Village Roadshow theme parks on the Gold Coast will include PCR testing hubs for fully vaccinated interstate visitors holidaying in Australia’s favourite tourism destination this summer.
The theme park PCR testing hubs will be a quick and convenient way for interstate visitors to get their day five Covid-19 test, as required by Queensland’s Vaccine Plan to Unite Families.
With the Queensland average for full vaccination reaching 80.1 per cent, Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe urged Gold Coast residents not to be caught short.
“The Gold Coast has put in a superb effort with almost 87 per cent of residents getting their first jab, although double jab vaccination at 78 per cent falls short of the Queensland average,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Full vaccination is the only pathway to the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan for Gold Coast tourism.
“That’s why I’m encouraging residents to put in a determined vaccination effort this weekend to make sure the Gold Coast is safe and ready for Monday’s border reopening.”
Mr Hinchliffe was on the Gold Coast for the official opening of a state-of-the-art Slide and Splash Precinct at Village Roadshow’s Wet’n’Wild theme park at Oxenford.
The precinct includes a 27 metre tall slide tower – the Southern Hemisphere’s highest – with three slides; Kaboom!, Double Barrel and Super Ripper surrounded by the 870 m2 H2Oasis tropical splash zone.
“We partnered with Village Roadshow early in the pandemic on new theme park infrastructure,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Village Roadshow’s $70 million investment in new, world-class visitor experiences has already made a strong contribution to Queensland’s pandemic recovery.
“Creating the Slide and Splash precinct supported 200 construction jobs when they were needed most and 16 operational job opportunities.
“Today’s opening is perfectly timed for Monday’s early border reopening to fully vaccinated interstate visitors.
“Wet’n’Wild is a great example of tourism operators finding opportunity during the pandemic to rebuild better with new visitor experiences to accelerate our recovery.
“The Slide and Splash Precinct will be on the bucket lists of thousands of interstate holidaymakers this summer.”
Member for Gaven and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said Wet’n’Wild was a Gold Coast tourism icon.
“Our world-famous theme parks are part of what makes the Gold Coast Australia’s favourite visitor destination,” Ms Scanlon said.
“New theme park attractions are big vote of confidence in Gold Coast tourism.”
Village Roadshow CEO, Clark Kirby said the company’s mantra was to create joy and memories for guests and Wet’n’Wild’s new waterslides would do just that.
“Our new attraction will be a game-changer for Wet’n’Wild,” Mr Kirby said.
“It has something for the whole family. We’ve added the H2Oasis splash zone that will be perfect for younger guests, and for the adventurous, we offer Australia’s tallest waterslide tower with three great new rides that will provide plenty of thrills and spills.
“Thanks to the Queensland Government’s support, we’ve not only come through COVID hardships but created an exciting experience that families will love.”
Village Roadshow is Australia’s largest theme park operator with Gold Coast attractions Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Paradise Country, and the Australian Outback Spectacular.
Wet’n’Wild’s Slide and Splash precinct includes:
- KABOOM! – a slide with a 10-metre drop, before spiralling down a 360-degree corkscrew
- Super Ripper – two, parallel, 12-metre-high slides
- Double Barrel – grab a partner and slide together
- H2Oasis – a tropical 870 m2 splash park with tipping buckets and water jets.
