Leyland Brothers World
Leyland Brothers World was an Australian theme park at North Arm Cove on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
| Owner | Leyland brothers |
|---|---|
| Opened | November 1990 |
| Closed | 1992 |
| Visitors per annum | 400,000 (1992) |
| Area | 40 ha (99 acres) |
| Status | Closed |
History
In November 1990 Leyland Brothers World was opened by the Leyland brothers on a 40-hectare property on the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.[1] It included a 1/40 scale replica of Ayers Rock, as well as amusement rides, playground, roadhouse, museum, a 1.8 610mm gauge circular railway and a 144 capacity bush camp.[2][3]
In a 1997 article in the Sunday Age, Mike Leyland said that the initial $1 million loan blew out due to rain during construction and a 27% interest rate.[4] In July 1992, BDO Nelson was appointed receiver and manager of the park after the Leyland brothers failed to meet its loan commitment to the Commonwealth Bank.[1] Auctioneers Colliers Jardine estimated the annual attendance of the park to be about 400,000 people, with 10,000 students for the bush camp.[5]
The theme park was sold by the receiver for $800,000 in November 1992 and continues to trade successfully as the Great Aussie Bushcamp.[1][6] The Ayers Rock replica was destroyed by fire on 31 July 2018.[7]
References
- $800,000 Leyland Sale Australian Financial Review 8 December 1992 page 33
- Leyland Bros Go West Business Review Weekly 24 July 1992 page 12
- Leyland Brothers World Tourist Railway Light Railways issue 123 January 1994 pages 19-21
- How The Leyland Brothers Lost Their Way Sunday Age 27 July 1997
- Theme Park for Auction Australian Financial Review 19 October 1992 page 44
- Home The Great Aussie Bushcamp
- Fake Uluru at The Rock Roadhouse near Newcastle destroyed by fire ABC News 31 July 2018