Once upon a time O’Neill’s Adventureland was the theme park of choice for the families of the great south west, from Liverpool to Campbelltown and Camden.
Luna Park was too far away to pop to when the kids wanted an outing to an amusement park, so it was a short drive to Adventureland, located adjacent to the old Hume Highway near the Crossroads.
South west locals loved it for its proximity and for the fact that it was inevitable they would bump into someone they knew.
And there were enough rides to keep the kids amused for two or three hours and fairy floss and hot dogs to feed them.
In the 1970s and 1980s Adventureland was promoted on television commercials with the lyrics:
Something for mum and something for dad, something for grandma and old grandad … at Adventureland.
The park, run by the O’Neill family, operated under the name of Adventureland Sydney and was open throughout the year. It closed its gates for the last time about 20 years ago.
Gary O’Neill told the South West Voice earlier today that he still opens the park once a year.
More recently the park has been used as a set for the television show Double the Fist. The rides at the park have also featured in movies such as Babe and Ghost Rider.
The park was also used extensively in the 1983 Australian drama film – Hostage, where the initial first section of the movie was based. This movie was also known internationally as The Christine Maresch Story, which starred Judy Nunn and Kerry Mack.
So other than films roles and the odd reopening, Adventureland is now just a memory for most locals.
The University of NSW Art & Design faculty and the Campbelltown Arts Centre have joined forces for Winter Wonderland, a one-off contemporary art event, which will reinvigorate the Adventureland site with contemporary art, music and performances.
Artists such as Rosie Deacon, Heath Franco, Safdar Ahmed, Karen Therese and Singing Sadie will explore the imaginative and psychedelic world of the fun park.
And as part of Winter Wonderland, emerging curators from UNSW Art and Design will presentLast Adventure, a project that will engage the community by inviting past workers and visitors to share their memories of fun parks past and present.
The curators have also invited emerging artists Hana Hoogedeure, Zachariah Fenn, Giselle Stanborough, Timothy Dwyer and Kata Komlos to produce works responding to the site.
Some works will incorporate existing materials and objects found within the fun park, while others explore its past and present state.
“This is a place that was very special to many people and is full of memory.’’
The community is invited to share their memories of fun parks in western Sydney for Last Adventure.
Photos, testimonies and videos are welcomed at lastadventurecurators@gmail.com or via Facebook.
With torchlight ghost tours, rides, and fun park food, Winter Wonderland will be a rare opportunity for the south west community to come together on a winter’s night and participate in an evening of fun and discovery.
Organisers say Winter Wonderland will convey the spirit of the fun park, and – for just one day – breathe life back into an extraordinary site.
Mr O’Neill confirmed that he had been approached about Winter Wonderland and he was happy the day was going ahead.
“I hear that’s it’s going to be quite big on the day, much bigger than originally thought,’’ he said.
Mr O’Neill said he was hoping to attend on the day.
♦ WHAT: Winter Wonderland
WHERE: Adventureland Sydney 1744 Camden Valley Way, Edmondson Park NSW
WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 2015, 6-9pm
COST: Free – but bookings are essential as spaces are strictly limited; bookings at: http://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/UpcomingExhibition or ring 4645 4100.
MORE INFO: http://lastadventure.wix.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LastAdventure2015
A pity the photo of the shoe house and lake are from a different defunct amusement park : Magic Kingdom, Lansvale.
I would like to point out that O’Neill’s did not own Adventureland originally and was owned by the Cosgraves. On Death of my Father in 1979 it was Sold to the O’Neill’s and was run as a small Amusement park using Equipment stored during the off season for carnivals and such. The fixtures in the park like the Slipery Dip and Old Mothers Shoe ( not the one in the photo) were all remnants from “Cosgrave’s” Adventureland. The Original (And best) Park in Sydney Modeled on Disneyland in the 70’s where Shows like “The Box” and others were also shot at the park. There is a much better story Before this Article. This sounds like an Advertisment after Change of Hands Article
I would to point out that O’Neill’s did not own Adventureland originally and was owned by the Cosgraves. On Death of my Father in 1979 it was Sold to the O’Neill’s and was run as a small Amusement park using Equipment stored during the off season for carnivals and such. The fixtures in the park like the Slipery Dip and Old Mothers Shoe (Magic kingdom shown) were all remnants from Cosgraves Adventureland. Then Original (And best) Park in Sydney Modeled on Disneyland in the 70’s where Shows like “The Box” and others were also shot at the park. There is a much better story Before this Article. This reads like an Advertisment.
I used to live down the back in a caravan when I was a kid… that slide was hektik… potatoe sack with a block of wax underneath…. soo many memories
Hi Ian,
My Father, Ron Lawton designed and built Adventureland in about 1969-70. I remember my brothers working there building the crooked house and the castle and the old shoe and lots more.
My sister and I danced on stage every Sunday with the dancing school and did pantomimes every school holidays. We were called the Adventureland Smarties….and starred in the TV advert at the time.
I believe that my Dad went into partnership with your Dad?
I have so many memories of Adventureland and I spent a lot of time there.
I also have photos if you are interested.
I was the most exciting time of my childhood.
Hi Sue,
You are certainly correct. My father Gordon Jones sold what was originally the Skyline Restaurant plus 150 acres to Ron Lawton (who was a prominent speed boat racer) and Mr Cosgrave.
I lived there with my parents for 2 years after the sale of the park and watched it being built.
I certainly recall the Castle built by old Bill, The Crooked House, the very large slippery dip which was the first thing constructed, the water cannel where the fiberglass boats ran, The old shoe, The secret tunnel, the Trampolines, a suspension bridge, Pony ride’s, the Animal park that had Kangaroos, Emu’s, camels. French hens, peacocks and other exotic birds plus up the very back the old Flintstone house.
I also recall a large stage half way up where you sang every weekend.
I was there on the day it was opened by John Laws and it was reported on the day there was over 50,000 people in attendance. The real Adventureland was certainly an amazing place and never documented well enough for what it achieved.