Fun park closes after 10 years

Wonderland Junior Fun Park has closed its doors after a decade in Docklands, but will be reopening at Federation Square this September.

Having been part of the Docklands furniture for the last 10 years, the park originally operated on Pearl River Road adjacent to the O’Brien Icehouse, but moved to underneath the Melbourne Star in 2015.

As its lease ended this year, however, park owners Wonderland Entertainment and Leisure could not agree to new terms with management and shut its doors on July 14.

A statement said the closure was also down to “a change in the area’s demographics”.

In positive news, however, the park will open its doors again at The Paddock in Federation Square on September 12.

And in perhaps the biggest news yet, live entertainment travelling tent the Wonderland Spiegeltent will also feature at the new location.

The Spiegeltent, Dutch for “mirror tent”, has welcomed world-class performers and productions over the years, including the annual Blues Music Festival, Mystique Illusion and comedians Dave Hughes and Jimeoin.

From its inception, Wonderland Junior (previously Wonderland Fun Park) in Docklands saw over one and a half million visitors experience amusement favourites including the Wacky Worm Roller Coaster, Crazy Wave, Dodgem Cars, Dragon Flyer and the beloved Teacups and Grand Carousel, along with special school holiday and seasonal events programming.

For more information about the Wonderland Spiegeltent Festival at Federation Square (September 12 to October 20) visit wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au