Rivertown (Dreamworld)

Rivertown
Location	Dreamworld
Coordinates	27°51′48″S 153°19′02″E / 27.863294°S 153.317267°ECoordinates: 27°51′48″S 153°19′02″E / 27.863294°S 153.317267°E
Opening date	15 December 1981
Theme	River town
Attractions
Attractions	3 total
Roller coasters	2

Rivertown is a themed land at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It currently provides a link between Main Street and Wiggles World.^[1]

History

Rivertown opened with the park in 1981.^[2] The area originally was home to the Avis Vintage Cars which have since been relocated to the Australian Wildlife Experience. The Avis Vintage Cars were located where Mick Doohan's Motocoaster currently exists.^[1][3] At opening the area was home to the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (John Longhurst's signature attraction) and the Avis Vintage Cars.^[2] In 2012, the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler ceased operations.

Attractions

Mick Doohan's Motocoaster

Tower of Terror II

Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler

The Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler is a standing but not operating paddle wheeler. When it was operating, it was a gentle boat ride along the man-made Murrissipi River. The ride is of a similar style to the Mark Twain Riverboat at several Disney theme parks around the world. The ride opened with the park in 1981.^[4] The channel which the boat tours is called the Murrissipi River and took Dreamworld founder, John Longhurst, two years to construct working seven 12-hour days a week.^[2] The ride originally featured a bush show themed to the era of Ned Kelly. This was discontinued when Farmyard Friends was constructed during 2005.^[4]

Mick Doohan's Motocoaster

Mick Doohan's Motocoaster is an Intamin Motorbike Launch Roller Coaster named after the Moto GP champion Michael Doohan.^[5] Although being classified as one of Dreamworld's Big 8 Thrill Rides,^[6] the ride failed to gain support within its first year of operation.^[7]

Tower of Terror II

Tower of Terror II is a steel shuttle roller coaster which is ranked the fourth fastest roller coaster in the world. Opening on 23 January 1997, the ride held the world's fastest roller coaster record by itself for two months before Superman: The Escape opened which caused the ride to share the top spot.^[8] Tower of Terror II is also the first roller coaster in the world to achieve a speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).^[9][10] Although the ride is not actually located in any particular themed zone, the main portion of track crosses Rivertown and is therefore included here.

Shopping & Dining

Upon exiting Mick Doohan's Motocoaster guests receive the opportunity to purchase on-ride photos as well as a variety of racing merchandise from Motocoaster Photos and Motocoaster Pit Stop Shop. Across the pathway from the ride guests can purchase food and beverage items at Fast Foods. Similarly, the Tower of Terror Warehouse offers appropriate merchandise for the ride.^[11]

References

1. "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
2. "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
3. "Vintage Cars (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
4. "Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
5. "Mick Doohan's Motocoaster". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
6. "Man Up Landing". Dreamworld. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
7. Wilson, Richard (13 March 2008). "Motocoaster comes in second last in worldwide coaster poll". News Article. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
8. Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Speed)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
9. Marden, Duane. "Tower of Terror  (Dreamworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
10. "Tower of Terror (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
11. Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).