Luna Park, Melbourne

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Luna Park Melbourne is a historic amusement park on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda, Melbourne. It opened on 13 December 1912 and has operated almost continuously since then.

The park was built by American showman J. D. Williams and the Phillips brothers after they took over the Dreamland site. It is inspired by early Luna Parks in the United States, and the name may come from those parks. The entrance is famous for the Mr Moon face and towers.

Its best-known attractions include the Scenic Railway, the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the world, and a 1913 carousel that has been restored. Over the years more rides arrived and some older ones were rebuilt or removed. Other notable features from the early days were the River Caves, the Palace of Illusions, and a ghost train from 1934. A major fire in 1981 destroyed the Giggle Palace and led to the demolition of the River Caves.

In the late 1990s and 2000s the park was rebuilt and updated. In 1998 the park’s lease was sold to investment funds, and about $10 million was spent on refurbishments for safety and new rides. In 2005, Lindsay Fox and partners bought Luna Park with plans to restore its glory. Today the park has around 20 attractions, including two roller coasters and modern thrill rides such as Power Surge, Coney Drop, and Spider, along with family-friendly rides.

Luna Park sits on government land near the Palais Theatre and other foreshore sites. Some of its historic features are protected on state heritage lists, including the Mr Moon entrance, the Scenic Railway, and the 1913 carousel. The park celebrated its 100th birthday in 2012 and remains a beloved mix of old charm and new fun.