Dreamworld demolishes Thunder River Rapids ride

Following the long-awaited demolition of its Eureka Mountain Mine Ride in December last year, Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has commenced the permanent removal of its Thunder River Rapids ride - scene of four fatalities in October 2016.

With official investigations into the fatalities now complete, the removal of the ill-fated ride means that the Buzzsaw ride will soon be the last remaining attraction in what was once one of Dreamworld's core themed areas.

At this time Dreamworld’s management have not indicated what will feature in the area in the future with Dreamworld Chief Executive Craig Davidson's having suggested that the decommissioned Skylink Chairlift might also be removed as part of a wider project to clear the area.

A statement from Dreamworld has advised that “the broader Gold Rush site works began in September 2017, with the demolition of the mine ride mountain and ride infrastructure. The next phase of these works include:

• Demolition of the Skylink infrastructure;
• Demolition of attractions within the closed Gold Rush area including the Gold Rush street stores, shooting gallery and Old Time Photos; and
• Demolition of the decommissioned Thunder River Rapids ride, which is consistent with our undertaking given in late 2016 that the Thunder River Rapids ride would not operate again.
• The Gold Rush area remains cordoned off from the main Park and, where possible, site access for demolition of infrastructure is being undertaken out of Park operating hours.”

Image: The Thunder River Rapids ride in operation.

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