Rivertown (Dreamworld)

Themed area

RivertownStatus| Operating

|

Theme| Jungle themed river town
Attractions
Total| 2
Roller coasters| 1
Other rides| 1
Dreamworld
Coordinates| 27°51′48″S 153°19′02″E﻿ / ﻿27.863294°S 153.317267°E﻿ / -27.863294; 153.317267
Opened| 15 December 1981 (1981-12-15) (original)
23 December 2024 (2024-12-23) (reopening)
Closed| 2010s (original)
Replaced| ABC Kids World
Replaced by| Merged with ABC Kids World and Main Street

Rivertown is a themed area at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1] It replaced the former ABC Kids World and provides a link between Main Street, the Dreamworld Corroboree and Tiger Island.[1][2] The area previously existed from the park's opening in 1981 until being merged into Main Street in the 2010s.[1]

## History

[edit]

Rivertown opened with the park in 1981.[3] 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.[2][4] At opening the area was home to the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (John Longhurst's signature attraction) and the Avis Vintage Cars.[3] In 2012, the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler ceased operations.

On 24 November 2022, Dreamworld announced that Rivertown would be returning, replacing the existing ABC Kids World which took over much of the original Rivertown's footprints. The return of Rivertown is also to come with the introduction of a new attraction and is expected to open in late-2024.[1] ABC Kids World closed on 8 October 2023, with the construction of Rivertown commencing.[5][6] The area officially opened on 23 December 2024, with Jungle Rush, Murrissippi Motors and Jane’s Rivertown Restaurant.[7]

## Attractions

[edit]

### Current attractions

[edit]

Mick Doohan's Motocoaster

* Jungle Rush is a temple-themed Vekoma family roller coaster. The ride has 12 airtime elements, dedicated show movements, the ability to operate in both a forwards and backwards direction, and immersive theming with storytelling. The ride officially opened on 23 December 2024 with the return of Rivertown.[1]
* Motocoaster is an Intamin Motorbike Launch Roller Coaster named after the Moto GP champion Michael Doohan.[8] Although being classified as one of Dreamworld's Big 8 Thrill Rides,[9] the ride failed to gain support within its first year of operation.[10] Motocoaster still operates as part of Main Street.[11]
* Murrissippi Motors is a vintage cars attraction where guests can ride in replicas of 1911 Model T Fords. In 2007, the attraction was relocated to the Australian Wildlife Experience area (now Dreamworld Corroboree).[4] The attraction returned to Rivertown in 2024 and received a refurbishment and retheme, now featuring a former RAAF Caribou A4-179 aircraft.[1][7]

### Former attractions

[edit]

The Rivertown Wharf (entrance to Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler) in 2011.

* The Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler was a operational 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.[12] 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.[3] The ride originally featured a bush show themed to the era of Ned Kelly. This was discontinued when Farmyard Friends was constructed during 2005.[12] The attraction closed in 2012.[12]

## Shopping & Dining

[edit]

Food and beverages are available at:

* Jane’s Rivertown Restaurant \- a jungle-themed restaurant, featuring several animatronic animals, a themed boat bar, and several past Dreamworld relics such as old posters featuring the former Tower of Terror II and Wipeout attractions.[7]

Rivertown and Motocoaster-themed merchandise can be purchased at:

* The Rivertown General Store \- a merchandise store which Rivertown-themed merchandise as well as Motocoaster-themed merchandise can be purchased. Motocoaster and Murrissippi Motors on-ride photos are also available here.[7]

Food and beverage items were formerly available at the Fast Foods restaurant.[13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f "The Future of Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
2. ^ a b "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
3. ^ a b c "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
4. ^ a b "Vintage Cars (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
5. ^ "Rivertown". Dreamworld. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
6. ^ Parkz Members. "Jungle Rush Coaster". Parkz. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
7. ^ a b c d "Dreamworld opens new Rivertown precinct". Australian Leisure Management. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
8. ^ "Mick Doohan's Motocoaster". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
9. ^ "Man Up Landing". Dreamworld. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
10. ^ Wilson, Richard (13 March 2008). "Motocoaster comes in second last in worldwide coaster poll". News Article. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
11. ^ "Printable Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
12. ^ a b c "Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
13. ^ Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).

* v
* t
* e

Dreamworld

* History
* Current attractions
* Former attractions
* Events

Corroboree|

* Bilby House
* Daintree Rainforest
* Dreamworld Woolshed
* Humpy
* Kakadu Wetlands
* Koala Country
* Outback Adventure

Gold Rush Country|

* The Giant Drop
* Steel Taipan

Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland|

* Bananas in Pyjamas Carousel
* Bananas in Pyjamas Fun Maze
* Belinda's Treehouse
* Big Red Boat Coaster
* Big Red Plane
* Dreamworld Theatre
* Humpty-Go-Round
* Kenny's Forest Flyer
* Play School Wheel

Main Street|

* Dreamworld Express
* The Dreamworld Flyer
* Motocoaster
* Sky Voyager

Ocean Parade|

* Deep Sea Dodgems
* Dreamworld Exhibition Centre
* Game Site
* The Gold Coaster
* Kickback Cove
* King Claw
* Seabed Splash
* Serpent Slayer
* Shockwave
* Tail Spin

Rivertown|

* Jungle Rush
* Murrissippi Motors

Tiger Island|

* Cub Kindy
* The Lair
* Tiger Island

WhiteWater World|

* The B.R.O
* Cave of Waves
* The Green Room
* Fully 6
* The Little Rippers
* Pipeline Plunge
* The Rip
* The Shell
* Supertubes Hydrocoaster
* The Temple of Huey
* The Wedgie
* Triple Vortex
* Wiggle Bay

Events|

* Dreamworld Night Market
* Happy Halloween
* Park After Dark
* Spring County Fair
* Street Food Festival
* Winterfest

Former attractions|

* Avalanche
* AVPX
* Big Red Car Ride
* Blue Lagoon
* Brock's Garage
* BuzzSaw
* Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler
* The Claw
* Creature Cruise
* Dora the Explorer Sea Planes
* Dreamworld Cinema
* Dreamworld Helicopters
* Dreamworld Studios
* Eureka Mountain Mine Ride
* Farmyard Friends
* FlowRider
* Giggle and Hoot Hop and Hoot
* Grand Prix
* Illuminate Light & Laser Spectacular
* Little Puff
* Reef Diver
* Rock Climbing Wall
* Rocky Hollow Log Ride
* Skylink Chairlift
* Soaring Swing
* SpongeBob SquarePants Water Play
* Stingray
* Thunder River Rapids Ride
* Thunderbolt
* Tower of Terror II
* Trolls Village
* V8 Supercars RedLine
* Vortex
* Wipeout
* Zombie Evilution

Related articles|

* Ardent Leisure
* Big Brother Australia
* Dreamworld's 30th Birthday
* Dreamworld Tower
* Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation
* SkyPoint Observation Deck
* The Shak
* Toasted TV

* Category
* Note: italic indicates upcoming attractions.

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