Theme parks storm fallout – most close to ‘assess damage’

A second major theme park attraction will remain closed after the Christmas Day storm caused “significant damage” while another remains shut indefinitely. But the rest are reopening.

Leading northern Gold Coast theme park attraction Top Golf will remain closed indefinitely after the Christmas Day storm caused “significant”damage”.

Sea World was the city’s sole theme park to open its doors on Boxing Day while the rest remained closed as workers assessed the damage.

Warner Bros Movie World and Wet’n’Wild, both at Oxenford, were scheduled to reopen at 9.30am Wednesday - but only Movie World reopened, with Wet ‘n’ Wild expected to reopen on Thursday.

Damage to Top Golf Gold Coast caused by the Christmas Day storm. Picture: Supplied

Ongoing clean-up work at the neighbouring Paradise Country will keep it closed until Saturday morning.

Village Roadshow confirmed all its animals were safe and would be cared for while the park was closed.

However the company confirmed Top Golf would “remain closed until further notice” because of “ongoing clean-up efforts.”

Village Roadshows spokesman Mitchell Olivey said the team were working through the damages to the attraction to understand how long it would be closed for.

“There’s been extensive damage to the outfield and the netting which is why we’ve got a longer closure.

“It’s not something you can just go down to Bunnings for - it’s all for order but we’re working with Top Golf International,” he said.

A reopening date is yet to be named after the damage Picture: Supplied

Mr Olivey confirmed Paradise Country would reopen on Saturday to give the team the “optimum chance to clean it up and make it safe”.

“It’s an open-air venue so there’s a lot more trees down... the trees and all the roads where they’ve come down,” he said.

Dreamworld reopened on Wednesday morning..

“Only wildlife and Tiger Island remain closed due to guest access interruptions, we hope to have all areas open as soon as possible,” a Dreamworld spokesperson said.

“WhiteWater World remains closed due to an ongoing power outage, the park is ready to open as soon as power is restored, and we look forward to welcoming guests back,” she said.

Up-to-date information is available on the Dreamworld website and Facebook page.

White Water World will remain closed “due to an ongoing power outage”.

“All of our team members and wildlife are safe and we appreciate your support and patience as we prepare the park for your return,” Dreamworld said in a statement.

Water slides at Wet n Wild, Gold Coast. The popular theme park has closed for Boxing Day to assess damage as has Dream World, Movie World, Paradise Country and Top Golf. Sea World has been able to stay open

Originally published as Theme parks storm fallout – most close to ‘assess damage’