Thrillseeker, Steel roller coaster at Sea World, Gold Coast, Australia
Thrillseeker is a steel roller coaster at Sea World on the Gold Coast that spans over 1,000 meters of track and reaches speeds of 65 kilometers per hour. The ride takes roughly two minutes and moves through several turns and dips, with a chain lift hill bringing the cars to about 14 meters high.
The ride opened in 1982 under the name Wild Wave Rollercoaster as part of Sea World's lineup, following the Galaxi model design made by S.D.C. It closed at the park in 2002 and was then relocated to continue operating elsewhere.
In the 1980s, this ride became part of the Gold Coast's shift toward larger amusement attractions, drawing families who wanted thrills beyond traditional seaside activities. It helped establish the region as an entertainment destination that could compete with other Australian tourism hotspots.
The ride operates with three trains carrying two cars each, with rides lasting about two minutes per cycle. Visitors should expect tight turns and rapid direction changes, especially through the dips and spiral sections.
After closing at Sea World, this ride found new life as a traveling attraction owned by Shorts Amusements in Victoria, where it operates under the new name Taipan. This second career reveals how well the original machine was built to continue running safely many years later.
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