Dreamworld | Dreamworld History

Our History

In 1974, John Longhurst bought 85 hectares of land to build his dream. With a few attractions and a lot of heart, Dreamworld opened to the public on December 15, 1981.

More than 30 years on, Dreamworld has developed immersive visitor experiences through product and customer initiatives tailored for domestic and international guests and developed new and innovative learning experiences for education tourism. Dreamworld provides cutting edge options and incentives for business and conference delegates and has been successful in leveraging national and international brand associations with leading entertainment partners including Big Brother, Dreamworks and The Wiggles.

The Dream of Dreamworld
- The site that Dreamworld now occupies once belonged to John and Sarah Williamson, an English cattle raising family who in 1874 decided to name their house Hollywood Cottage, and thus placing this name on a hardwood beam, which was then placed above their front door.
- Ninety-five years later John Longhurst, on a flight between Hawaii and Japan, envisioned what would later become Dreamworld. Longhurst was a man from a simple background, having begun his work life as a truck operator and mechanic, later being a successful lawn mower manufacture, which then lead to successfully graduating as a builder and boat maker.
Business History

Bruce Jenkins’ Dreamco purchased Dreamworld from its original owner in 1989. Due to Dreamco’s financial trouble in 1990, Ernst & Young, Receivers and Managers were appointed by the Mortgagee, IOOF Friendly Society, to take control. From 1991/92 the new restructure management team, with much hard work managed to refocus its marketing activities. In doing so, Dreamworld managed to increase visitors to the park by 51%, which are now around 1.8 million per year.

Even though Dreamworld was in receivership, as a non-aligned, independent theme park, they invested over $40 million on marketing and capital throughout the park, within the five years from 1991/92. In 1994, Dreamworld successfully ended its liquidation under a Scheme of Arrangements coordinated by Ernst & Young.

In 1995 the Park was sold to Singaporean Businessman and investor Mr Kua Phek Long. The Foreign Investment Review Board granted final approval for the acquisition in 1996. In the first year of ownership, Mr Kua invested a further $20 million dollars upgrading as well as expanding the park.

In 1999, Dreamworld was acquired by Macquarie Leisure Trust, which is managed by Macquarie Leisure Operations Ltd, a subsidiary of Macquarie bank. The trust has 7000 shareholders. (SSX code: MEL). On 31 August 2009, Macquarie Leisure was renamed Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD). Ardent Leisure Group is no longer managed by the Macquarie Group.

On 15 December 2023, Ardent Leisure was re-branded to Coast Entertainment.

Our Timeline

1974	Developer John Longhurst purchased 85 hectares of land at Coomera, and begins developing his dream, using 30 hectares.
1981	On 15 December 1981, Dreamworld was officially opened and dedicated by then Premier of Queensland Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson. Initially the park was open from Tuesday to Thursday 10am - 5pm, with around 220 employees. Opening attractions and rides: Main Street - Imax Theatre Central Station - Rocky Hollow City Hall - Log Ride Vintage Cars - Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler Cannon Ball Express (now the Dreamworld Express)
1982	Country Fair opened the world’s longest steel double loop rollercoaster, the Thunderbolt. Gum Tree Gully opened.
1983	Blue Lagoon water park opened. Roulette ride (later known as Stingray) was installed into Dreamworld Belinda Brown, the park’s third character was introduced joining Kenny Koala and Coo-ee the Gumnut Fairy.

