Dreamworld opened on 15 December 1981 in Coomera on Queensland’s Gold Coast, built on land founder John Longhurst began assembling in 1974. Now owned and operated by Coast Entertainment, the park spans about 55 hectares (137 acres) and bills itself as Australia’s largest theme park, combining more than 40 rides with a registered zoo housing koalas, kangaroos, and Tiger Island’s big cats.
The park’s thrill lineup centers on five roller coasters, headlined by Steel Taipan, a Mack Rides triple-launch coaster that opened in December 2021, alongside Gold Coaster, Big Red Boat, Kenny’s Forest Flyer, and the Rivertown precinct’s Jungle Rush, which opened in December 2024. Motocoaster, a longtime Intamin favorite, permanently closed on 1 February 2026 and is being rebuilt as the family launch coaster Lost Mine Mayhem, due in 2027, while the Southern Hemisphere’s largest gyro swing, King Claw, opened in December 2025.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Coomera, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Operator: Coast Entertainment
- Opened: 15 December 1981
- Size: About 55 hectares (137 acres)
- Annual visitors: Roughly 1 million+ (park visitation; Coast Entertainment’s combined attractions topped 2 million in FY2026)
- Signature attraction: Steel Taipan roller coaster (Mack Rides, opened 2021)
The Ride Experience
Dreamworld currently runs five roller coasters: the launch-and-loop Steel Taipan, which reaches about 105 km/h (65 mph) across roughly 1,200 m of track; the veteran Gold Coaster, an Arrow Dynamics looper that has run since 2001; the family-friendly Big Red Boat and Kenny’s Forest Flyer; and Jungle Rush, which opened in the Rivertown precinct in December 2024 with an inclined triple-switch turntable. Motocoaster took its final ride on 1 February 2026 and is being retooled into Lost Mine Mayhem, expected to reopen the site in 2027.
Beyond the coasters, the park doubles as a wildlife attraction, with Tiger Island and other precincts giving visitors close encounters with native and exotic species, a combination of thrills and animal experiences that sets Dreamworld apart from most Australian theme parks.
From Tragedy to Renewal
On 25 October 2016, a malfunction on the Thunder River Rapids Ride killed four people: Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, and Roozi Araghi. A coronial inquest found systemic safety failures at the park, and parent company Ardent Leisure was later fined $3.6 million after pleading guilty to workplace safety breaches. The ride was permanently closed and demolished.
In the years since, the park overhauled its safety systems and has invested heavily in new attractions, including the Rivertown expansion, King Claw, and the upcoming Lost Mine Mayhem, as it works to rebuild its position as one of Australia’s most visited theme parks.
Explore more: more theme parks.
Dreamworld FAQs
Is Dreamworld the largest theme park in Australia?
Dreamworld describes itself as Australia’s largest theme park, covering about 55 hectares (137 acres) in Coomera on the Gold Coast.
What happened at Dreamworld in 2016?
On 25 October 2016, a malfunction on the Thunder River Rapids Ride killed four guests. A coronial inquest found systemic safety failures, and operator Ardent Leisure was fined $3.6 million after pleading guilty to safety breaches. The ride was demolished.
How many roller coasters does Dreamworld have?
As of 2026, Dreamworld operates five roller coasters: Steel Taipan, Gold Coaster, Big Red Boat, Kenny’s Forest Flyer, and Jungle Rush. Motocoaster permanently closed on 1 February 2026 and is being rebuilt as Lost Mine Mayhem, planned to reopen in 2027.
Get More from Dreamworld
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Dreamworld, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: ASphericalBird / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.