Local Support

Aussie World’s SX360 ride, supplied by Italian ride manufacturer Technical Park.

Stacey Grims explains how local support is helping Aussie World through the challenges of the past year

Since first opening its gates to excited Sunshine Coast locals and visitors, the Aussie World entertainment precinct has evolved and continued to add more attractions and events that keep people coming back to experience something new.

Despite interruptions to the tourism industry in recent times, the park has continued to provide new experiences for those looking to explore their own backyard and gained plenty of support from the local community.

When the gates reopened at Aussie World following the initial COVID-19 lockdown in the first half of 2020, the park noticed a demand from local families who could not wait to get out of the house and enjoy what the Sunshine Coast had to offer.

Aussie World’s relaunched Ride the Night events were a sell-out during the spring school holidays, creating a new and exciting experience for those families, as well as adults looking for some adrenaline-packed adventure.

Since 2011, Aussie World has added a variety of attractions, and updated its existing rides including the introduction of childrens’ favourites Bug Ride and Bombora Bounce drop and twist tower; The Wasp thrill ride; new dodgem cars and Speed Stars racing cars, as well as ongoing upgrades to keep the park looking fresh.

The most recent ride opening was the SX360 in June 2021, which was a $2.5 million investment and a further boost to visitor numbers, delivering on its promise to introduce new products into the Sunshine Coast tourism market.

While Aussie World has long been known as a destination for young families, the SX360 is opening the park up to a new market, with an increase in thrill rides being introduced.

The SX360 is Australia’s tallest and fastest 360-degree pendulum swing, reaching speeds of 80km/h while launching 32 metres into the air and completing four inversions up to 5Gs.

While there has been limited interstate travel in the last 12 months due to border restrictions, the support has continued from the local community, including the Queensland and Sunshine Coast tourism organisations who helped officially open the new thrill ride.

Aussie World Manager, Shannon Fay explains “the COVID lockdown and border restrictions did affect visitation at Aussie

World, but we still saw a lot of support, particularly from locals who wanted to get the family out and about, and those from the drive market, looking for new experiences in their own backyard.

“Another great support to us has been Visit Sunshine Coast, who have created some fantastic opportunities for us to feature in TV shows and take part in ride openings and media familiarisations to raise awareness of what we have on offer.”

The official launch of the SX360 was attended by representatives of Tourism and Events Queensland and Visit Sunshine Coast who were among the first to experience the thrills of the ride and had some positive words to say about the future of the park.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe highlighted how the state government had helped Aussie World get the SX360 off the ground, noting “investment in new tourism experiences like the SX360 support local jobs and our Economic Recovery Plan for Sunshine Coast tourism.

“Aussie World is a good example of the tourism industry rebuilding better for the future.”

Visit Sunshine Coast Industry and Membership Development Manager, Andrew Fairbairn is also enthusiastic about the new ride, adding “new products and experiences are an important part of keeping up with consumer demand.

“This opening provides fresh incentive for visitors to stay longer and spend more, entice new visitors to the region and encourage return travellers to try something they can’t anywhere else in the country.”

Aussie World will soon welcome a new spinning coaster, called the Dingo Racer, which will be a classic medium sized rollercoaster designed for all ages, with construction well and truly underway.

The spinning rollercoaster car will reach a height of 14 metres, before twisting and turning along the track reaching speeds of up to 72km/h.

Fay added “while the park is still focused on family attractions, there has been an increase in demand for bigger, adrenalinfuelled thrill rides, particularly for the teen and young adults markets.

“This is where Aussie World intends to grow in the coming years, while still looking after the families.”

Aussie World’s Banana Bender Pub has also continued hosting popular ticketed events such as the Halloween event in October 2020, which attracted thousands of visitors, and the iconic Great Australian Dunny Races held recently.

Regular live concerts, comedy acts and shows are held at the two venues’ adjoining theatre, The Shed, which provides thousands of locals with entertainment throughout the year.

There is no doubt that Aussie World and the Banana Bender Pub have grown into venues that appeal to all age groups and interests, and with the ongoing development of the precinct, the new experiences will continue to grow. Stacey Grims is founder and Director for Influence Public Relations.