Australian Amusement Fanatics

Durkins imported a unit into Australia about 35 years ago. I think it was Ivan Bennett made machine and was one of the first trailer mounted rides with a fold up deck.

Power came from a Ford diesel which was mounted in the centre of the ride.

This may be the unit operated by Big Show Queensland.

The cars were supplied to a lot of small amusement centres as they required about a third of the space of the average dodgem car floor.

There was a set at the Taren Point Putt Putt golf which closed about 15 years ago. They were not that successful.

Again great photos.

Some operators leave the trucks at a caravan park near Glenelg.

Thanks Zamperla.Thanks Pee Wee.

Great to also see Bells classic Kenworths. That slimline cabover is a rarety these days.

Adelaide is a great show. Now probably but sadly better than the Ekka.

What abouts Shorts new dodgem track ?

Has anybody seen it in operation?

I understood the Dodgem City Reverchon cars went to Queensland. I think there was about 24 of them. It was a big track. The manager told me they were the owner's pride and joy. In those days there were large amusement parlours all down George Street.

Does Tony Dolan operate under the name Tony Joes ?

Do Gardners still have a track ?

I thought AI from Campbelltown also had one as did Xtreme rides in Tassie.

Recently there was a track advertised for sale in NT. I thought it may have been Bells old one.

Some other tracks are; Carls(?) Davis (?) Bob Lawrences Majestic Unit from the USA Leightons also from South Australia Oneills Pattersons Funland from NSW Southern Highlands Roberts Smans from South Australia Verfurth There are also some hire units in Qld. Anybody have some info? Defunct permanenet ...

The question is never asked. How many dodgem tracks are there in Australia ? I believe there is probably nearly fifty. This is alot considering the number of shows, festivals and fetes that are on every weekend especially during the warmer months. Some operate in just one state while some do the rou...

Deefa,

Do they still have that carnival down near ther river ?

Is Rocky the town where for many years they had a carnival down by the river a week or so before the show ?

Was that once an OFA Showstar show ?

Sorry Topgunner.

Does anybody know whether Verfurths still own the Hangover ?

The Miranda carnival is operated by Smalls and Festival Amusements. It was also there in the latter half of last year. The Hangover is there and not the Shockwave. There is also Smalls dodgems and ferris wheel. I dont know whether they are staying until Easter. There is also an event at Cronulla ove...

About twenty years ago a large Easter fair took place at Bankstown Showground. It was a much larger event than what I think we can expect at Moore Park. It had an impressive line up of rides including most of Bells as they didn't attend the Royal at the time. Giving the event a country flavour was G...

On the Australian Amusement Directory Tony Smans has a Chance Inverter for sale POA.

Its good to see the go karts still in operation. I assume they belong to Youngs.

Unfortunaly there are only three or four of these tracks still in operation. Last year atleast three of them were up for sale.

I think Browns had the Ski Jump at one stage.

Ernie Short thats a name from the past! Remember when there was a semi carnival circuit around the Sydney suburbs.

No Thunderbolt or Shorts dodgems.

Shorts have had their dodgems at the show for as long as I can remember.

Is there a Christmas carnival at Lakes Entrance? I remember seeing a large carnival in the main street about 20 years ago with Witts rides and a large ferris wheel.

How many of these rides are there in Australia ? Every operator seems to have one, some have two. There are probably now atleast 30 units. Some are Australian built, some are from the US and there is Goldenway's UK model. The latest import being a Sizzler from the US brought in by Pavier Amusements ...

The Super Sizzler at Bass Hill is the one from the US with the fold out deck, large backdrop and more modern cars. This type of Sizzler is not that popular in the US.

At next years Royal Easter Show will there be a smaller ferris wheel over near the Acer Arena ?

Will the Crazy Cars make an appearance ?

Are Shorts still getting their fold up dodgem track ? If so when it is arriving.