.

With its marine park having officially opening on 30th October 1971, over five decades it has been Australia’s premier marine park and brought joy and memories to generations of visitors through an array of world-class shows, rides, attractions and animal experiences.

Village Roadshow Chief Executive, Clark Kirby advised today that the anniversary is a momentous occasion, stating “Sea World is an iconic part of Australia’s tourism industry and we are excited to be able to celebrate this major milestone with a host of delegates and our long-serving team members.

“Since opening, we have seen over 50 million visitors come through the gates, employed over 30 thousand team members and conducted over 10 thousand marine rescues, which is something we pride ourselves on.

“One of our biggest accomplishments is becoming a global leader in marine conservation with our team conducting thousands of marine rescues of all different species over the years and playing an integral role in many marine research efforts all with the goal to better understand, protect and conserve the marine environment for generations to come.

“The birthday is a great opportunity for us to look back and celebrate the park’s long and wonderful history but we are also eagerly looking forward to the park’s bright future with the upcoming opening of the world-class New Atlantis precinct including the Leviathan wooden rollercoaster, which will be the world’s greatest family rollercoaster.”

Sea World, which is marking the anniversary across the entire weekend, mixing it with Halloween celebrations tomorrow, celebrated on the Sea World Ski Lake with a gigantic 50th birthday cake for staff and visitors and smaller cakes for some of its animals.

Image: Sea World team and cast members celebrate the attraction's 50th anniversary (top) and a poster from 1971 (below). Credit: Sea World.

21st October 2021 - Opening of Sea World’s new wooden rollercoaster delayed until Easter 2022

16th September 2021 - Sea World team assist in releasing rehabilitated turtles into wild

4th June 2021 - Warner Bros. Movie World commences festivities to mark 30th Anniversary

14th May 2021 - Village Roadshow announces new investment in Gold Coast theme parks

18th April 2021 - Sea World’s Leviathan rollercoaster nears completion

23rd January 2021 - Sydney Tower Eye celebrates 40th anniversary alongside lease extension to 2030

21st December 2020 - Sea World’s New Atlantis precinct launches with opening of the Vortex

9th December 2020 - Sea World and QPWS staff combine to free dolphin after days trapped in North Stradbroke Island rock pool

9th December 2020 - BGH Capital confirmed as Village Roadshow’s new owners

8th December 2020 - Village Roadshow reveals new imagery for Sea World’s New Atlantis Precinct

30th December 2019 - Sea World polar bear Liya dies aged 19

23rd December 2019 - Sea World hit with new protests over dolphin care

17th December 2019 - Sea World Helicopters opens new multi-million-dollar terminal

16th December 2019 - Sea World has ‘nothing to hide’ in its dolphin care

11th September 2019 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks reveal schedule for opening of new Sea World attractions

28th August 2019 - Sea World team releases pair of rehabilitated green turtles

15th December 2019 - Dreamworld kicks off 38th anniversary celebrations

21st May 2019 - Sea World Cruises launch new whale watching vessel

28th April 2019 - Sea World polar bear cub celebrates second birthday

1st April 2019 - Sea World’s newest multi-million-dollar ski show officially opens

14th February 2019 - Sea World’s oldest dolphin dies aged 55

14th December 2018 - Sea World launches new attraction for peak summer season

3rd November 2018 - Sea World Resort retains status as ‘Best Australian Family Resort’

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