All the Fun of the Fair at Sydney's Luna Park Article

Enjoy spectacular views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and the whole panorama of this beautiful water-edged city from the slowly moving Ferris wheel.

Ride a galloping horse, a racing cockerel or a giant swan on the brightly painted antique carousel, as you swirl around to the tunes of old-fashioned organ music.

Walk further into Luna Park past an array of sideshow attractions. Small children love popping balls into the big mouths of the laughing clowns, and a prize is guaranteed. Older children and adults throw darts and aim balls to win prizes or show off their strength on the High Striker.

Parents and their children line up to bump each other in the dodgems or to have a water fight at Water Wars.

Coney Island has the flavor of an old-fashioned amusement hall. Children and adults alike hurtle themselves down the slides or roll around in the Barrels of Fun.

One of the most stomach-churning, scream-inducing rides is the Ranger. It swings from side to side, gaining height, before stopping while you are upside down, and turning you through 360 degrees.

There is a special section designed especially for the youngest children. They can have fun on four rides with different themes: cars, space shuttles, a magic castle, and a mini-Ferris Wheel.

Luna Park has several cafes and stalls where you can buy meals, snacks and drinks. As these refreshments tend to be quite expensive, an enjoyable alternative is to bring your own picnic lunch and eat it in the dedicated picnic area of Lavender Green at the end of the park.

When planning a trip to Luna Park, bear in mind that the park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the school term. On Fridays and Saturdays, the park stays open until late in the evening and becomes a glittering landmark, illuminated in the dark.

Luna Park is easily accessible by ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour to Milsons Point. It is a short walk from Milsons Point railway station and several bus routes stop nearby.

There is no entrance fee. You can walk through the wide open mouth at the entrance gates and stroll through the park for free. If you wish to go on the rides, you will need to purchase tickets at one of the ticket offices. You can choose from single ride tickets, a sampler pass, or an unlimited rides pass.

If you are short of time or wish to go on just one or two rides, singe ride tickets are the most cost-effective option. The sampler pass gives unlimited access to the Ferris wheel, Carousel and Coney Island, as well as a free fairground game.

If you will be staying for the whole day, the unlimited rides pass is the best option. There are three types of unlimited rides pass that are sold according to height: red is for the smallest children, then green, and finally yellow for older children and adults. The type of pass bought will determine which rides you are allowed to go on ? those with a yellow pass can go on all of the rides unaccompanied, while those with green or red passes can only go on certain rides and must be accompanied by an adult on others. There are color-coded height charts next to the entrance gates and the ticket offices.

Luna Park is the ideal place to spend a memorable day out, whatever your age and interests.

Pearlie Merlo wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide great deals on Sydney flights and other Australia flights

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