Funfields

Funfields
Slogan "Melbourne's Premier Themepark"
Location Whittlesea, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates 37°31′15″S 145°06′47″E / 37.520806°S 145.113087°E / -37.520806; 145.113087Coordinates: 37°31′15″S 145°06′47″E / 37.520806°S 145.113087°E / -37.520806; 145.113087
General Manager John Verga
Opened 1985 (1985)
Previous names Alpine Toboggan Park
Operating season September through April
(primarily during Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays)
Visitors per annum 170,000 (2016/2017 season)[1]
Area 15.7 hectares (39 acres)
Rides
Total 21
Water rides 8
Website www.funfields.com.au
Funfields park entrance

Funfields is a 15.7-hectare (39-acre) theme park located in the suburban fringe town of Whittlesea, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Melbourne, Australia. Opened in 1985, originally as the Alpine Toboggan Park, it has over the years evolved into a multifaceted theme park encompassing a wide variety of wet and dry attractions, and is one of four major theme parks in Victoria. Due to Melbourne's climate and the water related nature of several of its attractions, the park closes during the colder winter months. Its newest attractions, the Gravity Wave water slide and the Voodoo pendulum ride, both opened in October 2017. A new wave pool, food outlet and amenities block, named "Volcano Beach" is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in December 2018.

History

The park first opened in 1985 under the 'Alpine Toboggan Park' name, featuring what is now known as the Alpine toboggan slide, a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) toboggan ride with a stainless steel track, ridden on with plastic sleds.[2] The park remained fairly static over the next 20 years, only adding 2 in-ground waterslides, a mini golf course and a go-kart track. In 2005, the park was rebranded as Funfields, and has since been steadily improved through upgrades of the park grounds, new park amenities and the construction of new waterslides and amusement rides. The park currently (as of 2017), has a visitor capacity of 4600, 1150 formal and informal car park spaces, and employs 180 full and part-time staff during peak operating periods.[3]

Park timeline

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
  • 1985: The park first opens as the 'Alpine Toboggan Park' with the toboggan ride as its primary attraction.
  • 1987: The park was purchased by current park manager John Verga.[4]
  • 2004: Tiki Bay (formerly 'Bumpa Boats') opened.
  • 2005: Park rebranded as 'Funfields'
  • 2009: Blackout waterslide opened. Blackbeard's Fury also opened, after being re-located from Sea World.
  • 2010: Wipeout waterslide opened.
  • 2011: Aqua Shak and Wacky Waters children's water play area and playground opened.
  • 2012: Burnout opens, formerly the "Stingray" ride from Dreamworld, having been re-themed during re-location.
  • 2013: The worlds longest (137 m) ProSlide Cannonbowl waterslide named 'Typhoon' opened. The Snakes Alive teacup style ride also opened.
  • 2015: The four-lane ProSlide 'Kraken Racer' waterslide opened, along with a new walkway linking the Kraken with the Go Kart and the Toboggan Ride entrances. A new 350m2 picnic shelter was constructed, as well as new theming for the Blackbeards Fury and Treasure Cove Mini Golf attractions. Two new kids rides, the Berry Ferris Wheel and the Samba Balloon are opened. New Funfields logo and branding introduced.
  • 2016: New Birdy Cove water play area for toddlers, new VIP cabana huts, new 'Refresh" ice cream parlour, new toilet block and extra storage lockers. New and improved Formula Fun ride also opened.
  • 2017: Gravity Wave, a 186 m long, 27 m tall ProSlide Wave and Voodoo, a 16-seat Zamperla Discovery Revolution, both opened.
  • 2018: Stage 1 of Volcano Bay, a new Heated wave pool with associated food outlet and amenities block, is under construction and scheduled to open in December. Stage 2 will follow thereafter and will feature a cafe and function space.

List of attractions

Water Rides

Funfields has 10 water rides and attractions, including six water slides, the largest amount in Victoria.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Name Picture Opened Manufacturer Description
Aqua Shak 2011 Wizard Works A multi-level children's water playground, consisting of waterslides and a giant water tipping bucket, unleashing 2000 litres of water every time it fills up.
Birdy Cove 2016 Unknown A water playground for toddlers featuring small waterslides and a paddle pool.
Blackout 2009 Australian Waterslides and Leisure A 120m long fully enclosed tube slide. Pitch black darkness is experienced whilst riding. 1 or 2 riders per tube.
Gravity Wave 2017 ProSlide A 186m long, 26.8m tall partially enclosed raft slide. Featuring a double corkscrew followed by a large drop onto the 'wave'. The slide is the tallest, longest and biggest of its type in the world. 2, 3 or 4 riders per raft.
Kraken Racer 2015 ProSlide A 113m long, 4 lane semi-enclosed racing slide. Riding by laying on mats, speeds of over 60 km/h are possible. The only one of its type in Australia and the longest of its type in the world. Slide times are also recorded and displayed via overhead screens. 1 rider per mat.
Splashdown Circa 1990s Unknown The first waterslides to be built at Funfields. Two near-identical 65m in-ground waterslides, where you sit on mats while you slide down until you hit the splash pool. Typically 1 rider per mat (small children can ride with an adult on one mat).
Tiki Bay 2004 Unknown Several bumper boats in their own dedicated pool. The boats feature water pistols to enable you to soak other riders. Was formerly named 'Bumpa Boats'.
Typhoon 2013 ProSlide A 137m long Cannonbowl waterslide, the longest of its type in the world, featuring a 19-metre drop, reaching speeds in excess of 30 km/h. 1 or 2 riders per tube.
Wacky Waters 2011 Wizard Works A children's paddling pool and water play area, directly adajcent to the Aqua Shak, features several water related activities for children including water jets and super soaker turrets.
Wipeout 2010 Australian Waterslides and Leisure A 130m long translucent, fully enclosed tube slide with a large sudden drop at the finish. 1 or 2 riders per tube.

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Parkz. "Great Alpine Toboggan Slide (Funfields)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Shapiro, Paul (2017-11-23). "Mistake put Funfields water park in breach of permit for 33 years". Whittlesea Leader. Retrieved 2017-12-30.

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