Bringing the Fun Back

Funlab’s Hijinx Hotel. Credit: Zennieshia Butts.

Following the impacts of the COVID pandemic, natural disasters and staff shortages over the last three years, Gwen Luscombe examines how the industry is fi nally getting fun back

To say the last few years have been challenging is a vast understatement but as COVID restrictions have eased, people are keen to get out and enjoy themselves again.

Given that delivering fun and enjoyment is a significant part of what this industry is about, reversing the (at times) impossible slog for the industry is now seeing operators investing in fun again.

At Raging Waters Sydney (the former Wet’n’Wild Sydney), General Manager Ros Pullen sees that, despite the past few years being stark, there’s a pent-up demand for fun and leisure experiences and the ability to deliver a premium guest experience is back on the agenda.

Pollen, recently elected as Director of the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA), explains “we know there will be a strong demand for fun this summer and we are gearing up for our best season yet.

“Our team have been preparing the park and are excited to welcome back larger groups including the education sector, exclusive corporate days and exciting partnership opportunities. This season will also have some new events launched including lots of school holiday activities for families.”

Aware that guests are seeking safer outdoor entertainment options to have fun with their friends and family, Pullen is encouraged that in the lead up to its 1st October opening “we saw a lot of interest coming through our call centre with guests eager to purchase season passes. Already in the works are multiple education days and the return of buyout exclusive days.”

Likewise, entertainment and hospitality provider Funlab has also seen the demand return for fun.

Since launching in 2002 with their first brand Strike Bowling on Melbourne’s Chapel Street, they’ve since evolved into a portfolio of eight Funlab brands including mini golf with Holey Moley Golf Club, arcade fun with Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and B. Lucky & Sons as well as their newly launched La Di Darts and Hijinx Hotel in Sydney.

Raging Waters Sydney.

La Di Darts. Credit: Zennieshia Butts. Raging Waters Sydney.

Outlining its offerings, Blaise Witnish, Funlab’s Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, advises “our brands are hinged on combining nostalgic activities and concepts with an amazing food and drinks offering to deliver all-around game-changing experiences through whole new worlds of fun.”

Like many businesses in leisure, Funlab says that COVID lockdowns and restrictions were a really tough time for both guests and staff. However, they’ve further invested in brands dedicated to bringing back a quirky level of fun to the young and young at heart with the launch of their new brands.

Witnish notes “this year we have launched three new venues including two new brands in Sydney, La Di Darts and Hijinx Hotel which have already been extremely successful and incredibly popular with guests.”

La Di Darts is a 2022 rendition of the classic pub activity. A gamified darts experience that’s accessible gives Sydneysiders the ability to hit their bullseyes in style with their own Gatsby-themed private booth and a bespoke cocktail menu.

Commenting on Funlab’s latest Brand, Witnish declares “we are stoked to bring La Di Darts to Sydney’s entertainment scene, adding our signature Funlab twist to such a classic and iconic pub-friendly game that everyone can enjoy.

“We wanted to create an epic space for social gatherings, and given the glamorous theme and eclectic ‘insta-worthy’ cocktail offering, next to Darlinghurst’s Holey Moley location seemed to be the perfect spot to roll out the gameplay.

“While Sydney gets the first taste at La Di Darts, we are pumped at the prospect of launching this concept throughout other locations Australia-wide in the future.”

Additionally, Funlab has invested in a second new offering for Sydney siders, which recently opened in June. The Hijinx Hotel is a leisure-tainment wonderland where guests ‘play not stay’.

Featuring a faux hotel lobby, a lift, three cocktail bars and 15 quick-play challenge rooms, guests will call upon skill, cooperation, coordination and a little bit of luck to claim victory in the completely interactive and immersive challenges. Guests can purchase a 30-minute game session in teams of 2-6 players. Sessions include a ‘course’ of five challenge rooms at four minutes per room and lasting 20 minutes in total, with 10 minutes to move between rooms.

Witnish adds “Hijinx Hotel is like nothing we’ve ever done, or that the world has ever seen before. Not only are we stoked to be giving the precinct this brand new and exciting concept, we think the addition of our biggest ever Holey Moley venue will add even more fun factor to Alexandria, and the existing Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq venue, and further establish it as the perfect place for an epic day or night out.

“There are so many curated details to make every aspect of the precinct memorable, and of course, a blast to experience. The team has let their imaginations run wild and we are thrilled to finally open the doors on Hijinx Hotel.”

Funlab says that since the lifting of COVID restrictions they’ve seen many guests returning to their venues to experience the tactile social experiences that cannot be replicated from home or digitally.

With guests excited following two very dire years, Funlab has seen them trying new activities with friends, families and work colleagues and in particular, the business experienced a big upturn for the end of the financial year and during school

Funlab’s Hijinx Hotel. Credit: Zennieshia Butts. Fright Nights have returned to Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast.

The TRUBLUE™ iQ Auto Belay, the next generation of indoor and outdoor climbing wall auto belays (above) and the ValoJump (below). Both are available form The Highgate Group.

holiday periods with an increase in pre-booked functions.

Special events are also a relatively low-cost way to generate excitement, with theme parks having developed themed events throughout their calendar.

With Halloween events a global phenomena over the last decade, Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ Fright Nights events at Warner Bros. Movie World are returning this year and will be key to driving new visits in advance of new on the ground attractions at the park as well as the soon-to-open New Atlantis precinct at Sea World.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks Head of Entertainment, Michael Croaker advised “the beauty of Fright Nights is that the whole park transforms and guests find themselves immersed wherever they venture.”

Climbing as a fun activity is growing in popularity with rising interest spurred by the sport featured in the Tokyo Olympics.

As a leading supplier, the Highgate Group have designed and installed climbing walls, ninja courses, ropes courses and other associated facilities across Australia for over 35 years.

New to the market is the TRUBLUE IQ Auto Belay Device that Highgate distribute in Australia. Belaying is a technique climbers use to create friction within a climbing system, particularly on a climbing rope, so that a falling climber does not fall very far.

Highgate Group Head of Sales, Todd Austin explains “the TRUBLUE™ iQ Auto Belay is the next generation of indoor and outdoor climbing wall auto belays.

“Thousands of TRUBLUEs are now in use around the world in climbing gyms, ropes courses, family entertainment centres and other venues. Its self-regulating magnetic braking system is the result of years of research, development, and testing. What it’s brought to the climbing industry though is that it’s not just a life-safety device. It’s a climbing partner, which allows climbers to rest and project routes anytime. It’s proving a real game-changer.”

Another fascinating introduction not just to the climbing industry but the trampolining sector is Valo Motion “Valo League”; the first-ever Active eSports League for mixed-reality trampoline and climbing walls.

Austin adds “players of all skill levels can exercise and play across various games on ValoJump for trampolines and ValoClimb for climbing walls.

“The technology merges digital and physical sports with an added competitive play element as participants are able to compete against other trampoliners and climbers around the world. The platforms include real-time leaderboards and tournaments as well as seasonal events which are having a massive impact on boosting customer excitement and generating repeat visits.” Gwen Luscombe with Nigel Benton. Gwen Luscombe is Director of the Ideas Library and a frequent contributor to Australasian Leisure Management on tourism, business events, technology and hospitality.

DESIGNED WITH NATURE AND NURTURE IN MIND.