Sea World (Australia)
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Sea World is a marine mammal park,
oceanarium An oceanarium can be either a marine mammal park, such as Marineland of Canada, or a large-scale Public aquarium, aquarium, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium, presenting an ocean habitat with marine (ocean), marine animals, especially large ocean dwe ...
, and
theme park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, and events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often fea ...
located on the
Gold Coast, Queensland The Gold Coast, also known by its initials, GC, is a coastal city and region in the state of Queensland, Australia, located approximately south-southeast of the centre of the list of Australian capital cities, state capital, Brisbane. It is ...
,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
. It offers attractions such as rides and animal exhibits and promotes conservation through education and the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. The park is commercially linked to
Warner Bros. Movie World Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Owned and operated by Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the park opened on 3 June 1991. It is part of a entertainment precinct, with the ...
and Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast as part of the theme park division of
Village Roadshow Village Roadshow is an Australian company which operates cinemas and theme parks, and produces and distributes films. Before being acquired by private equity company BGH Capital, the company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange a ...
. The park has no affiliation with an American park chain of a similar name.


History


Park history

Sea World was founded by Keith Williams as the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens. The main attractions were "water ski shows that combined SOS, aqua ballet and action". In 1971, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens moved to land on The Spit. Major dredging works were required to build the new ski lake. A year later, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens became known as Sea World with the introduction of dolphins, marine displays, a replica of the Endeavour, a swimming pool, a licensed restaurant and a gift shop. Additions over the next decade included the purchasing of the competitor marine park, Marineland, and the transfer of animals and exhibits to Sea World, as well as more shops and food outlets.History and Development – Sea World. Retrieved from th
official website
.
SeaWorld was repeatedly rated as Australia's best tourist attraction by the Australian Tourism Awards through the 1980s. In 1984, Keith Williams sold the park to property development group Pivot Leisure. In 1988, Pivot built the 402-room Sea World Nara Resort, a joint development between SeaWorld Property Trust and Nara Hotels Japan. In 1991, Pivot Leisure, Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow jointly developed and opened Warner Bros. Movie World, a Hollywood theme action park, at Oxenford on the Gold Coast. That year, Pivot also purchased the Wet n' Wild Water park located next to the site of Warner Bros. Movie World. In 1993, Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow jointly acquired Pivot Leisure's interest in Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and the adjoining Sea World Nara Resort.


Attraction history

* In 1975, the Sea World train opened. "The train is a two-third scale replica of Queensland's famous number 6A10, which is now on display at the Queensland Railway Museum. The ride was designed and built by Sea World."Parkz Database: Sea World Train. Retrieved from th

.
* In 1978, the first major ride was added to Sea World. The Viking's Revenge Flume Ride opened. This ride was custom-built at a cost of $350,000.Parkz Database: Viking’s Revenge Flume Ride. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
* In 1981, the park's first roller-coaster opened. Originally known as the Wild Wave Rollercoaster, it was accompanied by the Pirate Ship and Carousel. The Wild Wave Roller-coaster changed its name to the Thrillseeker and closed in 2002.Parkz Database: Thrillseeker. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
* In 1982, the Corkscrew roller-coaster opened. The ride is an Arrow Dynamics Sit-down Looper and features three inversions.Parkz Database: Corkscrew Rollercoaster. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
* In 1986, Australia's first monorail opened, the Sea World Monorail System. This ride features three stations throughout the park.Parkz Database: Sea World Monorail System. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
* In 1987, Sea World welcomed the Water Park and Lassiter's Lost Mine ride. Lassiter's Lost Mine ride was the second water ride for the park and was made in-house.Parkz Database: Lassiter’s Lost Mine Ride. Retrieved from th

.
* In 1989, the Sky High Skyway opened. It featured a unique bird's eye view of the park.Parkz Database: Sky High Skyway. Retrieved from th

