Sovereign Hill is an incredible living museum chock full of actors and activities to make you feel like you’re living in the 1850s gold rush. Follow this guide to make the most of your day out at Sovereign Hill.
Melbourne
The ultimate guide to Luna Park
Luna Park in Melbourne is calling your name for non-stop thrills and fun for the whole family. Here’s all the information you need to visit Luna Park, plus how to access tickets at a discount.
Don’t miss out on boundless family fun at Luna Park in St Kilda this year! This traditional carnival park is Australia’s oldest, and its thrilling rides, mini roller coasters, fairy-floss and carnival fun have given millions of visitors lifelong memories. As you walk through the iconic giant mouth (fun fact: his name is Mr Moon) into this amusement park, here’s what you’ll need to know to best enjoy your day out.
Hours of entertainment await your family at Luna Park! Best of all, RACV Members get discounted tickets to Luna Park and other top attractions across Victoria and Australia.
Everything you need to know about Luna Park
What is Luna Park?
Luna Park is a historic amusement park in St Kilda, Melbourne that’s over 100 years old. It opened in 1912 to huge fanfare and was named after the original Luna Park on Coney Island, New York. In fact, there are several other Luna Parks around the world (including one in Sydney), but Melbourne’s is the best-preserved and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and Register of National Estate.
Where is Melbourne's Luna Park?
Luna Park is located at 18 Lower Avenue, St Kilda, about six kilometres south of Melbourne’s city centre. It’s right next to sunny St Kilda Beach, the grand Palais Theatre, and The Esplanade with its artsy Sunday market.
What are Luna Park Melbourne's opening hours?
Luna Park opens every day on the weekends, school holidays, and public holidays (except for Christmas Day). The park often announces additional opening hours, which you can check out here.
Mr Moon has had several facelifts over the years. Image: Luna Park.
How much are tickets to Luna Park?
Luna Park tickets that include entry and unlimited rides usually cost $51.50 per person for ages 13+, $41.50 for people aged 4-12 and $18 for people aged 0-3, but RACV Members get discounted tickets to Luna Park.
If you’re planning on visiting Luna Park multiple times in a year, you could also consider purchasing an Annual Pass. For $120 per person, you can visit Luna Park and enjoy unlimited rides whenever the Park is open to the general public.
Is there food and drink available at Luna Park?
Luna Park's onsite café, the Café Luna, serves hot meal combos and deli sandwiches. There are also multiple food stands throughout the Park offering carnival favourites like popcorn, snow cones, ice creams, donuts, fairy floss and curly fries. You may also bring your own food to Luna Park.
Is there parking at Luna Park?
If you’re driving, there is plenty of paid parking near Luna Park at council rates, which are $6 per hour or $16 daily until midnight (prices subject to change without notice by the Port Phillip City Council). Try parking at the Palais Theatre on Jacka Boulevard or the St Kilda Sea Baths, also on Jacka Boulevard.
How do I get to Luna Park on public transport?
If you’re catching public transport, the nearest tram stop is No. 138-Luna Park/The Esplanade (St Kilda), which is serviced by Tram 16, 3a (weekends only) and 96. The nearest train station is Balaclava Station on the Sandringham Line, from which you can catch Tram 16 to Stop No. 138. Use the arevo journey planner app to find the most efficient route to Luna Park.
What rides does Luna Park have?
Luna Park is packed full of rollercoasters, thrill rides, kids rides and carnival games. Its most famous ride is The Great Scenic Railway: a wooden rollercoaster that has been continuously running since Luna Park’s 1912 opening. This heritage-listed rollercoaster propels riders around the park boundaries, allowing for incredible views of Port Phillip Bay, and features a traditional standing brakeman in control of the moving carriages.
There are plenty of classic carnival rides like the Ghost Train, Carousel and Dodgems, as well as nail-biting thrill rides like the turbulent Power Surge and Pharaoh’s Curse. Kids will love fun rides like the Road Runner car, the Sky Rider ferris wheel, or the flying roundabout Red Baron ride.
Don’t miss the carnival games that have called Luna Park home for over 100 years, like the classic Laughing Clowns, Knockems and dart-popping Big Bang balloons.
Luna Park backs on to O'Donnell Gardens in St Kilda. Image: Visit Victoria
Do any rides at Luna Park have height or age restrictions?
Yes, several rides at Luna Park require people to reach a certain height to meet the ride’s safety requirements.
People under 110cm may ride:
- Red Baron
- Happy Swing
- Betty Choo Choo (if riding with an adult)
People at least 110cm tall may ride:
- The Great Scenic Railway
- Moon Balloons
- Ghost Train
- Coney Drop
- Twin Dragon
- Spider
- Carousel
- Arabian Merry.
People at least 120 tall may also ride:
- Sky Rider
- Road Runner
- Pharaoh’s Curse
- Enterprise
- Dodgems
- Speedy Beetle.
People over 130cm tall may ride The Power Surge, while people over 140cm tall may ride Supernova.
People with health requirements such as heart problems, high blood pressure, pregnancy, neck or back injuries, recent surgery, or casts, moon boots or injured bones cannot embark on any rides at Luna Park.
Acland Street is close to Luna Park and has several renowned cake shops and cafes. Image: Visit Victoria
Can I hire Luna Park for an event, or have a birthday party at Luna Park?
Luna Park is a popular destination for kids’ birthday parties, which are held on the restored W Class Party Tram with retro booth seating for 8-32 guests. Partygoers receive a hot lunch, party food pack, and unlimited ride tickets all day.
Various spaces in Luna Park can be booked for adult events like engagement parties, including the Party Tram, the outdoor Garden Terrace, the heritage event venue Luna Palace, the Moon Deck with views of Port Phillip Bay, the glamorous Stardust Room, or even the entire Luna Park.
Cafés, restaurants and bars near Luna Park in St Kilda
It’s easy to make a great day out in St Kilda if you’re visiting Luna Park. Why not visit the beautiful St Kilda Botanic Gardens or sunny St Kilda Beach before you hop aboard your first ride in Luna Park? If you visit St Kilda Pier at sunset, there’s even a chance you’ll see Little Penguins coming ashore to sleep. You can catch a show as the Astor Theatre or Palais Theatre, go for a swim at the Sea Baths, or pop in to the Victorian Pride Centre.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Donovan’s, Republica or Stokehouse for oceanfront views with delicious Australian fare. Bar Di Stasio, Rococo and Cicciolina are all great Italian options.
If you’re after a more casual drink, try The Prince Hotel or the Espy (Hotel Esplanade). For dessert, there are plenty of renowned cake shops along Acland Street, like Black Star Pastry, the Acland Cake Shop, and Europa Cake Shop.
