A history of fun: Australia’s oldest theme park
Luna Park Melbourne, located in the bayside suburb of St Kilda, has operated continuously since its official opening on December 13, 1912. It holds the distinction of being Australia’s oldest continually operating theme park.
The park’s most recognized feature is the giant, smiling face of Mr. Moon, whose open mouth serves as the main entrance. The park was founded by American showman J.D. Williams and the Phillips brothers (Harold, Leon, and Herman), and it was explicitly modelled after the successful amusement centres of Coney Island, New York City. Luna Park is formally recognized for its cultural significance, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Planning your visit: Hours, admission, and tickets
Luna Park operates under a highly seasonal schedule. Unlike many modern parks, it is generally open only on weekends and every day during Victorian school holidays and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day). Operational times can also vary significantly, sometimes featuring evening hours, so visitors must consult the official calendar before visiting.
Ticket strategy: Guaranteeing entry
Luna Park has restricted capacity, so pre-purchasing tickets is strongly recommended to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.
- Unlimited ride tickets: These are the most popular option and guarantee entry and access to all rides for the day. They should be purchased online in advance.
- Park entry only tickets: These tickets include entry and a choice of one single ride or carnival game. They are only available at the ticket box on the day of the visit and are strictly subject to capacity availability.
A summary of the standard Unlimited Ride Ticket pricing (excluding booking fees) is below:
| Ticket type | Suitable for | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited ride ticket | Ages 0-3 years | FREE |
| Unlimited ride ticket | Ages 4-12 years | $45.00 pp |
| Unlimited ride ticket | Ages 13 years+ | $55.00 pp |
| Senior unlimited ride ticket | Valid Australian/NZ seniors card holders | $40.00 pp |
| Family pass | 4 guests (max 2 over 13+) | $170.00 per family |
Note: Online purchases are subject to an additional booking fee of AUD$1.55 per ticket.
Five great things to do while you’re in Melbourne
- 🏙️ Get to know the city’s history and culture on a laneways walking tour.
- 🍷 Take a Yarra Valley day tour with indulgent wine-tasting.
- 🚴 Cover far more of Melbourne’s highlights on an electric bike tour.
- 🛶 Kayak along the Yarra River at sunset.
- 🍽️ Discover Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene on a top-rated food tour.
Getting there and parking
Trams arriving from the Melbourne central business district (CBD) stop directly at the park’s doorstep.
For car travel, parking is managed by the Port Phillip City Council. Rates can fluctuate, but a daily rate of $16.00 or approximately $6.00 per hour has been noted, although visitors must check ticket machines on arrival.
- Accessibility parking: Accessible parking places are located in Cavell Street and at both ends of the car park in Shakespeare Grove. Drivers displaying a Category 1 disabled parking permit are exempt from paying parking fees in any Council parking areas surrounding Luna Park.
The thrills: Heritage and modern rides
The park maintains approximately 20 attractions, balancing historical preservation with modern ride technology.
Heritage attractions
The park is home to three historically important rides:
- The Great Scenic Railway: This is the world’s oldest continually operating roller coaster. Due to its wooden structure, the operation requires a brakeman to manually stand in the centre of the carriage to control the speed on the hills, making it a functional piece of history.
- Carousel: Built in 1913, this is an award-winning attraction, constructed by the renowned Philadelphia Toboggan Company in the United States.
- The Ghost Train: A classic dark ride attraction that has been operational since 1934.
Modern rides
The park features several high-thrill attractions for older guests, including the Coney Drop (a rapid vertical drop tower), Supernova (a Skyflyer attraction providing a 360° spinning experience), Pharaoh’s Curse (a high-intensity Kamikaze model), and Twin Dragon (a pirate ship ride).
For the park’s youngest visitors (known as “Little Lunies”), dedicated rides include Red Baron, Moon Balloons, and Speedy Beetle. Accompanying adults can often ride these attractions free of charge.
Visitor services and accessibility
The park offers multiple dining options. The Luna Diner serves classic carnival fare, such as hot chips, hot dogs, and dim sims. The Luna Cafe (which operates on limited days) offers more specialized options like gourmet burgers, fish tacos, and calamari. The park’s catering team can adapt menus for private events to suit various dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Despite its age and heritage status, the central areas of Luna Park are wheelchair accessible, with disabled facilities at both ends of the site. However, due to the historic nature of the structure, park management notes that many of the rides and some attractions are not wheelchair accessible. Guests with disabilities are advised to consult park guides before purchasing ride tickets.
Nearby attractions in St Kilda
Luna Park is the anchor of the St Kilda foreshore area, allowing visitors to combine their visit with several other attractions nearby:
- St Kilda Beach: Located directly adjacent, offering soft sands and water sports.
- Little Penguin Parade: Located at the St Kilda Breakwater, visitors can view the colony of around 1,400 Little Penguins at dusk from an elevated boardwalk.
- Acland Street Village: This area is the cosmopolitan centre of St Kilda, famous for its continental cake shops, outdoor dining, and retail.
- The Palais Theatre: Situated next to Luna Park, this major venue hosts live music and performances.
- St Kilda Esplanade Market: Operating on Sundays adjacent to the park, this market showcases various arts, crafts, and goods.
- St Kilda Botanical Gardens: A nearby option for reflection and relaxation.
More Melbourne travel
Other Melbourne travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to Melbourne’s Immigration Museum.
- How to get the best out of a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria.
- Tips for visiting ACMI in Federation Square.
- Review of the MCG tour.
- Guide to Birrarung Marr – central Melbourne’s riverside park.