.
* In 1991, a Sea World helicopter flipped over mid-air and crashed on an island beach. All seven occupants on board were killed. * In 1993, Sea World is taken over jointly by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow. * In 1994,
Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly bounded by Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Since the mid-20th century, it has been the focus of an urban legend sug ...
opened and replaced Lassiter's Lost Mine ride. It used the same ride system but featured updated ride theming. Sea World opened the 3D theatre Sea Dream. * In 1996, Dolphin Cove opens. * In 1998, '' Pirates 3D Adventure'' debuted at the 3D theatre. The film uses "a series of special effects that enables the audience to feel part of the adventure". * In 1999, Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach opened, featuring five children's rides and an interactive water fountain. * In 2000, Polar Bear Shores opens with a pair of bears from Beijing Zoo and Reid Park Zoo. * In 2003, Pirates in 3D was replaced with Planet SOS in 4-D. This film features an environmental message presenting the issues of global warming, ocean habitat destruction, and deforestation. * In 2004, the park opened "
Shark Bay Shark Bay () is a World Heritage Site in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. The area is located approximately north of Perth, on the westernmost point of the Australian continent. UNESCO's listing of Shark Bay as a World Heritage S ...
". This system of artificial lagoons allowed
shark Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...
s to be viewed from both above water and underwater. Sharks exhibited include large and potentially dangerous
tiger shark The tiger shark (''Galeocerdo cuvier'') is a species of ground shark, and the only extant member of the genus '' Galeocerdo'' and family Galeocerdonidae. It is a large apex predator, with females capable of attaining a length of over . Popula ...
s and
bull shark The bull shark (''Carcharhinus leucas''), also known as the Zambezi shark (informally zambi) in Africa and Lake Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a species of requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in riv ...
s. * In 2005, the ski show received a makeover and became Water Ski Wipeout. The water park was renovated, with the relocation of The Plunge from Wet'n'Wild Water World. * In 2006, the Sea World Eye was introduced for a limited time. Swiss manufacturer CWA Constructions built the 60-metre high wheel which featured 42 air-conditioned gondolas.Parkz Database: Sea World Eye. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
* In 2007, Sea World introduced Sesame Street Beach. Sesame Street Beach replaced Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach with the addition of a new stage show and a new ride.Sesame Street Beach – Sea World. Retrieved from th
official website
.
Parkz Database: Sesame Street Beach. Retrieved from th

.
* In 2008, Jet Rescue opened. Jet Rescue is a motorbike launch coaster made by
Intamin Intamin Amusement Rides is a design and manufacturing company in Schaan, Liechtenstein, best-known for designing and constructing Amusement ride, thrill rides and roller coasters at dozens of international theme parks, amusement parks and other e ...
which features jet-ski cars. It is themed to a sea-lion rescue.Parkz Database: Jet Rescue. Retrieved from th
Parkz Database
.
' Ray Reef' opened featuring over 100 rays 'flying and gliding' under the water. It is Sea World's first new wildlife exhibit since 2004. * In 2009, Sea World updated and renewed several things. In early 2009, the Pirate Ship attraction closed and was removed from the park. Waterski Wipeout performed its last show on 20 July 2009. Pirates Unleashed opened on Boxing Day as a replacement.Wiped out by an act of piracy. Retrieved on 13.09.09 from th
Gold Coast Bulletin
.
In September, Sea World announced the opening of Ocean Rescue, a new film for their theatre replacing Planet SOS in 4-D.Ocean Rescue , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.09.09 from th

.
Planet SOS in 4-D. Retrieved on 13.09.09 from th

.
A new educational exhibit also opened in 2009 titled Shark Attack which replaced Dugong Discovery.Shark Attack , Sea World. Retrieved on 24.09.09 from th