1984	Dreamworld commenced seven day trading.
1986	Gold Rush Country opened, featuring the Mine Ride, Log Ride and Rapid River Ride.
1987	Koala Country opened. Koala Country is linked by train and walkways from Rivertown and Rocky Hollow.
1993	Country Fair precinct was renamed to Ocean Parade Wipeout ride opened at a cost of $6 million.
1994	Under a scheme of arrangement Dreamworld trade out of receivership.
1995	Tiger Island opened – one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. Tiger Island provides a safe haven for its Bengal tigers to live, swim and play with each other and their handlers. Riverwalk Restaurant opened. Located on the southern banks of the Murrissippi (refurbished and renamed Billabong BBQ and Buffet in 2002). Cougar cubs Inca and Sierra arrive at Dreamworld from NSW.
1996	Dreamworld acquired by Singaporean businessman, Mr. P L Kua.
1997	Tower of Terror opened. The equivalent of three football field across the Park, the Tower rises 38 storeys (118 meters vertically). Riders travel at speeds of up to 160 km/hour and experience 6.5 seconds of weightlessness before free-falling backwards. Dreamworld commenced the wildlife education programs, “Wildlife for Kids”.
1998	Leisure Wide Property Trust purchased Dreamworld from Mr Kua. Giant Drop launched on the Tower of Terror structure. Moscow Circus Xmas attraction at Dreamworld 4 tiger cubs “Awesome Pawsome” born at Dreamworld to Mohan and Samara (Sita, Sultan, Taj and Rama)
1999	Macquarie Leisure Trust takes over Dreamworld from Leisure Wide Property Trust
2000	Kennyland precinct opened in Village Oval precinct.
2001	Cyclone rollercoaster opened in Dreamworld. This ride was purchased from Luna Park Sydney due to noise complaints and relocated in pieces. Tiger Kato transferred to Dreamworld from Sydney
2002	Bushranger show ceased production. Kennyland closed for construction of Nick Central.
2003	Lara Croft Tomb Raider walk through scare maze opened. After 22 years services, Thunderbolt Rollercoaster retired and demolished Tiger Raja arrived at Dreamworld from Germany
2004	The Claw opened in Ocean Parade. Nickelodeon partnership and Nick Central opened
2005	Gum Tree Gully was transformed into Wiggles World precinct. Skylink Chair Lift retired from service. Xtremeworld Xmas attraction at Dreamworld
2006	Blue Lagoon waterpark closed. WhiteWater World opened Mine Ride was retired in Gold Rush Flowrider opened in Dreamworld
2007	Vintage Cars was relocated to make way for new Motocoaster thrill ride launched with Mick Doohan as naming partner. Pirates of the Pacific Xmas attraction at Dreamworld Tiger Rahni was born as off-spring of Soraya and Raja.
2008	V8 simulator attraction opened using Bathurst track. Kite Flyer kids ride installed in Nickelodeon Central. 3 tiger cubs born at Dreamworld to Raja and Rahni (Jaya, Ndari and Shanti) Tiger cub Sali arrived at Dreamworld from Perth Zoo
2009	Ardent Leisure Limited take over from Macquarie Leisure Trust. Stingray ride retired from Ocean Parade. Ardent Leisure acquires Q1 Observation Deck (now known as Skypoint Observation Deck) Vortex ride (Gravitron) decommissioned and demolished for new attraction (AVPX) AVPX laser tag opens in Dreamworld
2010	The Wedgie launched in WhiteWater World. Little Rippers bowl slide launched in WhiteWater World. Tower of Terror II launched in Dreamworld.
2011	The White Lion Lair launched in Dreamworld next to Tiger Island. Buzzsaw thrill ride launched in Gold Rush precinct.
2012	Captain Sturt paddle steamer retired from operation. Stingray ride (Roulette) was decommissioned and demolished. .Stage 1 of Dreamworks launched, including Madagascar and Shrek. Stage 2 of Dreamworks launched, including Kung Fu Panda – Land of Awesomeness Pandamonium thrill ride launched as part of Kung Fu Panda precinct. Avalanche Mountain demolished for new Pandamonium ride. Tiger cubs Baru and Ravi arrive at Dreamworld from Sydney
2013	Baldwin and Perry locomotives retired from operation AVPX laser tag closes for retheming to Kevil Hill theme. Dreamworld Corroboree precinct launched.

2014	Reef Diver ride decommissioned and demolished for new ride (TailSpin) TailSpin ride launched. Green Bean Coffee Shop opens Dough Bros pizzeria opened in Central Café Sandwich Bar opened in Central Café courtyard Triple Vortex opened in WhiteWater World
2015	ABC KIDS WORLD opens Motorsports Experience opens containing: Brock’s Garage Hot Wheels SideWinder Grid Burger & Sports bar New V8 Supercar Redline Simulators Tiger Cub Kai born July Tiger Cubs Akasha and Adira born November
2016	Presto’s Café at Kai Kai launches at Corroboree Renovated Tiger Island reopens September with designs by Jamie Durie Dreamworld celebrates 35 years on 15 December
2017	Australia's flagship LEGO Certified Store opens 28 January at Dreamworld Tiger Island Up Close Experience opens at Tiger Island
2018	Tiger Cubs Melati and Mya are born to Dreamworld's Nika on 24 January DreamWorks Trolls Village opens on 30 June
2019	Tiger Cubs Zakari and Javi are born to Dreamworld's Adira and Pi on 26 April Tiger Cub Khan is born to Dreamworld's Nika and Raja on 26 May Dreamworld holds its first annual Winterfest activation in the winter school holidays The Southern Hemisphere's first flying theatre, Sky Voyager opened on 23 August Dreamworld holds its first annual Happy Halloween event in October Fully 6 water slides opened at WhiteWater World on 21 December
2020	Dreamworld closes from 23 March - 15 September as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Dreamworld holds a Monster Trucks activation in the summer school holidays Dreamworld holds a Bluey Live Interactive Experience in the summer school holidays
2021	Dreamworld holds a LEGO Brickman Wonders of the World Exhibit during the Easter school holidays Dreamworld seasonally re-opens the area previously known as Trolls Village for Winterfest, titled Winterville Dreamworld holds its first annual Spring County Fair activation in the September school holidays Dreamworld celebrates 40 years on 15 December Steel Taipan, a $32mil triple-launch rollercoaster opens on 15 December featuring the world's first 360-degree spinning rear seat
2022	The Wiggles perform live at Dreamworld on 12 January (and again on 9 December!) Dreamworld launches its first annual Street Food Festival activation during the Easter school holidays Dreamworld Night Market opens in Dreamworld's Main Street on 10 June
2023	The Wiggles Big Red Planes ride opens in the new Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland area on 21 June Seabed Splash opens in the refurbished Ocean Parade on 15 September Dreamworld holds a 40 Day Giveaway promotion and gives away $100k worth of prizing on 8 October The Wiggles perform live at Dreamworld on 8 December The Dreamworld Flyer opens on 15 December Ardent Leisure is re-branded to Coast Entertainment on 15 December

