The Bush Beast: A Southern Hemisphere Legend

Australia’s Wonderland once boasted a true marvel of wooden coaster engineering – the Bush Beast. Deemed the biggest, fastest, and meanest wooden roller coaster in the Southern Hemisphere, the Bush Beast was more than just a ride; it was an iconic symbol of adrenaline and excitement.

Fast Facts About the Bush Beast:

  • Type: Double out and back figure 8.
  • Highest Point: A towering 27.5 meters.
  • Track Length: An impressive 975 meters.
  • Max Speed: Heart-racing 90 km/h.
  • Capacity: 2 trains, 7 cars per train, carrying 28 passengers each.
  • Hourly Capacity: Approximately 880 thrill-seekers.
  • Ride Duration: A thrilling 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
  • Height Restriction: 122 cm.

A Thrill Ride Like No Other

Built in 1985 as a direct clone of Paramount Canada’s Wonderland’s Wild Beast, the Bush Beast was a masterpiece of design and engineering. Its “Double out & back figure 8” configuration promised an exhilarating experience that captivated many.

The construction of the Bush Beast was a feat in itself. Starting on April 1, 1985, and completing on November 5, 1985, at a cost of $2.7 million, it was constructed on-site like a giant kit. The coaster used 450,000 board feet of imported Southern Yellow Pine, held together by over 30,000 steel bolts and 9,072 Kg of nails, designed to last 40 years.

The End of an Era

Despite its design to last four decades, the Bush Beast’s journey at Australia’s Wonderland came to an end. But the spirit of the coaster lives on. Today, the trains of the Bush Beast have found a new home at Artisans Park in Bathurst. Here, they undergo restoration and will be displayed permanently, keeping the legacy of this legendary ride alive.

Artisans Park: A New Chapter

  • The Trains’ New Home: The Bush Beast’s trains now reside at Artisans Park, Bathurst, where they are carefully restored.
  • Reliving the Memories: Artisans Park is constructing a station and a section of track, allowing enthusiasts to relive the memories through photo opportunities.

Celebrating the Bush Beast

The Bush Beast was more than a roller coaster; it was a vessel of shared joy, screams, and laughter. It was where families and friends created unforgettable memories. Though it no longer stands, the spirit of the Bush Beast continues to resonate in the hearts of those who experienced its thrilling journey.

We invite you to visit Artisans Park, not just to see a piece of roller coaster history but to step back into a world of nostalgia, where the legend of the Bush Beast lives on. Join us in celebrating a ride that was not just about the thrills and speeds but about the stories and memories it created.