.
The Corkscrew roller-coaster was re-themed and renamed to become the Sea Viper. * In 2010, the park closed Shark Attack, the Sea World Aquarium, Ocean Rescue,
Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly bounded by Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Since the mid-20th century, it has been the focus of an urban legend sug ...
and part of the Water Park to construct new attractions. In September, '' Castaway Bay'' opened in the former location of the water park. It is a children's area featuring Sky Fortress (a climbing structure), Sky Climb (a set of high ropes) and Battle Sails (a water battle). In September, Ocean Rescue was replaced by the Happy Feet 3D Experience.School Holiday Fun Guide (12 September 2010). ''The Sunday Mail''. In October, Sea World closed the Bermuda Triangle for routine maintenance before closing the ride permanently. Its replacement was expected to be open by late 2011, but ultimately was replaced in 2013 by the Storm Coaster. Sea World also opened Penguin Encounter, an Antarctic penguin exhibit where Shark Attack And Sea World Aquarium once stood on 26 December 2010. During the summer school holidays, Sea World ran '' Jet Stunt Extreme'' as a temporary jet-ski-based stunt show located on the Sea World lake. It operated for a limited season until 23 January 2011. Sea World has noted that it could become a permanent addition depending on the overall success of the show. * In 2011, Pirates Unleashed had its final performance on 20 July. Jet Stunt Extreme returned on 17 September 2011. On 16 August 2011, Sea World announced a partnership with
Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (nicknamed Nick) is an American pay television channel and the flagship property of the Nickelodeon Group, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on April 1, 1979, as the first ca ...
which would see characters like
SpongeBob SquarePants ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is an American animated television series, animated comedy television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It first aired as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids' C ...
and Dora the Explorer appear in park shows from Christmas 2011. ''SpongeBob ParadePants'' and ''Dora's Best Friends Adventure'' began on 17 December 2011. Towards the end of the year, Happy Feet 3-D Experience was replaced with SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D. Sesame Street Beach was replaced with Beach Break Bay. * In 2012, Sea World announced that they would be launching Dinosaur Island, an interactive dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit opened to the public on 16 June 2012. In December 2012, Sea World announced a "wild" attraction, set for a 2014 opening. Although the attraction was initially promoted in-park and construction began, Sea World has since removed all promotion of the attraction. A 2013 report in the Gold Coast Bulletin suggested the attraction would be a multimillion-dollar African jungle exhibit, including gorillas, hippos, and crocodiles. * In 2013, the park officially opened Seal Harbour, a seal and sea lion exhibit, originally scheduled to open in December 2012. A water-powered jet pack was also added to Jet Stunt Extreme. In December, Sea World opened '' Storm Coaster'', a Mack Rides Water Coaster, replacing the former Bermuda Triangle ride. * In 2014, Sea Viper and Dinosaur Island were closed. * In 2015, Beach Break Bay was replaced with Nickelodeon Land. * In 2016, Sky High Skyway and Viking's Revenge Flume Ride was closed permanently. * In 2017, ''Dora's Best Friends Adventure'' was replaced with ''Paw Patrol on Holiday''. * In May 2019, Sea World announced ''The New Atlantis'' precinct, which will feature three new rides: :*''Vortex'' is an HUSS Top Spin and was originally projected to open in December 2019. Due to delays associated with the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, the ride opened to the public on 2 December 2022. :* ''
Leviathan Leviathan ( ; ; ) is a sea serpent demon noted in theology and mythology. It is referenced in several books of the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms, the Book of Job, the Book of Isaiah, and the pseudepigraphical Book of Enoch. Leviathan is of ...
'' is a
wooden roller coaster A wooden roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its wooden track, which consists of running rails made of flat steel strips mounted on laminated wood. The support structure is also typically made of wood, but may also be ...
manufactured by
Martin & Vleminckx Martin & Vleminckx Ltd. (doing business as MV Rides) is a thrill ride and roller coaster manufacturing and construction company headquartered in Montreal, Québec, Canada with an affiliated office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, a manufa ...
and designed by
The Gravity Group The Gravity Group is a wooden roller coaster design firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The firm was founded in July 2002 by several members of the engineering team of the defunct Custom Coasters International following the latter's bankruptcy. The ...
; in a world-first, its Timberliner trains will feature two backwards-facing seats. It is projected to feature approximately of track, and reach a maximum height of and top speed of . Vertical construction of the coaster began in September 2020, and opened on 2 December 2022, alongside the Vortex and the Trident. :* ''Trident'' is a SBF Visa Swing Tower and opened in Late 2022 alongside the Vortex and Leviathan rollercoasters.


