Underwood Bunnings store converted into country’s largest indoor family entertainment centre

A children’s paradise is coming to SEQ. See the first glimpses inside Australia’s largest indoor fun parlour, a converted Bunnings store, which will include a skating rink, a 3D ski simulator and a VR room. WATCH THE VIDEO

A former Bunnings store is being transformed into Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre, which will include a synthetic ice-skating rink, a ski slope, a VR room and an aircoaster.

The 10,000 sqm ex-Bunnings warehouse on Kingston Rd at Underwood, will open as an indoor fun centre in June, after Covid delays postponed the original Easter opening.

Landlord Kassim Investments director Abdul Sacur said the massive 29,320 sqm site, vacant since 2018, would also be used as a gym and Asian night markets.

The former Bunnings site at Underwood has been transformed into a major entertainment centre.

Four Seasons Indoor Play Centre designed the entertainment precinct, called Area 51, to cater for family entertainment.

Area 51 took its name from its street address and from the highly classified US Air Force base in Nevada.

The multimillion-dollar venture will use the latest technology from Germany, Sweden, Japan, and the US with three-dimensional VR video games, simulators, state-of-the art climbing walls, trampolines, slides, an archery field, badminton and basketball courts.

ZOOM ... try your hand at the aircoaster which races around the complex overhead.

The concept was the brainchild of Sunnybank entrepreneur and restaurant owner Jason Wang, who wanted to get his son off his VR machines at home and outdoors for exercise.

“This is going to be a paradise for kids of all ages,” Mr Wang said.

“They will be able to come here and play the latest VR games and use the latest technology and equipment — nothing will be old-style.”

There’s nothing conventional at this fun house, which includes a round slippery slide.

One of the latest will be an aircoaster. Kids are buckled into a seat that rushes around the top level of the building like a chair-o-plane.

A daring rope adventure playground hangs high above the floor with kids strapped in to leap through the air on planks and even ride a bicycle on the highwire.

Try your hand at the tightrope and walk the high wire.

A boulder climbing wall has a maximum height of 4m and is designed to cater for all ages from kids to advanced.

It includes overhangs, which makes it interesting for adults and advanced climbers, but there are also sections for kids.

A sensory room for children with special needs has soft-coloured lighting for kids to explore different patterns in a safe and calm environment.

The centre also has three-D games including an alien invasion, where players put on VR goggles to meet their opponents.

A former Bunnings store is being transformed into Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre, which will include a synthetic ice-skating rink, a ski slope, a VR room and an aircoaster.

Along with a multi-level soft playground, ninja course, climbing arena, high ropes, trampolines, aircoaster, sensory room, multi-sports court and 10 party rooms, the complex will eventually house a 734 sqm skate rink.

There is also a 300-seat modern cafe, complete with a kids’ menu, overlooking a toddler zone.

Mr Wang said Covid restrictions had held up millions of dollars of equipment for the skating rink at ports and it would not be ready in June.

A top-notch $1.2 million airconditioning system was installed this week in preparation and to keep the playground and skate rink cool all year round.

Along with the entertainment park, the venue will also offer learning classes and has applied for an after-school licence to run homework programs.

Colourful murals and paintings make the site a funky fun parlour for people of all ages.

“Parents who can’t pick their kids up from school at 3pm can send their kids here and we will take care of them, make sure they do their homework and then they can exhaust themselves in the entertainment area,” Mr Wang said.

“They can have dinner at the restaurant, which is going to only use the best quality meats and produce and will include healthy meals.

“My kids will probably be eating there every night,” he said.

Area 51 will also be home to an Asian Night Market which will be open every night.

A former Bunnings store is being transformed into Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre, which will include a synthetic ice-skating rink, a ski slope, a VR room and an aircoaster.

Mr Wang said he dreamed up the idea speaking to his Asian friends in Sunnybank who have complained there was nowhere for them to go at night.

“I also wanted to help those small businesses who were risk-averse and did not want to sign restrictive leases,” he said.

“I want to set up a communal area for small businesses who don’t want to sign leases, so they can sell their products at the markets every night.”

Area 51 is expected to open from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Sunday.

Originally published as Underwood Bunnings store converted into country’s largest indoor family entertainment centre