We jumped on Sea World’s new timber roller coaster Leviathan, and here’s the breathless verdict

Thrill-seekers have taken their first ride on Leviathan, Sea World’s new timber roller coaster. Here’s our breathless verdict.

“OH NO. What am I doing?”

It is all I can think sitting in the dragon’s head, the front seat of the Leviathan roller coaster, and staring out at the crisscrossing timber structure.

I pull the front restraint down, hoping and praying it will hold tight.

An animated Leviathan swims on a giant screen overhead, while the attendants do a final check on the restraints.

Artist impression of the Leviathan roller coaster.

We start rolling out from the dark, underwater cave and onto the timber track to start climbing.

Up. Up. Up to the 32-metre peak.

To the right, we look down to wave at those in the line.

When the car nears the top I look out at the view across Sea World and stretching across to Southport.

But before I can appreciate how nice it is – even in gale winds – the track disappears.

And the car drops.

For the next 90 seconds I can barely catch my breath as the car thunders down the track.

Is it the speed? Is it the wind? Or is it the fact I can not stop screaming?

Who knows, because every time I try there is another bend flipping the car sideways, or another stomach-flipping dip.

And, of course, more screaming.

The car feels like it is travelling much faster than the 80km/h top speed we are promised as it roars around the bends.

Picture: Nigel Hallett

And they keep coming. Every dip hides another bend, hides another dip, hides another bend. For 909 metres.

The sound and feeling of racing over the timber tracks is more like sitting in an open-air train carriage than steel. The ride feels sturdier than others.

But even for the roller coaster averse (read: scaredy cat) riders like me, it is an exhilaratingly smooth ride.

It is such a thrill I actually say “let’s do that again” when it was all over.

(And if I did not have to get back to the office, I would have).

Dare I say, that is the mark of a very good roller coaster – that and my very shaky ‘sea legs’ stepping back onto the platform.

And my heart has not stopped thumping since.