The park


Rides and attractions

* Storm Coaster is a Mack Rides Water Coaster. The ride soft opened on 2 December 2013 as a replacement for the
Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly bounded by Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Since the mid-20th century, it has been the focus of an urban legend sug ...
which closed in 2010. *
Nickelodeon Land Nickelodeon Land is the current children's park in Pleasure Beach Resort, England. It opened on May 4, 2011 and is in the place of Beaver Creek which closed on September 5, 2010 after Amanda Thompson announced that the Pleasure Beach would be ...
is a themed zone featuring several rides specifically designed for children. The area was originally themed to
Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on ...
when it opened in 1999 before being re-themed to
Sesame Street ''Sesame Street'' is an American educational television, educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation, and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Worksh ...
in 2007. In late 2011, it was re-themed to have the generic theme of Beach Break Bay. The area features 6 attractions including the Carousel and Beach Ball Bounce. In 2015 it was refurbished into Nickelodeon Land adding a Zamperla roller coaster and 4 new rides. * Castaway Bay opened in September 2010. It contains a new children's area featuring Sky Fortress (a climbing structure), Sky Climb (a set of high ropes) and Battle Boats (formerly Battle Sails, an interactive water battle). It is located at the northern half of the water park.Promotional Cover for the Gold Coast Bulletin
by Warner Village Theme Parks. Retrieved on 26.06.10 from Gold Coast Bulletin.
* The Reef opened in December 2017. It is a splash zone expansion to Castaway Bay with over 80 water cannons, spouts and an array of oversized marine animal sculptures. * Jet Rescue is a launched steel roller coaster that opened in December 2008. The ride is themed around the journey of a Sea World Rescue Team on a mission to save marine life. Riders board a
jet ski A personal watercraft (PWC), also called Jet Ski or water scooter, is a primarily recreational watercraft that is designed to hold only a small number of occupants, who sit or stand on top of the craft, not within the craft as in a boat. P ...
and race at speeds of up to around a highly twisted and banked track.Jet Rescue , Sea World. Retrieved 24 September 2009 from th
official website
.
* Sea World Monorail System was the first monorail system in Australia. It allowed guests to travel between three stations throughout the park. , the monorail carriages have been dismantled and scrapped. It is unclear whether the monorail system will be decommissioned.Sea World Mono Rail , Sea World. Retrieved 24 September 2009 from th
official website
.
In 2024, it was dismantled and formally abandoned due to rising costs and safety concerns. * Vortex is a Top Spin ride from Hungary-based HUSS Park Attractions. It was announced in May 2019 as the first phase of ''The New Atlantis'' project, and flips riders at speeds of . The attraction was originally slated to open in December 2019, but various constructions issues and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the attraction's opening until a full year later, in December 2020. * ''
Leviathan Leviathan ( ; ; ) is a sea serpent demon noted in theology and mythology. It is referenced in several books of the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms, the Book of Job, the Book of Isaiah, and the pseudepigraphical Book of Enoch. Leviathan is of ...
'' is a wooden coaster designed by
The Gravity Group The Gravity Group is a wooden roller coaster design firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The firm was founded in July 2002 by several members of the engineering team of the defunct Custom Coasters International following the latter's bankruptcy. The ...
and the first wooden coaster to open in Australia in 35 years. The ride opened on 2 December 2022.


