Last Year to Ride the Ekka Chairlift

[tooheyzz]

Was on the news today 2009 ekka will be the last time the chairlift will operate as it will be pulled down as part of the redevelopment
The chairlift first operated in 1971 at a cost of 40c

Sad to see this go i have memories of riding the chairlift many many years ago
and the nerve racking experience of jumping on as the chair came from behind

also to go is the Industrial Pavilion (where the show bags are) although there are plans for the facade to be part of a new building

[Zamperla]

Really disappointing news. I'm glad I caught one last ride on it in 2008, was a really long chairlift too.

In a decade we've lost a huge number of operating chairlifts: (work in progress list)

- Moore Park NSW
- Arthurs Seat VIC
- Dreamworld QLD
- EKKA (post-2009) QLD
- Melbourne Showgrounds VIC
- Adelaide Showgrounds SA

Only remaining are:

- Hobart Showgrounds TAS
- Stanley Gorge TAS [longest single span in the world]
- Carribean Gardens (VIC, privately owned market)
- Jamberoo Rec Park NSW
- Toronga Park Zoo NSW
- Perth Showgrounds WA
- Adventureworld WA
- Karanda QLD

- various downhill ski lifts in NSW & VIC

can anyone think of anymore?

[redhot]

Really disappointing news. I'm glad I caught one last ride on it in 2008, was a really long chairlift too.

In a decade we've lost the majority of operating chairlifts.

- Moore Park NSW
- Arthurs Seat VIC
- Dreamworld QLD
- EKKA (post-2009) QLD
- Melbourne Showgrounds VIC

Only remaining are:

- Hobart Showgrounds TAS
- Carribean Gardens (VIC, privately owned market)
- various downhill ski lifts in NSW & VIC

can anyone think of anymore?

jamberoo

[CoinKing]

perth royal show has one

[Vee]

perth royal show has one

Yeah, there is one at Adventure World too

[Josh in Rocky]

Does the one at Sea world still exist?

[tooheyzz]

Do they still load riders with the chair not actually stopping
I would imagine this would be a insurance nightmare if they do

[Zamperla]

Mattie has a funny story relating to this part that he witnessed at Dreamworld, if I'm not mistaken?

[Force10]

Isn't this the only way to load a chairlift? I would imagine stopping and starting constantly wouldn't be good for it...?

[Hurricane]

They do it at Sea World, and they DID at Wonderland if i'm not correct. And did this story your talking about involve Mattie falling on his butt?

[scorpionSA]

There used to be one at the Adelaide Show too which was lost in redevelopment. Was meant to appear the next year on the other side of the showground - but still haven't seen it. I persoally thought it might have disintegrated when they tried to move it, it was so old!

[DEEFA DODGEM]

There's another one in Tasmania. At Cataract Gorge, just out of Launceston.

[kiwi]

Sea World now stops and starts the chair lift for loading / unloading. As seen chairs are in sets of 4, spread out so they stop at either end at the same time

[Dazzleland]

Sorry to bring up a 1 year old topic, but I do remember seeing a chairlift at Granite Island in Victor Harbour. I've been on it when I was 6 years old. Unfortunately, that one indeed disappeared!

[HUSSRAINBOW]

and SEAWORLDs SKYWAY is closed... along with BERMUDA TRIANGLE

[Dazzleland]

and SEAWORLDs SKYWAY is closed... along with BERMUDA TRIANGLE

Bummer! I've only been on the Skyway once...
Why did they close?!

[HUSSRAINBOW]

who knows, from the first station near the parks entrance, they are doing some work... so maybe it could be cos of construction... the cars weren't on the cable either

[Hurricane]

The Skyway at Sea World will be returning mid September. The construction work around the main station near the entrance is for the new penguin attraction opening in December. So no need to worry about that dissappearing, yet.