Last weekend, in the midst of moving and packing, we attended my company’s Christmas party which was held in Luna Park Sydney . One of the more popular amusement parks in Sydney, I had always seen it brightly lit up at night but had never had the chance to visit. It was the perfect timing! We reached at around 5pm on Sunday, and the park was filled with many happy faces especially kids. The first thing to do, as with most first-timers there, was to take picture with the creepy laughing face at the entrance of Luna Park. I know it’s supposed to be a happy face but I always found it to be sort of creepy, do you think so too?
The Luna Park Face – Old King Cole
Ticket booth
Tickets were sold according to a child’s height, ranging from $24.95 to $44.95 for adults. Honestly, I think it’s a little expensive considering the size of the park that was rather small. Thankfully our tickets were paid for, so we moved on and looked for our first ride!
Ferris Wheel
Colourful Ferris Wheel booths
One of the rides that I absolutely had to take was the Ferris Wheel, simply because it always looked so grand and colourful from outside. The queue was quite long and we had to wait for more than half an hour before it was our turn. The view from the top was pretty amazing – we could see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and also the whole of Luna Park.
Us in the Ferris Wheel
Harbour Bridge and Opera House
Luna Park from the top
Luna Park
Boats and yachts docked by the harbour
After the ride, we took a walk around the park and I managed to capture some of the more exciting rides that I saw. The Tumble Bug started by spinning everyone horizontally at first, and gradually increased on one side until it was spinning vertically for quite some time. I felt dizzy just by looking at the ride spinning.
Tumble Bug
The Tango Train was a relatively short train that goes around in circles but with a bumpy surface that goes up and down like waves.
Tango Train
Colourful walkway of Luna Park
Apart from the rides, there was also the usual pay-per-throw games where you either throw something into a specific hole or shoot some targets and get prizes in return.
Laughing Clowns
Saucer initially wanted to try the Bumper Car and was in the queue for it. But after watching the first couple of rides before him, he decided not to proceed – because no one was bumping cars! Everyone seemed so civilized and gentle that they were just driving the cars in rounds and in one orderly direction instead of bumping into each other as it’s supposed to. Where’s the fun in that?
Bumper cars not bumping
There was a huge building named Coney Island Funny Land at the end of the park and we went in to have a look. Inside, it was really a funhouse, where visitors are encouraged to interact with various devices designed to amuse, surprise or challenge the visitors. There were things like rotating barrels, moving platforms, large slides, and arcade games just to name a few. The first thing that greeted us was the huge slide near the entrance, called the Devil’s Drop. One is supposed to grab a mat and slide down the slide in it. I didn’t do it because age is catching on me. 
Coney Island Funny Land
Devil’s Drop
Inside Coney Island
Funny mirror
There was also a mini roller-coasted called Wild Mouse just next to the Coney Island, but we didn’t ride that because we had just had our dinner and didn’t want to risk upsetting our stomach. The rest of the park was mostly restaurants, souvenir shops and the Big Top, which is the venue where my company party was held. I don’t know about you but something about ice-creams and theme parks always come together. We couldn’t resist ourselves from getting an ice-cream even though we’re pretty full from dinner, simply because it seemed like the perfect mood and setting for one!
Heading out of Luna Park
Saucer with his ice-cream
Double scoop – Mint chocolate chip and Chocolate ice-cream
Carousel
Just before we left, we were distracted by one of the guys manning the entrance to the Rotor ride. We were not sure what the ride was about, but the guy encouraged us to go and have a look. It was essentially a large upright barrel where everyone was required to stand leaning their backs against the wall. The barrel would then gradually spin from a low to a high speed of 33rpm, at which point the centrifugal force was around 3g and the riders would be stuck to the wall. The floors would then be retracted and it would seem as if they’re just leaning on the wall with their feet in the air! Pretty cool really, but it did make you dizzy. I was up at the observation deck looking at Saucer and he seemed to have fun. One guy even lifted his legs up and it seemed like he was lying against the wall in a horizontal position.
Spot Saucer spinning!
At the end of the ride, to regain stability
At the end of the ride, the barrel gradually slowed down and the floor was raised back up while everyone slowly slid down from the wall. They were then asked to hold the bar in the centre of the barrel to regain their stability after being spun around. Saucer came out looking sick but he said he enjoyed it. 
Overall we had a fun time at Luna Park even though we were only there for about 3 hours. The park was small but it was still interesting for first-timers.
Good bye Luna Park!
Getting there: By train – Milsons Point railway station. By ferry – Milsons Point Ferry Wharf. By car – Luna Park car park via Paul Street ($7/hour, max $32/day)
Luna Park Sydney
Milsons Point
Contact No.: (02) 9922 6644
Website: www.lunaparksydney.com
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