Shows

* Paw Patrol on Holiday is a live stage show featuring Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol at the Nickelodeon Stage. It began in December 2017. * Affinity is the latest incarnation of Sea World's dolphin show. The show features similar tricks to previous shows with only the storyline and music changing. The show is set in Dolphin Beach which is the largest sandy bottom lagoon ever built for dolphins containing five different pools and more than 17 million litres of water. Each show caters to 2,500 guests.Imagine , Sea World. Retrieved 28 September 2009 from th
official website
.
* Jet Stunt Extreme is a live jet-ski-based stunt show located on the Sea World lake. It previously operated for a limited season over the summer of 2010–2011. Due to the success of the show, it replaced Pirates Unleashed and became a permanent addition from September 2011 onwards. * Seal Guardians is the latest incarnation of the sea lion presentation, which began showing twice daily in early 2018. * Turtle Power is a live show shown on a stage adjacent to Nickelodeon Land featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters. * Our World of the Dolphin is an educational presentation on Sea World's dolphins and conservation and rehabilitation efforts. This show takes place at the front dolphin pools of Sea World daily.


Marine attractions

* Dolphin Nursery Pool is part of Sea World's highly successful dolphin breeding program which has resulted in dolphin births. The exhibit allows guests to see young dolphins develop under the protective watch of their mothers.Dolphin Nursery Pool , Sea World. Retrieved 30 September 2009 from th
official website
.
* Penguin Encounter is a Antarctic penguin exhibit featuring a pool with under and above water viewing. * Penguin Point is an exhibit featuring
little penguin The little penguin (''Eudyptula minor'') is the smallest species of penguin. It originates from New Zealand. It is commonly known as the fairy penguin, little blue penguin, or blue penguin, owing to its slate-blue plumage and is also known by ...
s. Unlike Penguins on Parade, the previous penguin exhibit at Sea World, Penguin Point has a larger, more open style. It contains a variety of substrates including gravel, rock and grass as well as a large pool. The exhibit can house up to 60 penguins.Penguin Point , Sea World. Retrieved 30 September 2009 from th
official website
.
* Polar Bear Shores is Australia's only polar bear exhibit. It was one of the most technologically advanced exhibits for polar bears when it opened in 2000. Guests can view the polar bears from three viewing platforms: ground level, underwater and above ground. there are three
polar bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can Hybrid (biology), interbreed. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear ...
s in Polar Bear Shores: Hudson, Nelson and Mishka. * Ray Reef allows guests to meet, feed and learn about one of the ocean's most misunderstood inhabitants. The exhibit features over 100 rays.Ray Reef , Sea World. Retrieved 30 September 2009 from th
official website
.
* Rescue Point Lighthouse showcases the achievements of Sea World's Research and Rescue Foundation.Rescue Point Lighthouse , Sea World. Retrieved 30 September 2009 from official website

.
* Seabird Rehabilitation Aviary is designed to house birds under care and rehabilitation. According to the official website, "many of the sea birds housed in this area will never return to the wild due to severe disabilities which have been caused mostly by mans' ignorance and careless ways. For example, we have received pelicans that have had a broken wing from being caught in fishing line. Their wings have since been amputated. Those that recover from their injuries are free to leave at any time."Seabird Rehabilitation Aviary , Sea World. Retrieved 28 September 2009 from th

.
* Seal Harbour is a seal and sea lion exhibit which opened in January 2013. The exhibit has the capacity to feature up to 20 animals including
Australian sea lion The Australian sea lion (''Neophoca cinerea''), also known as the Australian sea-lion or Australian sealion, is a species of sea lion that is the only endemic pinniped in Australia. It is currently Monotypic taxon, monotypic in the genus ''Neopho ...
s,
California sea lion The California sea lion (''Zalophus californianus'') is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lions. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of Califo ...
s, New Zealand fur seals, and subantarctic fur seals. *
Shark Bay Shark Bay () is a World Heritage Site in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. The area is located approximately north of Perth, on the westernmost point of the Australian continent. UNESCO's listing of Shark Bay as a World Heritage S ...
is the world's largest man-made lagoon system for sharks. The exhibit consists of four zones allowing for viewing and interaction. The zones include a touch pool, an inter-tidal zone, a reef lagoon and a shark lagoon. Four 10 x 3-metre windows allows all guests to see the sea life featured in these pools.Shark Bay , Sea World. Retrieved on 30.09.09 fro
official website
.


