I ended up actually going there one fine weekend day. For decades, this retro-style theme park in North Sydney, located at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, has been a beloved spot among locals and tourists alike.
There was not a cloud in the sky that day, with the blue ocean and blue sky spreading out everywhere before me. The contrast against the Sydney cityscape in the distance was just lovely, putting me in a buoyant mood just walking around.
The huge face gate towering over the entrance confers a strange and unique vibe. Staff members dressed in clown suits with hula hoops in hand joyfully greeted us in front of the gate. The friendly way they called out to us instantly made me feel like a little kid, and I had them take pictures with me.
We wondered where we were supposed to buy tickets as we entered the gate, but were surprised to learn that entry is free. Japanese amusement parks typically have an entry fee as well as attraction-specific fees, but Luna Park doesn’t charge people anything to wander the grounds—making it perfect for a little walk or sightseeing.
Of course, you have to buy tickets to ride the rides, but just being at the seaside park with its colorful retro ambiance makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. You can have plenty of fun just looking around.
Inside the park are the standard Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and roller coasters, each of them nostalgically designed in some way. It took me back to when I would visit local theme parks in Japan as a kid, since it looks so much like the neighborhood amusement parks that were popular in the middle and latter part of the last century back home.
One thing that really struck me was the view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the park. Gazing out at the water being kicked up by the wind, with the ferry going back and forth, felt like a luxurious treat in itself. The lights in the park started coming on as it neared evening, transforming the entire place with their magical glow.
There were benches and cafés right outside the park, and the sight of families and couples taking it easy and enjoying themselves really struck me. Some had picnic lunches spread in front of them, while others were just wandering around enjoying the view with ice cream in hand. I loved how it was both an amusement park and a place people went to wind down and relax.
Luna Park Sydney isn’t just an amusement park, it’s a place you can casually wander into and enjoy the natural beauty and sights of the area. The combination of the way you can just walk right in without tickets, the nostalgic vibe, and the uniquely beautiful Sydney views makes it a spot that even adults can thoroughly enjoy.
There were actually some roller coasters I wanted to ride there, but I wasn’t quite able to muster up the courage that day. Next time I’m there, I’m going to challenge myself to get on some of the rides so I can experience the wonders of Luna Park even more thoroughly.
