The New Atlantis: When you can tackle Sea World’s new thrill rides

Get the first look at all three of Sea World’s brand new thrill rides, set to take the Coast by storm. SEE THE VIDEO.

UPDATE: SEA World’s $50 million new precinct the New Atlantis will include one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the world – and the first to include backward facing seats.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks expect the 32-metre high Leviathan will become an icon of the Gold Coast when it opens to thrill seekers in December next year.

Guests will ascend the Leviathan before careening down the lengthy track, over tight crests and curves, hitting 80kmh.

Only two seats will face backwards, so visitors chasing an extra shot of adrenaline will have to get in quick

The roller coaster’s opening will follow the launch of the Vortex this December.

The first attraction to open at the New Atlantis, the Vortex will see guests board an 18-metre tall pendulum ride swinging over a pool of water, reminiscent of the old Wipeout ride at Dreamworld.

Part of the The New Atlantis site at Sea World on the Gold Coast.

The third and final ride - the Trident is due to open in April, 2020.

The Trident will soar 52 metres off the ground, spinning guests at 38kmh high above the new precinct.

Its visual design will reflect its name, resembling a three-pronged spear.

Village Roadshow chief executive Clark Kirby said The New Atlantis would dive into the “myths and adventures” around the fabled island which sunk into the Atlantic Ocean.

In particular, the Leviathan will include hanging gardens and waterfalls to “really create an immersive, beautiful experience”.

Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby at Sea World. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“Where we came up with these ideas – and a lot of what we try to do at Village Roadshow Theme Parks – is not just sit in our office and think up with crazy ideas,” Mr Kirby said.

“This really was a collaborative effort, we went out there and tested with the market to really make sure it resonated.”

Asked about safety Mr Kirby said the rides would be “brand new” and “cutting edge”, adding “(safety) is the forefront of everything we do”.

TRANSFORMATION OF THE SPIT TO DRAW MORE DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS

INITIAL: VILLAGE Roadshow will build a new $50 million Gold Coast theme park with three cutting-edge thrill rides at Sea World in a game-changing 18-month redevelopment plan.

The centrepiece of the 1.5 hectare addition to its Main Beach site will be a one kilometre wooden roller coaster – with a pair of backwards seats – that travels at 80km per hour.

Village will roll out the first of the rides – an 18-metre giant pendulum swing similar to Dreamworld’s recently retired Wipeout attraction – by December.

It will be followed by a 52-metre high ride that spins guests at 36km per hour high above The Spit in April, 2020. The new roller coaster will be operational by December, 2020.

They are the key features of what Village Roadshow is calling The New Atlantis, a “utopian precinct”.

It will also promote Sea World’s extensive marine conservation work.

Sea Word New Atlantis.

The new roller coaster will be 1km long and travel at 80km per hour

Village Roadshow Theme Parks CEO Clark Kirby, speaking exclusively to the Bulletin, said the investment had been two years in the planning and would revitalise one of the country’s favourite theme parks.

Mr Kirby, who will officially unveil the development this morning alongside Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk at Sea World, said: “The New Atlantis will be a game-changer for Sea World and become a destination in its own right where our guests can experience the myths, mysteries, quests and challenges located within this new multimillion-dollar utopian precinct.

“The New Atlantis has been designed as a fully immersive precinct with the rides complimented by sleek, eye-catching and architecturally aesthetic theming including waterfalls, fountains, statues and hanging gardens to take guests on the ultimate Atlantean adventure.”

It is Village Roadshow’s first big outlay since it launched Movie World’s new $30m DC Rivals HyperCoaster in Oxenford, the longest and fastest in the southern hemisphere.

The new Vortex ridewill be an 18-metre high pendulum swing, goes 30km per hour with 3.5 G-Forces.

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Mr Kirby said it had been encouraging to see Queensland’s Government investment in The Spit Masterplan which was key for Village to green light The New Atlantis.

“We pushed the button on this because The Spit masterplanning – which we are actively involved with and working with Government on – was one of the catalysts.

“Sea World is a beloved property here on the Gold Coast and across Australia.

“But there was some ageing infrastructure that needed to be reborn. What we have come up with is true to what Sea World is all about – in terms of conservation, having fun and something really dramatic that will stand the test of time.”

The new wooden coaster had a life span of 100 years and Mr Kirby said extra additions to the precinct would also be revealed when under construction.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

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Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa said The New Atlantis would be visible from Southport’s Broadwater and become a skyline icon.

“I can see every promotion of the Gold Coast which features the Q1 tower now also featuring this. What we have here is world-class,” Mr Randhawa said.

The New Atlantis will also draw more attention to Village Roadshow’s conservation work carried out by the Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation.

It will feature an amphitheatre for shows, presentations and activities to educate guests on how they can help protect and conserve the ocean environment.

Mr Kirby said it was time Village made a bigger deal of the marine conservation work which includes rescues of 60 sea turtles and relocation of a humpback whale.

The foundation has also donated millions towards marine vertebrate research.

Sea World staff are also on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year for marine animal rescues.

Movie World will host cartoon characters Tom and Jerry from September.

MOVIE WORLD ANNOUNCES HYPERCOASTER SKY HIGH CLIMB

On top of its Sea World revamp, Village Roadshow will also boost blockbuster theming at Movie World later this year.

In November, Warner Bros. Movie World will host set pieces, props and costumes from big-budget films The Great Gatsby, Mad Max, Wonder Woman, Shazam and Suicide Squad.

Cat and mouse duo Tom and Jerry will also be added to Movie World’s life-size character line-up from September.

Gold Coast leaders across council, tourism and business have been crying out for new attractions to reinvigorate the city tourism profile since last year.

Mr Kirby said Village Roadshow were happy to oblige with its megabucks Sea World investment.

“We can see there is so much potential for the Gold Coast and it is wonderful to have such strong leaders at all levels of tourism,” he said.

“Destination Gold Coast is doing a fantastic job of promoting the Gold Coast and we are giving them further tools to do their job.

“The Gold Coast is world-class now with incredible restaurants, incredible shopping while beaches and theme parks are still synonymous with the Gold Coast and that is what drives tourism.”