Our Awards

2018	Trip Advisor Winner Certificate of Excellence Trip Advisor Hall of Fame
2017	Trip Advisor Winner Certificate of Excellence
2016	Trip Advisor Winner Certificate of Excellence
2015	Trip Advisor Winner Certificate of Excellence - Best Amusement Park - South Pacific
2014	2014 Qld Premiers Award for Reconciliation 2014 Major Tourist Attraction Winner – Queensland Tourism Awards
2013	2013 Major Tourist Attraction Winner – Queensland Tourism Awards
2012	2112 New Business Development Winner – Skypoint Climb – Queensland Tourism Awards
2008	2008 Major Tourist Attraction Finalist – WhiteWater World – Queensland Tourism Awards
2007	2007 Meetings & Business Tourism Finalist – Dreamworld – Queensland Tourism Awards 2007 The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing Finalist – Dreamworld – Queensland Tourism Awards 2007 New Tourism Development Finalist – WhiteWater World – Queensland Tourism Awards
2006	2006 Hall of Fame Inductee – Dreamworld – Queensland Tourism Awards 2006 Major Tourist Attraction Winner – Queensland Tourism Awards 2006 Meetings & Business Tourism Winner – Dreamworld – Queensland Tourism Awards 2006 New Tourism Development Finalist – Wiggles World Dreamworld – Queensland Tourism Awards
2005	2005 Tourism Product Marketing, Hall of Fame – Queensland Tourism Awards
	Product Excellence Award – Best Attraction Category – Australian Tourism Export Council
	Brass Ring Awards – Best theme park brochure – IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions)
	Best Media Campaign 500k+ So Many Worlds in One – Cream Awards Brisbane
	Winner – Innovation – So Many Worlds in One, Australian Marketing Institute State Awards Winner – Branding – So Many Worlds in One, Australian Marketing Institute State Awards Winner – Marketing Communications – So Many Worlds in One, Australian Marketing Institute State Awards
2004	2004 Major Tourist Attraction winner – Queensland Tourism Awards 2004 Tourism Hospitality and Recreation Award – Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards
2003	Product Excellence Award – Attraction Category – Australian Tourism Export Council
2002	Tourism Product Marketing – winner Queensland Tourism Awards Meetings and Events Industry (MIAA) National Award (Best Speciality Venue category) winner and inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame (awarded in 03/04)
2001	Meetings and Events Industry (MIAA) National Award (Best Speciality Venue category) winner
2000	Major Tourist Attraction winner – Queensland Tourism Awards Meetings and Events Industry (MIAA) National Award (Best Speciality Venue category) winner
1999	Major Tourist Attraction winner – Brisbane Tourism Awards Meetings and Events Industry (MIAA) National Award (Best Speciality Venue category) winner
1998	Major Tourist Attraction winner – Brisbane Tourism Awards Customer service Development Award – Tourism Training Queensland – Gold Coast Region Theme Park category winner – Gold Coast City Garden Competition Meetings and Events Industry (MIAA) National Award (Best Speciality Venue category) winner
1997	Customer service Development Award – Tourism Training Queensland – Gold Coast Region “Ancillary” Category winner – Gold Coast city Garden Competition
	Awarded by Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture, Queensland Group for Excellence in Landscape Architecture – Open Space & Recreational Design, Tiger Island Development
1996	Best Specialty Venue Without Accommodation – Meetings Industry Association of Australia Award Tourism Marketing & Promotion Award – Queensland Tourism Awards
1995	Best Specialty Venue Without Accommodation – Meetings Industry Association of Australia Award Tourism Marketing & Promotion Award – Queensland Tourism Awards
1993	Best Specialty Venue Without Accommodation – Meetings Industry Association of Australia Award
1992	Major Tourist Attraction – Queensland Tourism Awards
1987	Number One Tourist Attraction – Australian Tourism Awards