Movie World

Movie World, Queensland’s answer to Universal Studios, is Warner Brothers movie-themed fantasy land in the theme park triangle between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy a visit here, for Movie World makes a slick candy coloured escape from reality for any kidult aged 0-100.

Entertainment and rides are divided into 3 zones: Family Friendly, Kids Fun (for the tots and the timid) and Thrill Rides.

Start with a wander down Main Street which is straight out of a movie set, lined with quaint shops and eateries and home to a constant parade of with movie characters, who ride, drive, saunter and chase each other along the street.

Here’s the place to plan the day and spot anyone from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to Superman or Catwoman and it’s also the hub of Movie World’s Family Friendly entertainment.

Catch Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 4D at the Main Street theatre, gather to watch a stuntman at work in Hollywood Stunt Driver or, for a life-changing experience upgrade to a Pit Pass and take part in the stunt too.

To one side of Main Street is the Kids Fun Zone, with the Sylvester Drop, all ages Road Runner rollercoaster and Tweety Bird ride.

The rest of Movie World is the kind of place to keep thrillseekers’ hair on end all day. Go insane at the Arkham Asylum where G-forces on the inner coaster hit 4.2, take the steepest inverted slope in the Southern Hemisphere on the Green Lantern, get propelled skyward from 0 to 100km in 2 seconds by Superman or take the Batwing Spaceshot and shoot for the sky 60m high with a g-force of 4.5.

Other thrilling faves include the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster where laser lights, ghouls and gargoyles are out to get you just like in the movie, and the Wild West Falls Adventure Ride which, for cowboys and not cowards is probably the least brain-rattling and lies somewhere between scary and family.

The piece de resistance though is new arrival Justice League 3-D, a state of the art epic 3-D interactive trip like nothing experienced before. Riders get to travel in a transportation pod through devastated cities, fighting aliens with a super blaster in the battle between good and evil.

Food at Movie World is a touch above your standard theme park fare while in keeping with the vibe of the rides and attractions: smoky BBQ chicken from the Wild West Roadhouse, continental BBQ sausages at Outback BBQ or San Franciscan style nachos or quesadillas from Dirty Harrys and burgers from Gotham City. There are also little café nooks to get coffee and cake, Arthur’s Bakery for snacks and for sweet tooths, Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream.

Need to know: Venues within Movie World can be booked for special events, with everything from birthday parties to corporate dos accommodated. A mock-up Moroccan bazaar, Spooky Island Nights and Capone’s Little Sicily complete with shoot-outs are all possibilities here. Just ask. Annual passes are great value – especially for families, and make great presents.