The Story
of Australian Roller Coasters is a fascinating history that spans
the late 19th, 20th and early 21st centuries. Reading any Aussie
newspaper of the late 19th century, you'd discover that people
thought roller coasters were a nuisance and were intolerant of them.
In 1888 the Executive Commission of the Melbourne International
Centennial Exhibition scoffed at the idea of including sideshows and
a roller coaster at the prestigious exhibition. Despite the
resistance of some local residents, the Executive Commission members
voted 3-2 to include a Switchback Railway at the exhibition. It
ended up being one of the few attractions that generated income and
was the saviour of the exhibition, so the Commission were spared
complete embarrassment. During the nine months that the Switchback
Railway was in operation, more than 390,000 people enjoyed a ride on
it.
Here are only a few examples of
what you'll read about in this Unique, 127 year Australian History.
- People who designed our
Gravity Railways, Switchback Railways and Scenic Railways.
- The inspiration New Zealand
architect Edmunde Anscombe, who in 1925 saved the New Zealand,
Dunedin South Seas Exhibition from disaster.
- Our Controversial Big Dippers
and Wonderland Theme Park, and why they did'nt survive.
- An Interview with Australia's
our only roller coaster designer, Phil Hammond, about the Orphan
Rocker in Katoomba.
- A line up of modern day
coasters and the thrills you experience on them.
- A general overview of roller
coaster history.
The Book Features
- Some Beautiful photos gathered
in Australia, New Zealand and the United States
- a Comprehensive timeline
including most Australian and New Zealand roller coasters
- a Glossary
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