As the familiar theme to PAW Patrol, a cartoon series beloved by preschoolers everywhere, blasts out of the speakers my four-year-old son goes into overdrive.
“Marshall, Marshall,” he shouts as a giant Dalmatian in fireman’s helmet dances ponderously across the stage.
By the time Chase, the quick-witted Alsatian police dog, pads out the tiny tots are in screaming frenzy worthy of a stadium gig by Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga.
The high-energy floorshow, PAW Patrol on Holiday, is just one component of the giant marine and entertainment complex known as Sea World, but for Myles the pups are the absolute focus of our trip to the Gold Coast.
Like the rest of the fans Myles is soon shakin’ and groovin’ to the Pup Pup Boogie, but his morning reaches epic proportions when he is invited to join Marshall and Chase for an impromptu dance routine on stage.
Overcome with excitement, my voluble son momentarily loses the power of speech. But the look of delight on his face says everything.
In the weeks leading up our holiday a Sea World promotion had been was running on commercial television and Myles was an easy target for the sale pitch.
“Daddy, are we going to Nickelodeon on the Gold Coast?” he repeatedly asks with fervent anticipation.
As a child I’d been taken to a Butlins holiday camp in southwest England and imagined that Australia’s theme parks would offer the same mass market, regimented and somewhat joyless experience but with more sunshine.
But Sea World, launched by Keith Williams in 1971, is a forward-looking marine mammal park with a demonstrable commitment to the rehabilitation to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife; each year Sea World & Rescue Foundation rescues around 50 injured turtles.
Once through the main Sea World entrance what greets the visitor is beautifully landscaped site, complete with adventure rides, roller coasters, aquariums, performance spaces and even a monorail. In line with its marine focus, the park features several lakes, lagoons and artificial reefs. Apart from watching highly choreographed performances by dolphins and seals, the park also offers plenty of opportunities to interact with polar bears, penguins, dolphins, sea lions and other creatures.
Elsewhere, Thunder Lake, the park’s largest expanse of water, is the backdrop for an explosive show featuring wakeboarding, waterskiing and even BMX bike stunts.
As Sea World prepares for its 50th birthday in 2021 its owners, Village Roadshow, are constantly improving and expanding its portfolio, adding several new attractions, such as its new $4m whale watching vessel Spirit of Migaloo II. Three new high-powered rides, part of The New Atlantis precinct, are expected to open this summer.
While many of Sea World’s major crowd pleasers, such as the Sky Flyer and Storm Coaster rides, are clearly pitched at a teenage audience, the park has plenty of gentler options for younger children. Myles particularly loved Dora’s Fiesta Carousel and Banana Boogie – both of which were operated to the highest safety standards and involved only modest queuing times.
As a theme park newbie I was naturally dubious about Sea World’s claims to be a wildlife sanctuary. Surely this was just an opportunistic marketing strategy to widen the park’s appeal? But the commitment to animal welfare is genuine and evident across the multifaceted site.
Our family was particularly impressed with the mesmerizing Sea Jellies Illuminated exhibition, which takes the visitor deep into the fascinating world of these ungainly but strangely bewitching marine creatures.
“Daddy, come and look at his one,” shouts Myles, running from one illuminated tank to another, marveling at these weird floating umbrellas in electric pink, green and blue.
Often despised in Australia for their anti-social behavior we learn to see jellyfish in an entirely new light, dazzled by Blue Blubbers, Moon Jellies and Upside Down Jellies.
The exhibition was jointly created by Griffith University which also runs a state-of-the-art research facility in the same building. Scientists are conducting major research into one the world’s least understood marine species.
Despite our newfound passion for jellyfish, we have an appointment at the Nickelodeon Stage. I know that we are not leaving the Gold Coast until Myles meets his feckless canine superheroes in person.
Bring it on pups, we are ready for you.
TRIP NOTES
Mark Chipperfield visited Sea World as a guest of Village Roadshow Theme Parks.
VISIT
A single day pass to Sea World is $89 (adult) and $79 (child 3-13). Three day passes to Movie World, Wet’n’Wild and Sea World costs $139 per person. Tickets cover the cost of standard rides, shows and attractions. Other options, such as the Tropical Reef Snorkel, Dolphin Deep Water Adventure and Seal Aqua Adventure, must be booked separately. See seaworld.com.au
STAY
voco Gold Coast is a stylish, child-friendly hotel in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Sea World is a 20-minute bus ride from the hotel. Rooms from $148 a night. See goldcoast.vocohotels.com
Picture credit: All images supplied by Sea World; picture of Myles by Mark Chipperfield