Thrill seekers ride a Sunshine Coast first

A $763,000 investment by the Palaszczuk Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund has helped deliver Dingo Racer, the Sunshine Coast’s first roller coaster experience at Aussie World.

Dingo Racer was opened today for its first, official Queensland school holiday spin by Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

“Aussie World is an iconic tourism experience building back better to create more good jobs and reshape our visitor economy,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The Mad Max-styled Dingo Racer spins while hugging a track at an exhilarating 72 km/h and is already a howling success.”

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said planning for a new visitor experience at Aussie World began in the early stages of Covid.

“We partnered with Aussie World to get Dingo Racer to the starters’ gate early in the pandemic to support eight construction and six operational jobs through the $25 million Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund,” Mr Hunt said.

“Aussie World’s $3.282 million Dingo Racer-led reimaging also includes extra parking for 110 cars and two buses.

“Dingo Racer is on the bucket lists of thousands of thrill seekers these school holidays and is a standout among the Sunshine Coast’s line-up of world class visitor experiences.” 

Mr Hinchliffe said Dingo Racer’s debut at Aussie World came at an important time in the Sunshine Coast’s recovery.

“Hard work during the pandemic is paying off for the Sunshine Coast’s domestic tourism recovery; it’s roaring back even stronger than before Covid,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“National data out today puts the Sunshine Coast in Queensland’s top five tourism recovery destinations with visitor spending in the 12 months to March up 5.7 per cent to $2.9 billion.

“We know from the independent Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Action Plan, new experiences and new investment are critical to staying relevant and reshaping our visitor economy towards 2032.

“That’s why it’s so good to see Aussie World building back better with another thrilling new visitor experience on the Sunshine Coast.”

Roughly 29,600 extra thrill seekers are predicted to visit Aussie World to ride Dingo Racer and contribute almost $2 million to the Sunshine Coast visitor economy. 

Aussie World CEO Jenny Howell said they were thrilled to bring the Dingo Racer to the Sunshine Coast following the addition last year of the adrenaline-charged SX360 ride.

“Our team is committed to bringing a memorable experience to fun-loving families and thrill-seeking young adult visitors who come through our gates. We continue to work strongly with stakeholders in the industry to drive tourism to the Sunshine Coast and cement Aussie World as an iconic theme park to visit,” she said.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of the support of the Queensland Government. We are treated as a valued partner in making the Sunshine Coast a must-visit, premiere destination for our esteemed locals and highly regarded holidaymakers.”

Dingo Racer and Aussie World’s car and bus park upgrade are the Palaszczuk Government’s third Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund project on the Sunshine Coast including TreeTops Junior Adventure Park and Amaze World, and among 22 supported across Queensland.

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