Sydney's Luna Park

The first Luna Park opened in 1903 in Coney Island, New York. This picture was taken circa 1907.

The first Australian Luna Park opened in Saint Kilda in Melbourne in 1912. Image.

A second Australian Luna Park was opened in Glenelg South Australia in 1930. It went into liquidation several years later so the rides were transported to Sydney to use in the Sydney park.

Sydney Luna park opened in 1935 to almost immediate success. This picture was taken in 1937.

The entrance towers pay homage to the first Luna Park in Coney Island. Image.

Mr Luna's face has been redesigned 8 times during the park's history. The current face was designed in 1995 and is based on illustrations of Old King Cole from the British nursery rhyme.

The external lights of the park were dimmed during the Second World World in case of a Japanese attack on Sydney. The park was popular with servicemen during the war, either treating their girlfriend to a night out or looking to meet someone.

In 1979, the park was closed after a fire on the Ghost train killed 6 children and an adult. A coronial inquest did not identify the cause of the fire, but ruled that the park breached their duty of care. A 2021 investigation by the ABC exposed a network of criminality including a property developer, a former NSW Premier, a former High Court Justice and an organised crime boss. The investigation concluded that the fire was deliberately lit by organised crime figures at the request of a property developer so he could gain control of Crown land.

In 1980, the "Friends of Luna Park" group was founded by Luna Park artists and concerned citizens to draw attention to the plight of the park. They were successful in getting the entrance listed as an item of national heritage by the National Trust of Australia, with the rest of Luna Park given a 'recorded' classification.

In late 1980, much of the park was demolished by then owner, Col Goldstein. In the month before demolition, anything detachable was auctioned off. The Friends of Luna Park purchased some items in order to preserve them.

The park re-opened in 1982 under the name "Harbourside Amusement Park". The name "Luna Park" could not be used until later that year due to a dispute between the current and previous owners. Only the face, Coney Island (pictured) and the Crystal Palace were retained from the original park.

The park was forced to close in 1988 due to engineers' reports requiring repairs and maintenance.

No progress had been made to reopen by the end of 1989, and the New South Wales government had received several submissions to redevelop the land into apartment blocks and hotels so they issued an ultimatum to the company - open Luna Park by 1 June 1990, or lose the lease. The park did not reopen so the lease was terminated.

In 1990, Luna Park Reserve Trust was established and the site was protected, dedicating it for amusement and public recreation. Making it one of only two amusement parks in the world protectd by government legislation, the other being Denmark's Tivoli Gardens.

In 1991, a multi-stage redevelopment and restoration plan was commenced. The park reopened in 1995.

The park was again forced to close in 1996 when a newly elected Carr state government withdrew support and funding.

The park reopened in 2004 after a minor redevelopment to allow the park to host functions and events. Despite rain and low temperatures, thousands of people turned out.

In 2005, the future of the park was again thrown into limbo when a group of local residents launched legal action against the park for the excessive noise of the rides. The case was eventually defeated and the park was allowed to continue operations.

The park continues operation to this day and is well loved.