At the beginning of the 20th century the worldwide phenomenon of the new generation amusement park made its way to Glenelg. Unfortunately, after four short years, our loss was to be Sydney�s gain.

In 1902 the American public was awestruck by the first science fiction film �A Trip to the Moon�. Frederick Thompson and Elmer �Skip� Dundy became interested in the concept of space travel and together created the new ride at New York�s Coney Island based on a lunar voyage. The ride �A Trip to the Moon� was an overnight success so Thompson and Dundy decided to gamble on their idea. They borrowed a huge sum on US$700,000 to build a new amusement park within Coney Island. In keeping with the space theme, Thompson and Dundy named their new venture Luna Park. It would focus on the newest rides and the latest technology the world had to offer, starting with Thomas Edison�s new invention � electric light. Thompson and Dundee had only US$11 between them on opening night but in six weeks they had repaid their enormous dept. By 1907 they employed some 1700 staff and the park was illuminated by 1.3 million electric lights at a cost of US$5600 a week. Almost a municipality in itself, the park had its own telegraph office, radio office and long distance telephone service.

Luna Park�s immediate success can be summed up in Fredrick Thompson�s philosophy and observations of his fellow man. Visitors to a seaside resort �are not in the mood, and do not want to encounter seriousness in their everyday lives, and the keynote of the thing they do demand is change. Everything must be different from ordinary experience. What is presented to them must have life, action, motion, sensation, surprise, shock, swiftness or else comedy�.

Meanwhile a penniless Canadian, James Dixon Williams, came to Australia and, seeking to cash in on the success in the United States, joined forces with American entrepreneur Herman Phillips and opened Luna Park in Melbourne in 1912. The park proved to be popular and was the forerunner to another that Philips would build at Glenelg. Herman Phillips hired showman David Atkins, who had worked fun fairs all his adult life, and mining engineer Ted Hopkins, and the park was completed in 1930.

Despite the depression, or perhaps because of it, the crowds flocked to Glenelg to ride the Big Dipper, Old Mill and Noah�s Ark or play a penny arcade. It wasn�t at all unusual to see a scarlet or gold uniformed official pushing a wheelbarrow of coins from the penny arcade to the office to be counted. The coin-op amusement machines of the day were as popular as the rides, with strength tester, fortune tellers, electric shock devices and the bagatelle, forerunners to the pinball machine.

Luna Park at Glenelg opened with great success- but frustrations became evident soon after. Local residents complained about undesirables and carnival types associated wit the park. In response the local authorities withheld permission to open some of the �sinful� rides on Sundays. With most of its popular rides closed, the crowds began to dwindle. The company also found it hard to make a profit because of the prevailing economic condition, despite a reduction in rent. After only for years Herman Phillips sent David Atkins to Sydney to find a new site for Luna Park.

Coincidentally, Sydney Harbour Bridge was nearing completion and the land that was used for the harbour side workshop was now available. The Government, thinking that an amusement park with a proposed municipal pool might attract traffic over the bridge and stimulate commercial activity in the area, granted a 20 year lease.

Back in Adelaide, Hopkins dismantled all the rides, marking each section and making meticulous drawings so they could be easily reassembled in Sydney. In June 1935 Hopkins charted a boat from Glenelg to carry its 1300 tonne cargo of fun to its new Sydney home.

Magic Mountain opened in December 1982 and closed on July 18 2004. Magic Mountain was popular among the young and "young at heart", but had also been criticised for its design, which was likened to a "giant dog dropping".

On the original site of Luna Park and Magic Mountain, the Beachouse opened its doors in July 2006 and launched Australia�s first single arm ferris wheel in September 2008. Packed with Australian first and world class attractions, the Beachouse makes for a perfect day out for the whole family.

Taking pride of place at the Beachouse is Australia�s oldest Carousel; steeped in history this is the same Carousel that was once an attraction at Glenelg�s Luna Park. It is romantic to think that your children can delight in a ride on the same Carousel that would have been enjoyed by your Grandparents� in the early 1900�s. After its long history down the bay the Carousel has been returned to its former glory, undergoing a two year restoration and continues to delight young and old.