Upcharges

* Animal Adventures: for an additional fee, guests can take part in Animal Adventures where they can swim with Sea World's marine life.Get up close and personal with marine animals on your family holiday at Sea World , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.06.10 from th

.
* Sea World Books is Sea World's latest franchise. The franchise offers educational children's books about various marine animals.Sea World Books , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.06.10 from th

.

Sea World Cruises
an
Sea World Whale Watch
make use of Sea World's "luxurious cruiser". During the winter months (when whales are travelling up and down the Gold Coast), Sea World operate
whale watching tours
Sea World takes guests on buffet lunch and dinner cruises around the Broadwater and calm canals of the Gold Coast.Sea World Cruises , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.06.10 from th
official website
.
Sea World Whale Watch , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.06.10 from th
official website
.
* Sea World Helicopters allow guests to choose between 5 different tours of the Gold Coast ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. For a further additional charge, guests can purchase a souvenir DVD of their flight.Sea World Helicopters , Sea World. Retrieved on 13.06.10 from th

.
* Sirens of the Sea Photography is available during the run of the ''Sirens of the Sea'' show in the 2017-2018 Summer school holiday season. This up-charge allows you to get up close and personal with the mermaids, and have photography taken with Sea World's mermaids 5 times a day after their show times.


Sea World Resort and Water Park

As the name suggests, Sea World Resort and Water Park is an adjoining Resort and Water Park to Sea World. The resort underwent a large-scale refurbishment in 2007. In 2008, the Sea World Water Park became part of the resort with regular park guests having to pay an additional fee to make use of the water park.Sea World Resort unveils new water park master plan. Retrieved on 13.06.10 fro
MyFun Media Centre
.
In 2010, part of the Water Park was demolished to make way for ''Castaway Bay''.Castaway Bay Construction Aerial. Retrieved on 06.05.10 fro
NearMap
.


Television

Television series filmed at Sea World include the Australian children's programs '' Dolphin Cove'', '' Camp Orange'', '' Toasted TV'' (since early 2007), '' H2O: Just Add Water'', and its spin-off '' Mako Mermaids''.


Accidents and incidents

Several accidents or incidents have occurred at or near the Sea World theme park.


1991 Gold Coast helicopter collision with terrain

On 3 March 1991 at 1:58pm, six passengers and the pilot on board a Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II were killed during a joy-flight departing from Sea World. The helicopter climbed steeply with its nose facing almost vertically upwards. It then fell backwards, resulting in the tail boom being severed by the main rotor blades, causing the helicopter to crash on a South Stradbroke Island beach. The investigation found the helicopter was airworthy and there was no evidence of the pilot attempting a deliberate manoeuvre such as a torque turn. Although the pilot was unknowingly suffering from
myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the cardiac muscle. Myocarditis can progress to inflammatory cardiomyopathy when there is associated ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction due to chronic inflammation. Symptoms can include shortness of bre ...
, which could result in loss of consciousness or death, the reason for the loss of control could not be established.


2023 Gold Coast helicopter mid-air collision

On 2 January 2023 at 1:59pm, two helicopters operated by Sea World Helicopters (a separate company from Sea World) collided near the resort. The departing helicopter (containing seven occupants) fell to the ground and crashed, killing four people and critically injuring three. The arriving helicopter (containing six occupants) landed safely, with five of the occupants suffering relatively minor injuries, mostly from glass shards from the broken windshield.


See also

*
Animal sanctuary An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and to be protected for the rest of their lives. In addition, sanctuaries are an experimental staging ground for transformative human–animal relations. There are five types of ...
*
Marine park A marine park is a designated park consisting of an area of sea (or lake) set aside to achieve ecological sustainability, promote marine awareness and understanding, enable marine recreational activities, and provide benefits for Indigenous peo ...
*
Wildlife refuge A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geolog ...


References


External links

*
Nature Works – Zoos and Animals – including at Sea World
{{Authority control 1971 establishments in Australia Amusement parks in Queensland Amusement parks opened in 1971 Aquaria in Australia Oceanaria * Southport, Queensland Tourist attractions on the Gold Coast, Queensland Zoos in Queensland