Gold Coast Wax Museum: Inside the life of horror days on the job

Tour guide Mark Kent spends around four hours every workday locked in a dungeon. And he loves it. Here's why.

IT may not be his head on the chopping block, but tour guide Mark Kent is no stranger to horror days on the job.

The host of the Chamber of Horrors in Surfers Paradise’s The Wax Museum spends around four hours every workday locked in a dungeon.

The graphic designer embarked on the creepy career change almost three years ago because he wanted to get out of his home office and put his passion for history to good use.

“I’ll take you on a tour and scare the life out of you,” Mr Kent said.

“I love seeing people’s reactions and the look on their face.

“I always get varying responses – some people laugh, scream or ask why the torture devices aren’t around anymore.

Gold Coast Wax Museum tour guide Mark Kent reckons some tourists lose their head in the Chamber of Horrors. Picture Glenn Hampson

“At least one person leaves the tour every day. They just can’t handle it.

“And people faint – it quite literally makes them sick to their stomach.”

The chamber, featuring torture devices and gruesomeness throughout the ages, is pitched as the perfect experience for history buffs and brave kids.

“It includes more than 30 torture devices, history and figurines from World War II, Ned Kelly, the Spanish Inquisition and even concentration camps,” Mr Kent said.

“It is frightening what’s been done to people, but we can’t change history.”

Mr Kent admitted to playing favourites when it came to the chamber’s gruesome relics and residents.

“One of my favourites is definitely the wax figure of Jeremy Bentham,” he said.

Gold Coast Wax Museum tour guide Mark Kent fits right in at the Chamber of Horrors. Picture Glenn Hampson

“His head fell off during a failed embalming and now they keep his body at the University of London.

“The Scottish Maiden is one of my favourite torture devices too.

“It was created in 1564 and is similar to the guillotine but with a lead weight and iron blade.

“It took 150 heads in its time.”

Gold Coast Slingshot: Plans for relocated tourist attraction on Cavill Ave revamped

CONSTRUCTION of the Gold Coast Slingshot in its new location is kicking up a gear.

New documents filed with the Gold Coast City Council show that a planned indoor climbing centre has been abandoned after it was deemed “unsuitable” for the new Cavill Ave site.

Site of the new Slingshot ride. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

It will be replaced by a new building that offers an arcade, souvenir shop and food sales.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

The move from the attraction’s long-time home on Cypress Ave to replace a convenience shop on the lower end of Cavill Ave, near the Westpac Bank was first announced in October 2017.

The site was bought in 2016 in anticipation of the move, which was originally expected to have been completed by late 2018 following the Commonwealth Games.

Tourism bosses welcomed the news, saying new attractions were essential for the industry’s future.