Rainbow’s End is New Zealand’s largest theme park, located in Manukau, Auckland. It opened in December 1982 on the site of a former skate park and has grown over four decades from simple bumper boats and mini golf into a 9.3-hectare (23-acre) attraction owned by Rainbow’s End Theme Park Limited, a subsidiary of Rangatira Limited.
The park’s three roller coasters anchor its thrill lineup: the Arrow Dynamics-built Corkscrew Coaster, which opened in 1986 as the country’s only looping coaster; Gold Rush, a mine-train-style ride designed and built in-house by Rainbow’s End engineers in 1995; and Choco Express, a family-friendly SBF Visa Group coaster added to the Kidz Kingdom area in 2012. Alongside flat rides like the Invader and Stratosfear, Rainbow’s End has become New Zealand’s benchmark theme-park destination.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand
- Operator: Rainbow’s End Theme Park Limited (Rangatira Limited)
- Opened: December 1982
- Size: 9.3 hectares (23 acres)
- Attractions: 21 total, including 2 water rides
- Signature Ride: Corkscrew Coaster (Arrow Dynamics, 1986)
The Ride Experience
The Corkscrew Coaster has been the park’s headline thrill ride since 1986, standing over 90 feet (27 m) tall and sending riders through a vertical loop and double corkscrew across three inversions. It remains the only coaster of its kind in New Zealand.
Gold Rush, a custom creation of Rainbow’s End’s own engineers, opened in 1995 as a mine-train-style family coaster of short drops and sharp corners, while Choco Express, a steel twin-helix family coaster built by Italy’s SBF Visa Group, opened on Boxing Day 2012 as the centerpiece of the park’s new Kidz Kingdom area for younger riders.
Growing Through the Decades
Rainbow’s End has steadily reinvented itself since 1982, retiring early attractions like the Dragon’s Flight coaster (1997-2012) and the original Pirate Ship (replaced in 2025 by a new Huss Pirate Ship called Pacifica) while adding rides such as the Invader, Stratosfear and the Spectra theatre experience.
A 2010 lease extension with Manukau City Council committed the park to reinvesting $3 million every three years into new rides and upgrades, a pledge reflected in the park’s steady stream of new attractions through the 2010s and 2020s.
Explore more: Explore more theme parks.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Rapids, log flumes and splash zones without the rice-bag aftermath. The touchscreen still works through the window, so you can still take photos.
Rainbow’s End FAQs
What roller coasters does Rainbow’s End have?
Rainbow’s End operates three coasters: the looping Corkscrew Coaster (1986), the custom-built Gold Rush (1995), and the family-friendly Choco Express (2012) in Kidz Kingdom.
When did Rainbow’s End open?
The park opened in December 1982 on the site of a former skate park in Manukau, Auckland.
Is Rainbow’s End New Zealand’s biggest theme park?
Yes, Rainbow’s End is described as New Zealand’s largest theme park, covering 9.3 hectares with 21 attractions.
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Photo: Smaugboy14 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.