Sea World crowned Australia’s most popular tourist attraction

Australia’s Gold Coast claimed three of the top four spots in a new tourism study released yesterday, with Sea World crowned Australia’s most popular tourist attraction of all-time.

The Newspoll study, which surveyed Australian adults from across the country, found 56 percent had been to Sea World, pipping Dreamworld (51 percent).

Both parks beat out the world-famous Taronga Zoo (47 percent), with Movie World in fourth and Wet’n’Wild equal fifth.

The Sunshine Coast’s Australia Zoo came in 12th in a top 20 featuring such Aussie icons as Sydney’s Luna Park and Sea Life Aquarium.

Sea World’s win over fierce rivals Dreamworld can be tempered by the fact the aquatic-themed park has been operating for ten years longer than its cross-town competitor.

Dreamworld turned the tables in a follow-up question on the survey, coming in first place in the list of attractions people want to visit in the next two years.

It is a significant achievement for both theme parks, with the Newspoll survey coinciding with the release of new tourism statistics showing international visitors to the Gold Coast increased by 10 per cent last year — more than double any other region in Queensland.

Gold Coast Tourism spokesman Ben Pole said the Newspoll result showed the Tourist Strip was justified to claim the mantle as Australia’s holiday capital.

“The Gold Coast is Australia’s most popular holiday destination, and it is thanks quality attractions like these that we continue to entice nearly 12 million visitors every year,” he said.

“This is the best kind of recognition as it comes straight from the people who are investing their money, their time, and their hopes in the Gold Coast as their holiday destination of choice.

Founded in 1971 by the late Keith Williams, one of the Gold Coast’s most colourful entrepreneurs, Sea World transformed a piece of vacant scrub on the Southport Spit in to a world-famous tourist attraction which welcomes more than five million visitors a year.

Park spokesman Darrin Davies said Sea World was constantly evolving with baby polar bear Henry and a new roller-coaster set to keep crowds pouring in.

“This is a great honour for Sea World and all who work here,” he said.

“We believe our marine park is one of the best in the world and to receive this recognition confirms that.”

Hannah Banks, of Brunswick Heads in northern NSW, yesterday took her young family to Sea World and agreed with the park’s No. 1 ranking.

“It has the wildlife and that whole conservation message which I find really appealing,” she said.

“It’s definitely my favorite out of all the parks.”